The Starting Pitcher Conundrum

[frankbmd]

If you have followed baseball for 70 years as I have, you are no doubt aware of the declining innings pitched of starting pitchers. In fact, there will probably be one or more "bullpen" games in this year's World Series.

Currently a pitcher must pitch 162 innings to qualify for the best ERA in the league. The number of qualifiers continues to decrease. It is not ridiculous to postulate that in not too many years, there will not be a qualifying pitcher for the ERA crown. The question then becomes what criteria will be used for future starting pitchers to be considered eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Completion of a career lasting at least 10 years without having Tommy John surgery.

2. 162 strikeouts in a year rather than 162 innings pitched in a year once no one makes it to 162 innings.

3. Lengthen the season until someone pitches 162 innings and declare him the
"King of the Hill" regardless of innings pitched, ERA and strikeouts.

4. The "complete game" will become a popular trivia answer on Net 54 in the 22nd century.

5. Just consider any pitcher who has pitched in more than one inning in any game as qualified for all awards. Does anyone really think one inning or less in every game pitched is Hall of Fame worthy?

6. Eliminate mathematics from the elementary school curriculum so that no one in the future will be able to count, rendering counting stats and this conundrum mute.

7. With the current "mythical" pitch count limit of 100/game, an example of group think in the managerial union, it has also become more difficult to qualify for a win, as many starters do not reach the 6th inning before their 100th pitch. Add "winning pitcher" to the 22nd century Net54 trivia answers that no one will know. The Hall of Fame may already have all the 300 game winners they will ever get.


Feel free to add additional suggestion for Hall of fame consideration in the future for pitchers.

[Peter_Spaeth]

At the rate things are going the whole idea of a winning pitcher should become obsolete. Instead, take the winning team, identify all pitchers who pitched well enough (for however long) to have "contributed" to the win (standards can be worked out), and award them "Cs" or whatever.

[frankbmd]

Indeed, In bullpen games a reliever can be awarded the W and only throw 8 pitches or less. The winner may not even need to take a shower after the game.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

At the rate things are going the whole idea of a winning pitcher should become obsolete. Instead, take the winning team, identify all pitchers who pitched well enough (for however long) to have "contributed" to the win (standards can be worked out), and award them "Cs" or whatever.

1/27th of a win for each out they recorded?

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

6. Eliminate mathematics from the elementary school curriculum so that no one in the future will be able to count, rendering counting stats and this conundrum mute.

That's already been done in some jurisdictions because of the recent "discovery" that math is racist.

[CardPadre]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

That's already been done in some jurisdictions because of the recent "discovery" that math is racist.

Which jurisdictions did this? Sorry you’re so sad. Whose discovery was it?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by CardPadre

Which jurisdictions did this? Sorry you’re so sad. Whose discovery was it?

LOL, I was trying to hold my tongue on this one, but..... no jurisdictions.

Some people just can't help themselves.

[mortimer brewster]

4. The "complete game" will become a popular trivia answer on Net 54 in the 22nd century.


The all-time complete games and shutout lists may as well be etched in stone. there will be no movement on these lists moving forward.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Rosters will be expanded so each team can carry 18 pitchers.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Rosters will be expanded so each team can carry 18 pitchers.

.. and none of them will be worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

Elongating bull pens in some parks may also be difficult.

[frankbmd]

With starters and closers both coming out of the bull pen, Old Hoss Radbourn's record of starting 73 games in a season could be in jeopardy.

Actually Galvin and Will White are already ahead of Old Hoss with 75 games started in a season.

[KJA]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

With starters and closers both coming out of the bull pen, Old Hoss Radbourn's record of starting 73 games in a season could be in jeopardy.

Actually Galvin and Will White are already ahead of Old Hoss with 75 games started in a season.

Hadn't thought about that, but I could totally see that. Also somebody passing Mike Marshall's 106 games in a season


Also wonder who the first reliever will be to make the hall that isn't a closer and will a high number of Holds get them there.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by mortimer brewster

4. The "complete game" will become a popular trivia answer on Net 54 in the 22nd century.

The all-time complete games and shutout lists may as well be etched in stone. there will be no movement on these lists moving forward.

Hmmmm. I may be wrong, but I see only one pitcher, Warren Spahn, in the top 35 who played into the 1960's:

Lifetime Complete Games - ESPN

There were only 28 complete games pitched in 2024 which was a new low compared to 210 as recently as 2002.

[sports-cards-forever]

I like the Tommy John streak idea. That might be better than Cal Ripken's!