Errors and Earned/Unearned Runs

[soccer10k]

Does anyone else think that if a pitcher makes an error that allows a runner on that he should be charged an earned run for that? I understand what an unearned run is, but if a pitcher makes an error it's his fault and you're letting him of the hook. For example, in today's Cubs-Pirates game, Novoa could have got out of the inning but couldn't pick up the ball and four runs ended up scoring that inning. All four were unearned and two were charged to Guzman and two to Novoa. All he had to do was pick up the ball and throw it to first base but he screwed it up. I think his ERA should show that because it was on him to make the play and he didn't have to rely on anybody else to make the play. Thoughts?

[sherwood921]

Not really. ERA is a measure of the pitchers pitching record, not his fielding. Just because he's the guy that messed up fielding the ball shouldn't make a difference in his pitching statistics. It would also cause issues on the other side, because the other team didn't earn that run based on who made the error.

[ChiCubsFan]

Not really. ERA is a measure of the pitchers pitching record, not his fielding. Just because he's the guy that messed up fielding the ball shouldn't make a difference in his pitching statistics. It would also cause issues on the other side, because the other team didn't earn that run based on who made the error.

 

And that ends that discussion.

[soccer10k]

Not really. ERA is a measure of the pitchers pitching record, not his fielding. Just because he's the guy that messed up fielding the ball shouldn't make a difference in his pitching statistics. It would also cause issues on the other side, because the other team didn't earn that run based on who made the error.

 

And that ends that discussion.

 

It's an excellent point. The thought just popped into my head after Novoa made the error.

[ChiCubsFan]

Not really. ERA is a measure of the pitchers pitching record, not his fielding. Just because he's the guy that messed up fielding the ball shouldn't make a difference in his pitching statistics. It would also cause issues on the other side, because the other team didn't earn that run based on who made the error.

 

And that ends that discussion.

 

It's an excellent point. The thought just popped into my head after Novoa made the error.

 

Yeah, I actually had the thought too, but those points Sherwood made are just too solid to argue against.

[MPrior]

Yeah, I actually had the thought too, but those points Sherwood made are just too solid to argue against.

 

Are you kidding? This is baseball! Since when has a point being completely and irrefutably logical been grounds not to argue against it? Just ask Joe Morgan, he'll set you straight.