Thursday, August 14, 2008

A Baseball rule change 10.19 (C) (5)


Relief pitcher's wins and losses records are often the worst way of tracking a pitcher's success. But since the W-L records are here to stay, baseball should ammend one glaring loophole for relief pitchers. Currently a pitcher is credited for a win even after allowing a tying or go-ahead run if his team's offense can rally.
If Bobby Jenks entered in the 9th inning with the Sox leading 1-0 and allowed the opposing team to tie the game and the Sox offense responded in the bottom half of the 9th with a run to win the game, Jenks would get credit for a blown save and a win. How does this make sense?
I propose either crediting the most valuable Sox pitcher (in the scorekeeper's mind) or instituting a "Team Win."
Calculating "team wins" would be another way to evaluate teams with a tendencey to rally and score late. For fantasy players, team wins would be similar to defenses in NFL fantasy leagues. Players would draft teams and earn points each time the team's offense bailed out a weak bullpen.

4 comments:

Tom said...

No stat is perfect Theo. A quarterback still gets marked for an interception even if his pass hits his receiver in the hands.

Team wins...seriously?

Don't Post said...

I didn't know Jenks blew saves, only minds.

Unknown said...

Can we get some commentary on the 14 yr olds on China's gymnastics team? One of which is missing a front tooth for god sakes. (Must be 16 to compete, fwiw)

Anonymous said...

For once I agree with Tom...mark this day down!