Four man rotation?

[bosoxmal]

If you count Buchholz, we have 6 starters. One month to go, a lousy bullpen. We could put a little bigger load on those 6 without affecting our closer. Go to a 4 man rotation. Which was normal until the slider came along and sore arms with it. Price and Porcello have been going 7 or 8 every outing. Pare them down to 6 or 7, if need be, and let eRod and Buchholz be available, daily for mid-game duty.

 

In 1949 I lived in Stoughton, worlked in Egleston Sq., and spent Sat AM and 3 nights a week at Northeastern on the GI Bill. I had no car until later in the year, Gave me plenty of time to scrutinize both the Sox and Braves games. We all loved Teddy, but everybody's favorite was Ellis Kinder. He pitched in 43 games, 30 as starter. had 19 complete games (w/6 shutouts), plus 4 saves. He went 23-6 with a 3.36 ERA, and pitched 257 innings. Guess what. His arm didn't fall off.

 

He had only about 5 good years as a starter, but was an all-star type closer until 1957. I only went to maybe 3 or 4 games that year, but always went with the hopes that Kinder would either start or relieve.

 

PS: Try getting to Stoughton by way of street car and bus Sunday evenings! Game ended at 5, got home about 8.

 

(Make that, "FOUR man rotation, please)

[Hugh2]

right, lets go try something completely crazy and put guys into routines they are use to 2 games out and one month to go down the stretch because....I mean f*** it, it could work right?

[sk7326]

If you count Buchholz, we have 6 starters. One month to go, a lousy bullpen. We could put a little bigger load on those 6 without affecting our closer. Go to a 4 man rotation. Which was normal until the slider came along and sore arms with it. Price and Porcello have been going 7 or 8 every outing. Pare them down to 6 or 7, if need be, and let eRod and Buchholz be available, daily for mid-game duty.

 

In 1949 I lived in Stoughton, worlked in Egleston Sq., and spent Sat AM and 3 nights a week at Northeastern on the GI Bill. I had no car until later in the year, Gave me plenty of time to scrutinize both the Sox and Braves games. We all loved Teddy, but everybody's favorite was Ellis Kinder. He pitched in 43 games, 30 as starter. had 19 complete games (w/6 shutouts), plus 4 saves. He went 23-6 with a 3.36 ERA, and pitched 257 innings. Guess what. His arm didn't fall off.

 

He had only about 5 good years as a starter, but was an all-star type closer until 1957. I only went to maybe 3 or 4 games that year, but always went with the hopes that Kinder would either start or relieve.

 

PS: Try getting to Stoughton by way of street car and bus Sunday evenings! Game ended at 5, got home about 8.

 

(Make that, "FOUR man rotation, please)

 

Pitchers did not throw as hard then.

[bosoxmal]

'

Pitchers did not throw as hard then.

 

Like hell they didn't! Ever hear of Dick Radatz? I'm not even talking about the Fellers, the Groves, Walter Johnson, etc. Did they have radar guns then. Maybe not, most people had two eyes. Do you rmember.

 

"First we'll use Spahn, then we'll use Sain, Then an off day, followed by rain. Back will come Spahn, followed by Sain, And followed, we hope, by two days of rain.".

 

This was early in Spahn's career, and he had one of the best.

[sk7326]

'

 

Like hell they didn't! Ever hear of Dick Radatz? I'm not even talking about the Fellers, the Groves, Walter Johnson, etc. Did they have radar guns then. Maybe not, most people had two eyes. Do you rmember.

 

"First we'll use Spahn, then we'll use Sain, Then an off day, followed by rain. Back will come Spahn, followed by Sain, And followed, we hope, by two days of rain.".

 

This was early in Spahn's career, and he had one of the best.

 

Radatz had a 95 mph fastball ... there are lots of 95 fastballs now.

 

It cannot be separated from usage patterns - but between usage and modern training, guys throw harder now across the board.

[Spudboy]

Radatz had a 95 mph fastball ... there are lots of 95 fastballs now.

 

It cannot be separated from usage patterns - but between usage and modern training, guys throw harder now across the board.

 

And, as User pointed out several years ago, pitchers are throwing breaking stuff at a much earlier point in their development. Maybe the accumulated usage and wear factors in.

[User Name]

...and have more complicated mechanics, and come from playing year-round baseball when their bodies aren't even fully developed, the usage of breaking balls has increased, as well as the quality of hitters, and of course, the amount of money paid to these guys. All reasons to try to protect their arm as much as possible.

[bosoxmal]

And, as User pointed out several years ago, pitchers are throwing breaking stuff at a much earlier point in their development. Maybe the accumulated usage and wear factors in.

 

"Another major issue with throwing too many sliders is the toll it takes on the arm, particularly on the elbow. Ever wonder how it is that these days, so many college and professional pitchers need Tommy John surgery? You would think that with the advances in medicine, training, and overall knowledge of pitching mechanics, that people wouldn’t be hurting their arms. However, it seems that every pitcher above Little League is throwing sliders 30-50% of the time, and this pitch puts a tremendous strain on the tiny, fragile tendons in and around the elbow. Even if you throw the pitch with perfect mechanics, (which eRod does not) you will probably at least strain the tendons a bit. If you throw the pitch with imperfect form, you’ll put even more of a strain on the tendons and the ligaments, and eventually tear something."

 

And idiot HS coaches still teach the slider!