The Most Bad Luck Pitching Seasons In Baseball History

[G1911]

In 1910, Ed Walsh led the American League in losses, posting a record of 18-20 (in an era where wins and losses were a meaningful stat as he completed 33 of his 36 starts). With a losing record, Walsh also led the league in WHIP and ERA, posting a minuscule 1.27. Even in the dead ball era, that 1.27 ERA was an amazing 87% better than the league average. His team sucked, going 68-85, but the #2 pitcher on the staff that year posted a winning record, with an ERA more than double Walsh's at 2.66, 11% below the league average.

In 1987, Nolan went 8-16 with a league leading 2.76 ERA, his second and final ERA crown. Houston was a loser of a team, going 76-86, which was still better than they did with Ryan on the mound, winning more with inferior pitchers hurling.

The most hard luck season I can find though was in 1900. Rube Waddell also led the league in ERA with a 2.37. He posted a record of 8-13 while completing 16 of his 22 starts. Unlike Walsh and Ryan, Waddell pitched on a fine club though. The Pirates were 2nd in the National League that season, going 79-60. And yet with the most effective pitcher in baseball on the mound, they lost more than they won. .568 as a team, .381 when the best pitcher in the league got the decision.

Is there a more bad luck season than Waddell's 1900 campaign?