It?s automatic.
Whenever we look at a pitcher?s numbers, we invariably look first at wins and losses. More wins than losses, good. More losses than wins, bad. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, how important is that individual W-L record?
Not very, inasmuch as the number of runs his team scores is all but completely out of his hands, particularly in the American League. Without sufficient run support, a pitcher might pitch well for an entire season, start 20 games, allow fewer hits than innings pitched, have an ERA under 3.00 and never post a single victory. No way, you think?
Think again.
Dick Such had a brief career as a major league pitcher, but he was an outstanding big league pitching coach for many years with the Rangers and Twins. In 1967, pitching for York (Pa.) in the Eastern League, Such went 0-16 with a 2.81 ERA. He allowed 108 hits in 128 innings, struck out 78, walked 70 and resisted the urge to take a long walk off a short pier.
A starting pitcher?s won-lost record has become the main criteria for determining Hall of Fame suitability. Jim Kaat won 283 games ? and 16 consecutive Gold Gloves ? over a 25-year career, but he?s not in the Hall of Fame. Bert Blyleven won 287 games over a 22-year career ? with 3,701 K?s ? but he?s not in the Hall of Fame. Tommy John won 288 games over a 26-year career ? he missed the entire 1975 season due to the surgery that bears his name ? and he?s not in either.
Invariably, when you mention these omissions to the writers who vote on the Hall, you hear the same thing: “Well, he didn?t win 300 games.” Please. All three men did finish with career ERAs under 3.50.
An earned run average of (gasp) nearly five runs a game seems to be acceptable for a starting pitcher these days. Orioles? righty Kris Benson is a .500 pitcher with an ERA of more than 4.50 per game, and local fans are praying he doesn?t demand a trade at season?s end, as is his right as a player traded during a multi-year contract. He?s that valuable to this rotation at the present time.
What does that tell you?
Of the sub-2.00 ERAs in the American League currently, no starting pitchers are represented. There are 24 pitchers in the AL with ERAs of between two and three runs a game, and only Minnesota?s Francisco Liriano and Johan Santana are starters in that group. From three to four runs a game are the names you?d expect to see: Mussina, Halladay, Sabathia, Zito ? and the first Orioles? starter on the list, Erik Bedard, checking in at No. 92 overall at 3.94.
This isn?t brain surgery. Potential and promise don?t win games, regardless of draft position. Until the entire Orioles? rotation can post sub-5.00 ERAs, a winning record or postseason appearance is all but out of the question.
Phil Wood has covered sports in the Washington-Baltimore market for more than 30 years. You can reach him at [email protected].
