There's only a few clubs this year that had pitchers going whole games. Why doesn't it happen anymore? I'm not saying it should be a fairly regular occurance, but once in awhile would be nice to see. There are some great pitchers out there that could do it. Being a Red Sox fan, I've seen Tito pull the pitchers a few times just because it was the ninth inning and they're pitch count was over 100. Last night being a great example of that with Beckett. I just think it would put a bit more heart into the game again. Who else out there wants to be able to cheer for their pitcher when they're having a great night and taking care of business?
2006-09-22 13:57:04 · 14 answers · asked by arkev_xius 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Tavarez just recorded his first complete game since 2000 and the second one this season since Wakefield's back in April. Talk about open mouth insert foot. Thanks for the responses though.
2006-09-22 15:08:24 · update #1
It's a very good question. I was just watching Behind the Glory on Kirk Gibson's home run today, and it alluded to an important even, Orel Hersheiser's 10 inning shutout. That would never happen today. Blame it on caution, blame it on old age, it's tough to get a good reason.
2006-09-22 13:59:54 · answer #1 · answered by phat tonez 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pitchers have gotten too strong for their own good. look at guys like maddox, never hits 90, never goes on DL. the training has evolved to where guys are getting so strong the are damaging their bodies with their bodies. so managers keep outings to 7 innings unless they guy is in a groove and it is an important game. also the game has evolved to where hitting is better, the hitters have film to study pitchers and by the time they come up to the plate for the third time, usually they have a pretty good chance of doing some damage. Specialization has also become one of the reasons, closers are making big money and are really good for an inning or two 3 or 4 times a week. basically, the game has evolved faster than humans can.
2006-09-22 14:04:46 · answer #2 · answered by jezusjones 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well now that relief pitching has become a huge thing manangers dont want a chance of tiring their starters arms out. Seems kind of weird because now the pitchers have the best ways to work themselves out, but managers are just cautious. Wang pitcher 7 innings only 82 pitches today and he was taken out. Im sure he could have finished the game but torre doesnt want him to get hurt before the playoffs, that is understandable.
2006-09-22 15:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Andrew B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well what happened was that teams figured out that they could keep pitchers fresher for late in the season, reduce injuries, increase effectiveness in each outing, and win more, by using specialists out of the bullpen. you don't know that pitch count was the only reason they were pulled, the team may have been concerned about something that was sore, the next batter may hit that starter really well, maybe one of the bullpen guys needed work. i would like to see more complete games, but not at the expense of more injuries, blown leads because the starter got tired and tossed up a fat one, and most of all not at the expense of overall play
2006-09-22 14:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by C_Millionaire 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totall agree. The strting pitcher doesn't even record a win or loss half the time. Most of the time I'm rooting for the closer or setup man.(especiall when Jared Wright pitches)
2006-09-22 14:05:52 · answer #5 · answered by masteropponent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That concept went out about the same time as Ferguson Jenkins (29 complete games in 1974) decision to retire.
With todays concept of "relief specialist" and managers with trigger happy fingers like Sparky "my way or the highway"..Captain Hook" Anderson the pitch count always gets them before the 27th out does.
2006-09-25 23:44:12 · answer #6 · answered by TxRngerFan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say the big contracts that closers now get. Ten, twenty years ago there was no talk about closers. Now they get paid just as much as anyone else for pitching one inning. And many times they have strict wording in their contract which provides bonuses for innings pitched. So managers don't want to piss off their closers.
2006-09-22 15:08:29 · answer #7 · answered by JoJoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pitchers today are being turned into wimps. It not their fault, just the ball club wants to protect their investment and not care about an individual's record as much.
2006-09-22 14:07:32 · answer #8 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS ALL STARTED WITH SPARKY ANDERSON AND
THE BIG RED MACHINE WHEN HE WAS KNOWN AS
"CAPTAIN HOOK" AND CONTINUED BY TONY
LARUSSA. I AGREE IT MAKES NO SENSE. IF THE PITCHER IS PITCHING WELL LEAVE HIM IN. I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT CHANGE AGAIN AFTER LAST YEARS WORLD SERIES WHEN THE WHITE SOX PITCHERS WERE PITCHING COMPLETE GAMES BUT
UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT TO BE.
2006-09-22 14:41:26 · answer #9 · answered by Levittown Tony 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money,
Owners: I'm not going to send a guy that I'm paying 12million a year out there to get injured when I can have a fresh arm come in and finish the game out.
Players: I cant make 12million a year if my arm is swiss cheese.
2006-09-22 14:08:39 · answer #10 · answered by Dan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋