I understand. I simply think it's easier to pitch on a poor team. There is no pressure. I don't think Dickey would produce the same way under the pressure of a pennant race. Mindfact? 
Why not test the hypothesis - what you're saying, is that pitchers on poor teams outperform pitchers on good teams because of less pressure. Maybe start with the rest of the Mets' staff, they must have had GREAT years.
