Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Forty Years Ago, Pitchers Threw Less Than Is Believed’
I enjoyed Tim Marchman’s column, “Forty Years Ago, Pitchers Throw Less Than Is Believed,” that appeared in the May 15, 2007 issue.
Mr. Marchman notes that the typical top-10 ERA finishers in 1966 were 8% less effective in the latter third of games than they were in the first two thirds of games.
In contrast, top-10 ERA finishers in 2006 were 17% more effective in the latter third of games.
He suggests that having a good relief pitcher is a better strategy than letting the star pitcher complete the game. I wonder if this statistic is misleading.
Imagine a game in 1973 with Tom Seaver pitching for the Mets, who were leading 7-1 in the ninth inning of a game. If memory serves me correctly, pitchers like Tom Seaver would complete many of those games.
He might, however, relax with such a large lead in the ninth inning and give up a couple of runs. I would like to see a statistic of how the top pitchers pitched in the eighth and ninth innings when the game was close.
I do not remember star pitchers letting too many of those games get away.
The change in baseball that fascinates me is keeping a pitch count for pitchers.
“Uh-oh, he is now up to 100 pitches!s” This has developed to protect pitchers from injuries.
As a fan, it seems that pitchers get hurt at least as often as they did before. Remember those three wonderful young arms the Mets had — Pulsipher, Wilson, and Isrengausen.
So many young pitchers we have seen between the last 10 and 15 years have had serious arm injuries. Are there any data to support the notion that limiting pitch counts reduces injuries?
I wonder what Nolan Ryan’s average pitch count was in his starts. 150? 180? I don’t recall him ever having a serious arm injury.
Who decided 100 was some kind of magical number to protect pitchers? Have you come across any information on this subject?
DANIEL BERMAN New Rochelle, N.Y.
Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, by facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.
