Complete games - why so few now?

[Cubzfan64]

It wasn't that long ago that guys like Fergie Jenkins, Rick Reuschel, Bob Gibson and many other starting pitchers tossed A LOT of complete games every season.

 

I understand that the game has changed as far as the role of relief pitching, set-up men, closers etc..., but it seems like so many starters now just lose it in the 7th or 8th innings as though they've "burned" themselves out and starters are "nursed" along and watched closely so their pitch counts don't get too high.

 

Were guys who could throw 10+ complete games per season just few and far between back in the pre-1980's or are starters now just mentally convinced that their job is to make it 7 innings?

 

I'm just curious - I mean, I'm sure there were pitchers in the past who developed arm problems, but if pitch count records were even documented years ago, some of those guys HAD to be at 130+ pitches in plenty of their outings no?

 

Just wondering if anyone here has any other theories or has heard any baseball professionals discuss this issue.

 

Thanks

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Simple, the hitters are better, and there are more of them. Better hitters lead to more hits and runs, which lead to more high effort pitches from pitchers.

[AlwaysaCub]

I would say that in the homerun era, pitchers can't "coast" anymore when away from the heart of the order. Look, everyone tries to hit home runs today, partly because everyone is bigger, partly because home run hitters are the guys who get the big payday, and partly because of the new parks. My mom could hit a home run in Houston into those damn Crawford boxes. Pitchers basically have to bear down against every hitter, because EVERY hitter could be a run.

[erik316wttn]

I think the evolution of the closer has a lot to do with it as well. Baseball is a highly specialized game now. Managers would much rather have a fresh pitcher in the 9th to hitters who are likely tired and thier bats may be just a hair slower.

[PackLandVA]

I believe it's "dictated" strategy that few managers will shy away from for fear of it backfiring. It's the same reason managers no longer will bring the stud closer on in the 8th. Years agao, it wasn't uncommon for a reliever like Bruce Sutter to pitch 2+ innings. But nowadays, the reliever is almost never brought in until the 9th.

 

Sometimes you need to coach "outside" the box!

[katway]

Pitch counts are the big thing now because no one wants to ruin the arm of the $50 million pitcher with the guaranteed contract. Not every pitcher may need a pitch count, but some certainly do. For every Fergie Jenkins there is a Sandy Koufax that has to hang them up because their arm wont let them pitch any more. The problem without a pitch count is that you don't know whether the pitcher is that durable until it's too late and the pitcher blows out the arm.

[cjbucks]

I read an article on Bob Feller ( which I thougt was excellent btw ) in SI and I'm pretty sure he said in there that he would get through the 7,8,9 hitters simply by letting up a little and coasting through which would let them throw more pitches. Feller's stats are mind boggling - I went back and looked at them after reading the article.

[IMarkOutForDubois]

WHY?

 

Chicago Cubs staff circa 20-03.

They dominate for the most part well into the Playoffs, only to FRIGGING DIE in the NLCS of what seems of exhaustion and overuse.

Remember: NO ONE wants to be like the Cubs.

 

THAT'S WHY.