Interesting.
Anyhow, this: “1972: Even though teams in the 40s, 50s, and 60s used pitchers exclusively in bullpen roles — and some even before that — it wasn’t until 1972 when the Reds’ Clay Carroll became the first pitcher to make a third of his season’s appearances in the beginning of the ninth inning. And that wasn’t to be repeated until the A’s Rollie Fingers did it in 1982.”
Is wrong. Fingers was on Milwaukee in 82 and with the A’s in 72.
To my mind Fingers’ use by the A’s in the early 70’s was the most influential in starting the evolution to the closer of today.
I wonder why more pitchers didn't ruin their arms back in the 30s and 40s.
Pitchers sometimes pitched BOTH ends of a double-header.
How come it never occurred to managers to have closers as a rule until the '70s?
I'm guessing that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If a guy is still getting the opposing batters out, leave them in.
They might have also reasoned that the complete game guys were "wearing out" the offense, too.
They didn't have as many pinch hitters/double position swaps back then either.
Don't get me started on the DH.
Until the 70s, all pitchers had to bat, too, so you could almost guarantee an easy out.
Back to the O/T, unless a QB gets hurt, he's WAY more valuable taking every snap.
Someone like Peyton Manning makes his bones by figuring out defenses, then picking them apart.
A "relief QB" wouldn't be game ready.
You are correct...I was going on faulty memory on that & misposted which team Fingers was on at the time...all else was correct