1950 - 1959 there were 8,288 complete games. An aver of 828 per year (16 teams) 1960 - 1969 there were 8,052 complete games. An aver of 805 per year (league expanded in 61,62 & 69 1970 - 1979 there was an AMAZING 10, 038 complete games. An aver of 1,003 per year. Expanded to 26 teams in 1977 1980 - 1989 there were 6,349 complete games. An aver of 634 per year. (Strike in 1981) 1990 - 1999 there were 3,210 complete games. An aver of 321 per year. (strike in 1994 to beginning of 95) Expanded in 93 & 98 2000 - 2009 there were only 1,739 complete games. An aver of 173 per year. 2010 - 2014 (5 years) 708 complete games. An aver of only 141 per year. NOTE: The high was 1971 with a total of 1,082 complete games. The low was 2007 with only 112. Last year (2014) there was only 118. A footnote to this is in 1971 9 pitchers had over 20 complete games, In 2007 only 1 pitcher had over 5 complete games. Just thought some of you might find this interesting.
The great Warren Spahn had 382 CG. Lead the league in CG 9 times from the ages of 28-42 yrs old. Amazingly had a stretch where he lead the league 7 straight years at the ages of 36-42 years old. Won more games than any LH in history winning 20 or more games 13 times 17 years apart up to 42 yrs old. Finished with a career ERA of 3.09 after 5243.2 IP. Gosh I really like talking about Warren Spahn.....simply amazing combination of durability, consistency and excellence.
Thanks Rick, The Stat King Hath Returned, and His name is Doctor Rick The Stat King........ Being Breakfast Time, Breakfast is served........I eat this stuff for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and never tire of statistics, again Thanks Rick........(these things take alot of work and time)....!
Rick, there are quite a few factors to consider regarding the decline. and they all illustrate just how much the game has changed era from era.
Tell that to Nolan Ryan who would still like to see a pitcher finish a game from time to time. For that matter, so would I.
The biggest change over decades, has been the influx of Corporate Eateries invade Stadiums....... What used to be strictly In House Concessions, is now invaded with Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonalds (which is everywhere other than Space, yet to come), Taco Bell...... just give me a couple foot long Hot Dogs, or Brats (even better), a couple bags of Peanuts, 1 Pop Corn, 1 big Soda, (believe it or not, I have never yet drank one beer at a ballgame, since I was old enough to drink. Main reason, I had to drive)..... and I'm good to go......fk these fast food cardiac killers of Corp Invaders.....
No doubt, I still and always will long for the days of Complete Game Pitchers..... to a point, I believe any team should have a minimum of 3 SP Comp Gamers, but would prefer 4, ala Palmer, Cuellar, Dobson, McNally, who had 70 complete games b/t them, with their 4 each 20 game winners......... even the 98 Yanks only had 21 Complete Pitched Games. Who is to say, CG's aren't integral to the game, today as much as yesterday, imagine how much stronger Bull Pens would be without having to even come into a game nightly, rather every other game or more, just to keep their arms in sync and condition..... Who in their right mind, would not prefer to have CG Pitchers like: (just few for example): ie, Ford Guidry Spahn Ryan Carlton Koufax Drysdale Marichal Bob Gibson Vida Blue ???????????????
And I'm not saying do it at a cost of a pitcher throwing 140-150 pitches but hell if a pitcher is going into the 9th with a 3-0 or 3-1 lead & he's only thrown 100 pitches, let him finish the damn game & save your bullpen for when its really needed. EXAMPLE: DeGrom of the Mets last night was throwing a one hit 5-0 shutout through 8 innings & wasn't permitted to finish because he threw a whopping 104 pitches. Big fucking deal.
Thanks Rick, some of us didn't notice complete games were becoming more and more rare and the "relief pitchers" were becoming more specialized and the bullpen was less of a place where washed-up SPs were sent into pasture....lol Sorry to disappoint you about one of the very best CG standard bearers, Spahn - .....but being that you asked me to tell "us" something "we" didn't know about Spahn..... He's the oldest pitcher (42) to win 20 games (23), and lead the league in CG (22) in the same season. Also the oldest pitcher (40) to lead the league in Wins, ERA,CG and shutouts.... .....in the same season. Won at least 20 games in a season a record 17 years apart. He could actually be "under-rated" when the experts talk about "great" pitchers, past and present. Okay - sorry to go a bit off the map,.....but he does have a little something to do with "complete games" and great durability. Your first post was excellent.
I'm a huge stat guy, always have been so the info on Spahn was nothing I didn't already know. But what the hell maybe it was news to others here. Yeah Spahn was an amazing pitcher with some incredible stats to record. Currently tied with Christy Matherson with 13 career 20 win seasons I think Spahn was the best modern day pitcher (1940 forward) to ever put on a uniform. And he's only one of 18 pitchers since 1940 to record over 100 wins over a 5 year period (1957-1961 he went 106-60) tied for 8th for most wins over a 5 year period with Bob Lemon & Wilber Wood. 1) - Hal Newhouser 118-56 (1944-1948) 2) - Robin Roberts 118-67 (1951-1955) 3) - Sandy Koufax 111-34 (1962-1966) 4) - Juan Marichal 111-46 (1962-1966) 5) - Jim Hunter 111-48 (1971-1975) 6) - Denny McClain 108-51 (1965-1969) 7) - Fergie Jenkins 107-72 (1967-1971)
Okay, I hear ya...I thought maybe you didn't "know" about Spahn's record setting stats for a pitcher in his 40s.... And winning at least 20 games 17 years apart has to be one of the most under-appreciated all time "stat" for a SP....... ......And because he did it with brilliance....the epitomy of great consistent longevity. Won 21 games in 1947 with an ERA of 2.33 Won 23 games in 1963 with an ERA of 2.60 For those two seasons combined, so far apart, .....he averaged 22 wins with a 2.46 ERA. Incredible.
