Complete game
What is a Complete Game in Baseball?
A complete game in baseball is a significant achievement for any pitcher. It occurs when a pitcher starts and finishes an entire game for their team without the assistance of a relief pitcher. This typically means they have pitched for nine innings, although a complete game can also occur in a game that has been shortened due to factors like rain or extended due to extra innings. The complete game showcases the starting pitcher’s skill, endurance, and effectiveness in managing opposing batters and defending their team’s lead throughout the game’s entirety.
In the history of baseball, complete games were once much more common, especially during eras where pitching staffs were smaller, and the role of relievers was less defined. However, with the evolution of baseball strategy and advancements in player conditioning, complete games have become less frequent in the modern era. Today, when a complete game occurs, it is often celebrated as a noteworthy accomplishment that underlines a pitcher’s ability to control the game from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
- A complete game occurs when a pitcher starts and finishes a game without assistance from relief pitchers
- The achievement emphasizes the starting pitcher’s skill, endurance, and effectiveness in managing opposing batters
- While once more common, complete games have become less frequent in the modern era due to changes in baseball strategy and the increased use of relief pitchers.
What is a Complete Game in Baseball?
A complete game in baseball refers to a statistic where a pitcher pitches for their entire team throughout the game, without the need for a relief pitcher. This achievement is an impressive feat in the sport, as it demonstrates the pitcher’s skill, endurance, and consistency during the match. Complete games can be found in both standard nine-inning games and matches with extra innings or shortened by external factors such as rain.
In general, a pitcher earns a complete game if they are the only player on their team to pitch during the game. Complete games can vary in length due to circumstances such as rain delays, extra innings, or the game being called off after a certain number of innings. Regardless of the number of innings pitched, the key factor is that the pitcher must have been the sole individual to throw any pitches for their team.
To achieve a complete game, pitchers need to maintain a high level of performance, minimizing the opposing team’s ability to score runs. This accomplishment requires them to have a deep understanding of their pitch arsenal and effectively strategize against the opposing team’s batting lineup. Complete games have become less common in recent years, as teams tend to rely more on their bullpen and relief pitchers to preserve the health and longevity of their starting pitchers.
Though rare, complete games showcase a pitcher’s mastery of their craft and are a notable achievement in the world of baseball.
Types of Complete Games
Shutout
A shutout is a type of complete game where a pitcher does not allow the opposing team to score any runs. In a shutout, the pitcher may allow hits and walks, but prevents runners from crossing home plate. Shutouts are a strong display of pitching performance, as they require a combination of skill, strategy, and stamina to maintain control over the game.
No-Hitter
A no-hitter is a rarer type of complete game, where a pitcher does not allow any hits by the opposing team. While the pitcher may still issue walks or hit batters with a pitch, they keep the opposing team from getting any base hits. No-hitters are highly regarded accomplishments in baseball because they require a high level of precision, focus, and effectiveness from the pitcher, as well as strong defensive support from their teammates.
Perfect Game
Considered the pinnacle of pitching achievements, a perfect game involves a pitcher retiring all 27 batters they face (in a standard nine-inning game) without allowing any base runners. This means no hits, no walks, and no errors by the defense that would allow a batter to safely reach a base. Perfect games are exceedingly rare, with only 23 perfect games recorded in MLB history as of 2021. Earning a perfect game is a remarkable feat demonstrating the highest level of skill, determination, and teamwork.
Complete Game Requirements
Innings
A complete game in baseball is when a pitcher starts and finishes a game, typically lasting nine innings. However, the length of a complete game can differ under certain conditions, such as games shortened by rain or extending into extra innings. The pitcher must remain on the mound for the final out of the game to be credited with a complete game, regardless of the number of innings played.
Pitching
In order for a pitcher to earn a complete game, they must be the only player on their team to pitch during the entire game. This means no relief pitchers or other teammates are allowed to throw any pitches throughout the game. The starting pitcher must maintain their presence on the mound and continue to pitch, overcoming any challenges posed by the opposing team’s batters.
Official Game Completion
For a game to count as official and a complete game to be awarded to the pitcher, the game must reach a legitimate conclusion. This can be achieved through the natural course of the game, such as one team scoring more runs than the other, or by external factors like rain cutting the game short. If the game is shortened or extended due to unusual circumstances, it still counts as a complete game for the pitcher, as long as they were the only pitcher to make an appearance for their team.
Historical Context
Cy Young and the Golden Era
Cy Young, one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, played during an era known as the Golden Era of baseball. In the early 20th century, complete games were much more common and pitchers like Young completed most, if not all, of their starts. This era established a foundation for Major League Baseball and cemented many of its records, including those related to complete games. For example, Warren Spahn led the National League in complete games from 1957 through 1963, setting a Major League record for most consecutive seasons leading a league in complete games1.
Decline in Complete Games
Over time, baseball strategy shifted and complete games became increasingly rare. In the 21st century, reaching 10 or more complete games in a season has only happened twice2. This decline can be attributed to factors such as increased specialization and focus on pitch counts, resulting in the use of relief pitchers and closing pitchers more frequently. As a result, no pitcher has reached 30 complete games in a single season since 19753.
Notable Complete Game Pitchers
Warren Spahn and Walter Johnson
Warren Spahn, a Hall of Fame left-handed pitcher, played from 1942 to 1965. He is best known for his time with the Milwaukee Braves. Spahn led the league in complete games nine times and finished his career with 382 complete games, which ranks sixth all-time. With his impressive longevity, Spahn showcased skill and stamina throughout his career.
Walter Johnson, also a Hall of Famer, was a right-handed pitcher who played from 1907 to 1927. As a member of the Washington Senators, Johnson completed 531 games throughout his career, second only to Cy Young. Johnson led the league in complete games six times, displaying his ability to dominate on the mound and finish games consistently.
Nolan Ryan and James Shields
Nolan Ryan, another Hall of Fame pitcher, played from 1966 to 1993 across four different teams. Known for his power pitching and incredible strikeout numbers, Ryan also managed to record 222 complete games throughout his lengthy career. Ryan led the league in complete games twice, demonstrating his endurance alongside his remarkable pitch velocity.
James Shields, an accomplished right-handed starting pitcher, played from 2006 to 2018 and is particularly known for his time with the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals. Shields, while not as prolific as some of the other pitchers mentioned, still managed to record 28 complete games in his career. Shields was a consistent and reliable presence on the mound throughout his 13-year career.
Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw
Justin Verlander, a right-handed starting pitcher and former MVP, has been playing in the Major Leagues since 2005. Notably, he has spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers and has also played for the Houston Astros. As of now, Verlander has recorded 26 complete games, showcasing his ability to pitch deep into games consistently.
Clayton Kershaw, a left-handed starting pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner, has been playing since 2008, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw is considered one of the best pitchers of his generation. During his career, Kershaw has thrown 25 complete games, proving his exceptional stamina and consistency on the mound.
Factors Influencing Complete Games
Pitch Counts and Fatigue
One factor that influences complete games in baseball is pitch count. Teams follow predetermined pitch counts for their starting pitchers to ensure they don’t wear out or get fatigued. This typically means that once a pitcher reaches a certain number of pitches, they will be replaced with a relief pitcher, limiting their chance to complete the entire game. Fatigue also plays a significant role in determining whether a pitcher completes a game or not. As the game progresses and a pitcher becomes more fatigued, their performance may decline, and the team may choose to bring in a reliever to keep the game competitive.
Arm Injuries and Rest
Another factor affecting complete games is the risk of arm injuries. Excessive throwing can strain a pitcher’s arm and may lead to injuries that can sideline them for an extended period. In an effort to minimize arm-related injuries, many teams are cautious about allowing pitchers to pitch more innings than necessary. Ensuring proper rest between starts is also crucial for a pitcher’s health and performance. Teams take a precautionary approach and avoid overworking their starting pitchers to ensure they remain healthy throughout the season.
Weather and Rain Delays
Weather conditions and rain delays can also impact a pitcher’s ability to achieve a complete game. Poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, may force a game to be delayed or postponed, which can disrupt the rhythm of a pitcher and prompt a manager to substitute them with a relief pitcher when the game resumes. Additionally, if a game is called off due to inclement weather, a pitcher might miss their chance to complete the game, even if they were pitching effectively up to that point.
The Role of Relief Pitchers in Modern Baseball
Closers and Saves
In modern baseball, a relief pitcher plays a crucial role after the starting pitcher has been removed from the game. This could be due to fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or other strategic reasons. One key role of a relief pitcher is the closer, who typically enters the game during the late innings with the team leading. The primary objective of the closer is to secure a win by maintaining the lead and recording the final outs, often earning a save in the process. Closers usually possess strong fastball velocities and the ability to strikeout opposing batters.
Bullpen Strategy
The bullpen is a team’s group of relief pitchers, and its strategic utilization has evolved significantly in modern baseball. The number of pitchers in a bullpen can vary from game to game. Managers have adopted various strategies to maximize the effectiveness of their bullpens, using mixtures of long, middle, and short relief roles.
Table 1. Average Yearly Performance for Team Leaders in Saves (Click on any table image below to enlarge.) As you can see, the change in closer use happened very quickly. By 1991 it was virtually complete. It used to be common for a relief pitcher to throw 100 innings. From 1971 through 1989, the number was equal to about one for every two teams.
Bullpens are frequently turned to in high-leverage situations – moments when the outcome of the game hangs in the balance. This has led to an increased emphasis on specialized relief roles and matchups based on batter-pitcher data. The effective deployment of relief pitchers can significantly impact a team’s win probability and has become a fundamental aspect of modern baseball strategy.
Complete Games and Game Strategy
Leading or Trailing Scenarios
In baseball, a complete game (CG) occurs when a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without being replaced by a relief pitcher. This includes both the standard nine innings and any additional innings played in extra innings games. Strategy comes into play when considering if a pitcher should attempt a complete game based on the current score, like if the team is leading, trailing, or tied. A team might be more inclined to leave their starting pitcher in the game if they have a substantial lead, as the risk of losing the game decreases. Conversely, if the team is trailing, they may opt to replace the pitcher with a pinch hitter to increase their chance of scoring runs.
Pinch Hitters
A pinch hitter is a substitute batter brought in off the bench to replace the pitcher’s spot in the batting order. This strategy is commonly used when a team is behind or desires more offensive power later in the game. Pinch hitters often have a high batting average or power, allowing the team to potentially score more runs, increase their chance of winning, or even tie the game.
Baserunners
Baserunners play an essential role in a team’s offensive success, as they have the task of advancing around the bases to score runs. In a complete game, the opposing team’s baserunners become increasingly important, as their potential to score affects whether the starting pitcher remains in the game. If there are many baserunners that pose scoring threats, the pitcher’s team may decide to bring in a relief pitcher to try and limit the damage. Understanding the opposing team’s baserunning strategy and strengths is crucial for determining when to keep the starting pitcher on the mound during a complete game attempt.
By considering leading or trailing scenarios, pinch hitters, and baserunner strategies, teams can weigh the benefits and risks of attempting a complete game. Remaining alert to changes in the game’s dynamics and adjusting strategy accordingly helps maximize the chance of success in this critical aspect of baseball.
Complete Games in Major League Baseball Records
League Leaders and Top 10 Lists
Complete games in Major League Baseball (MLB) refer to a pitcher pitching an entire game without the help of a relief pitcher. League leaders in complete games are recognized year by year, with records dating back to 1876. The Baseball Almanac is a great resource to explore these records, as it provides a comprehensive leaderboard of complete games for every season.
The following table displays some of the all-time top 10 leaders in complete games:
| Rank | Player | Complete Games |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cy Young | 749 |
| 2 | Pud Galvin | 646 |
| 3 | Tim Keefe | 554 |
| 4 | Kid Nichols | 532 |
| 5 | Mickey Welch | 525 |
| 6 | Charley Radbourn | 489 |
| 7 | John Clarkson | 485 |
| 8 | Tony Mullane | 468 |
| 9 | Eddie Plank | 410 |
| 10 | Gus Weyhing | 385 |
Historic Games and Events
Complete games have been a part of some historic events in MLB history. Here are a few notable examples:
- Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: On October 8, 1956, during Game 5 of the World Series, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched a complete game perfect game, meaning he retired all 27 opposing batters without allowing any of them to reach base. This remains the only perfect game in World Series history.
- Nolan Ryan’s Seven No-Hitters: Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan holds the MLB record for most career no-hitters with seven. A no-hitter is a complete game in which a pitcher does not allow any opposing player to record a hit. All of Ryan’s seven no-hitters were complete games.
These records and events showcase the significance of complete games in the context of Major League Baseball, highlighting the exceptional achievements of pitchers and the role they play in historic moments.
