Hold? What is the definition of a "Hold" in the box score pitcher record?

Answer 1

A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who:

1. enters the game in a save situation; that is, one of the following three conditions applies:
- his team has a lead of no more than three runs (and he pitches at least one inning)
- the potential tying run is either on base, at bat, or on deck
- he pitches for at least three innings after entering the game
2. records at least one out;
3. and leaves the game without his team having relinquished the lead at any point.

Note that since the hold is not an official MLB statistic, the definition above can vary. One noticeable difference is that while STATS Inc. requires the pitcher to record at least one out for a hold, SportsTicker does not have this requirement. This can result in discrepancies in hold totals between different sources.[1]


Description
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A hold should not be confused with its more famous cousin, the save, even though technically all pitchers who earn holds have (by definition) entered the game with an opportunity to save the game.

Holds are widely considered to be a problematic statistic, as a player can receive a hold for even a relatively ineffective performance. For instance, if a player enters with a 1-run lead, records one out, loads the bases, and is pulled, that player would still be credited with a hold. In fact, it is even possible for a player to receive a hold and a loss in the same game (in the preceding example, if the next pitcher then gave up a home run, the original pitcher would take the loss, as he was responsible for the runners on base). Using the SportsTicker definition makes it even worse -- for instance, a pitcher can come in with a 2-run lead, give up a home run to the only batter he faces, leave, and still be credited with a hold.

Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game. A pitcher can receive a hold by protecting a lead even if that lead is lost by a later pitcher after his exit.

The hold was invented in 1986 by John Dewan and Mike O'Donnell to give a statistical measure of the effectiveness of the vast majority of relief pitchers who are afforded few opportunities to close a game. While middle relievers earn their share, holds are most often credited to setup pitchers.

While holds are not an official MLB statistic, they are increasingly visible in many box scores, including MLB.com. Many fantasy baseball providers also include holds as an optional category which can be included in customized leagues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hold_%28baseball%29

Answer 2

A hold is given to a pitcher who comes into the game in a save situation, and exits the game without having relinquished the lead.

Since it's not an official MLB statistic, there are some slight variations on how a hold is recorded. Some stats-tracking sites require that a pitcher record an out to be credited with a hold, while others don't have that same requirement.

Answer 3

A hold is not an official stat, but a pitcher is said to earn a hold when he, enters the game with a lead, gets at least one out, and exits the game with the lead intact. A pitcher can't get a hold and a save in the same game though.

Answer 4

I hope you're not using holds for your fantasy league. That statistic is pretty lousy to use in a league...

Basically, the pitcher is awarded a hold when his team is winning by 3 runs or less, and he records one out or more without giving up the lead (but does not finish the game- then that would be a save).

Answer 5

hi, i do no longer think of any pitcher will, with an popular 32.4 starts off according to 300 and sixty 5 days they might decide to have over 11 ok's according to game. except a tumbler can circulate 8-9 innings each game then the 383 isn't uncomplicated sufficient to catch. The severe salaries & how the sport has replaced so a strategies as pitching professionals from the seventh inning on preclude them from an entire game.

Answer 6

To be honest, I have never heard of that stat but I would imagine that it refers to a pitcher that comes into a game with his team in the lead and leaves the game with his team still in the lead.

Answer 7

Means he holds the other team scoreless. Rafael Betancourt is the master at the. 1.17 ERA and has only allowed 1 inherited runner to score all year.

Answer 8

if a pitcher comes in and "holds" a lead, doesnt surrender the lead in a game

Answer 9

If the setup man doesn't blow the lead, it's a hold, get it, hold as in hold the lead?