Quote:
Originally Posted by packs
I will say Niekro does have some whacky seasons under his belt that seem very hard to explain on the surface.
In 1978, he went 19-18, lost more games than anyone else, gave up more hits and earned runs than anyone else, and hit more people than anyone in the league.
But he also somehow led the league in WAR.
The next season it was even weirder. He led the league in both wins and losses after going 21-20, he gave up more hits, home runs, and walks than any other pitcher in the league, but again led everyone in WAR.
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Availability is valuable.
He also usually led the league in innings pitched...by a lot.
...and the difference between him and the #10 guy was a huge gulf. Usually around a 100 innings. Sometimes even more. That's like 11 Extra complete games a season.
I also believe Atlanta was considered a hitter's paradise during those days, so that would have helped his overall value also.