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I've been wondering for a while about why there are so much fewer complete games than just a couple of decades ago. Are pitchers that much different? What's going on?
FINALLY I got a clear answer!
I've been wondering for a while about why there are so much fewer complete games than just a couple of decades ago. Are pitchers that much different? What's going on?
FINALLY I got a clear answer!
It was during the 9/23/2018 Dodgers/Padres game. 6-0 blowout in the 5th inning so announcers have to fill up the time. Hershiser starts talking about why there were more complete games in the 1980s-90s than today.
He starts right about here and it goes on for a while.
Executive summary: Batters have MUCH more detailed scouting reports on pitchers now. Pitchers have to go all out on each pitch and get tired quicker. <end>
Executive summary: Batters have MUCH more detailed scouting reports on pitchers now. Pitchers have to go all out on each pitch and get tired quicker. <end>
This is similar to the change from the dead ball era to the 1920s-30s. Back in the dead ball era, pitchers could pitch "casually" to the many weak hitters in each lineup. Save their energy for the best hitters and complete games were commonplace.
After 1920 the ball was juiced, spitballs were banned. The weaker hitters were now a threat to jack one out. Pitchers worked harder, fewer complete games.
Video and computers (stats!) have done the same thing to separate the 1980s-90s from the 2000s-2010s.
Video and computers (stats!) have done the same thing to separate the 1980s-90s from the 2000s-2010s.
Orel had a other good stories later that game.
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In the 1980s they were starting to pay attention to pitch counts. For the Dodgers, pitching coach Perranoski would track pitches with a clicker.
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In the 1980s they were starting to pay attention to pitch counts. For the Dodgers, pitching coach Perranoski would track pitches with a clicker.
If Orel threw a lot of pitches in one inning, and he wanted to go deeper that game, he'd wait until Perry went to the bathroom. Then he'd change the clicker to knock off 20 or so pitches so he could pitch more innings.
The most pitches Orel ever threw in a game was ***169***.
That was on the last day of the season in 1989. He went 11 innings to beat Atlanta. I remembered that game. At the time I thought he was going for the ERA title and needed more scoreless innings.
That was on the last day of the season in 1989. He went 11 innings to beat Atlanta. I remembered that game. At the time I thought he was going for the ERA title and needed more scoreless innings.
(he finished with 2.31. The league leader had 2.28).
But no! Orel said he was a game under .500 and wanted to break even for the season. He asked Lasorda to leave him in the game until the Dodgers won or lost. (If they lost, he wouldn't be just ONE game under .500)
But no! Orel said he was a game under .500 and wanted to break even for the season. He asked Lasorda to leave him in the game until the Dodgers won or lost. (If they lost, he wouldn't be just ONE game under .500)
1989 was a weird year for Orel. His stats were just about as good as his SUPER AMAZING 1988 year. But he finished 15-15 because the Dodger had a crummy team in 1989.
