Best Season by a Relief Pitcher?

[Grant77]

If I were a manager, I'd take a dominant 200 innings out of the 'pen and 2 extra bench spots over an unhittable 50 or 60 innings.

 

It's hard for us to quantify a season like Marshall's when none of us watched baseball in that era.

[GD]

He vowed to go balls to the wall thenceforth.

 

I was live at that game, and never saw that interview. I can never find it.

[jaysblue]

If I were a manager, I'd take a dominant 200 innings out of the 'pen and 2 extra bench spots over an unhittable 50 or 60 innings.

 

It's hard for us to quantify a season like Marshall's when none of us watched baseball in that era.

 

Yeah, if you asked me I'd also take Marshall's 1974 season over Kimbrel's season. Kimbrel is one dominant pitcher - no doubt. Though 200 high quality innings over 60 unhittable innings to me are more valuable.

[Olerud363]

If I were a manager, I'd take a dominant 200 innings out of the 'pen and 2 extra bench spots over an unhittable 50 or 60 innings.

 

It's hard for us to quantify a season like Marshall's when none of us watched baseball in that era.

 

Even if you just let the guys go 90 innings instead of 65 it would make a difference. Let the top relievers go 90... have a young starter mop everything up (let him go 150). 5 or 6 man bullpen, and you have room for a deeper bench and platooning.

 

30 years ago Eichorn pitched 160 innings and I believe Rance Mullinicks had a season where he had like 10 at bats of less against lefties.

[Olerud363]

In 84 Mullinicks had 8 bats agains lefties. Jays used 13 pitchers. Not 13 pitchers on the roster at once like they do now... 13 pitchers the entire year.

 

In 13 Lind had 100 useless at bats against lefties (was awesome against righties) and the Jays used 31 pitchers.

[Abomination]

Holy s*** 13 pitchers. The game would be a lot more enjoyable if teams didn't rotate 25-30 guys through their pitching staff every year.

 

It would be nice if they didn't rotate through so many in a game too. I'd like to see a rule come in that a pitcher either has to face a minimum of 3 batters, or has to get the final out of an inning before they can be replaced. Put an end to this nonsense teams are doing using sometimes 4 or 5 pitchers an inning.

[jaysblue]

In all seriousness, didn't Craig Kimbrel have the best season ever as a reliever?

 

Kimbrel's 2012 season vs. Gagne's 2003 season…which one do you take?

[jays_fever]

Kimbrel's 2012 season vs. Gagne's 2003 season…which one do you take?

 

Gagne because he pitched in an steroid infused era with more lethal bats. I just think overall its silly to compare two players of a different era.

[jaysblue]

Gagne because he pitched in an steroid infused era with more lethal bats. I just think overall its silly to compare two players of a different era.

 

We're only talking not even 10 years I understand comparing two players of different era's like with a 20-30 year difference.

[jaysblue]

The one with the most value....

 

I take Kimbrel all day, every day, over Gagne though.

 

I would as well, since Gagne's career was short lived, though in terms of their single-season performance, would you rate Kimbrel's 2012 better or Gagne's 2003? Regardless, both were incredible seasons.

[Angrioter]

Holy s*** 13 pitchers. The game would be a lot more enjoyable if teams didn't rotate 25-30 guys through their pitching staff every year.

 

One-inning guy, not the big deal lol

 

Chapman must start games.

[jaysblue]

One-inning guy, not the big deal lol

 

Chapman must start games.

 

It's a shame he's only pitching 60-70 innings per season.

[Angrioter]

It's a shame he's only pitching 60-70 innings per season.

 

Chapman SP-RP over Kimbrel RP for sure.

[jays_fever]

We're only talking not even 10 years I understand comparing two players of different era's like with a 20-30 year difference.

 

haha okay maybe era was the wrong weird choice but its still a different set of hitters they're facing/competition is different.

[havok24]

Gagne was incredible to watch during that remarkable stretch between 02-04. That dude was a legit bad ass.

[GD]

His nationality doesn't hurt.

[GeorgiaPeach]

Gagne because he pitched in an steroid infused era with more lethal bats. I just think overall its silly to compare two players of a different era.

 

Gagne was also an outed PED user, so would the playing field not be more evened out than you're making it sound?

[TheHurl]

ftfy

 

the games were only on the radio back then. Actually my first game I saw was 1974 Expos vs. Dodgers. Chances are Marshall pitched

[The_DH]

In 84 Mullinicks had 8 bats agains lefties. Jays used 13 pitchers. Not 13 pitchers on the roster at once like they do now... 13 pitchers the entire year.

 

In 13 Lind had 100 useless at bats against lefties (was awesome against righties) and the Jays used 31 pitchers.

 

That team had a number 4 starter (in terms of innings) with almost 220 innings. Two were in the 260 range. It was a whole different era.

[Cooler Heads Prevail]

the games were only on the radio back then. Actually my first game I saw was 1974 Expos vs. Dodgers. Chances are Marshall pitched

 

I attended a game in Jarry Park at some point, can't remember the details.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Cooler Heads Prevail

[TheHurl]

I attended a game in Jarry Park at some point, can't remember the details.

 

I wasn't actually at that game, just saw it on TV. My Dad was a big Dodgers fan growing up and seeing a game on TV wasn't easy in the early 70's (Saturday afternoon had one game and Sunday another and that wasn't every week. So when we'd visit my Grandmother's we'd get the Expos games in French. I can't even be certain it was 74 that I first watched a game. It was when I was young and there is a picture of me in a Dodgers shirt and Expos hat. Which reminds me that I've been meaning to scan that one...it was the start of my lack of allegiance to one team.

 

I never got to Jarry Park for baseball (saw tennis there), my first live game was the Jays in 77' and my first live Expos game was 79'.

[The_DH]

My first game was 1973 I think. Oakland and the Yankees. Reggie Jackson !!!

[P2F]

Yeah, that was horrific. I might have to go with Chacon though in 2004.

 

Chacarron?

[Dick_Pole]

Dennis Lamp 1985 11-0

 

Best...season...ever

[reedjohnsonfan]

I've been bored this morning, and this idea came up in my head. Who would you say? Eric Gagne in 2003? He posted a 4.4 WAR which is pretty crazy coming from a closer. According to Fangraphs, Gagne's 2003 season was more valuable than EE in 2012 and 2013. Just can't fathom it. Was Gagne's 2003 season the best we've ever seen from a reliever? Thoughts...

 

 

Eckersley was unreal, but Gagne's 2003 has to have edged him out. That was unbelievable, easy choice for Canadian athlete of the year any other time, but we all know who won the Masters in 2003.

[John_Havok]

I've been bored this morning, and this idea came up in my head. Who would you say? Eric Gagne in 2003? He posted a 4.4 WAR which is pretty crazy coming from a closer. According to Fangraphs, Gagne's 2003 season was more valuable than EE in 2012 and 2013. Just can't fathom it. Was Gagne's 2003 season the best we've ever seen from a reliever? Thoughts...

 

Jesse Crain was on his way to a huge season last year before he got hurt. 1.9 WAR in 36.2 innings

[Nox]

Just think how valuable Kimbrell/Gagne would be if they were consistently used in their team's highest leverage situations.

 

3 run, 1 inning saves for the f***ing loss.

[connorp]

Just think how valuable Kimbrell/Gagne would be if they were consistently used in their

team's highest leverage situations.

 

3 run, 1 inning saves for the f***ing loss.

 

its no doubt an interesting concept but i dont know if it'd be beneficial. I mean if the team had a three run lead from the 7th on..obviously doesnt matter..

 

But say they're by two and bases are loaded in 7th, no outs.. But then you still need someone to pitch all or some of eigth and then 9th.

 

What ive always said about the 9th is its a different environment. Lots of pinch hitters/runners and everyones focus is more intense. So you would most likely have to use a few guys (loogy when need and such)..but they obviouly arent Kimbrell trying to keep tight lead that Kim hypothetically kept

 

Also lets not forget that anyone brought into a critical situation in the 7th on is prob on the mound because of a preferable matchup. Even if its one batter

 

I guess if you pick your situation, that would be ideal..just not as a rule id think