I do wonder why a pitcher can’t seem to go more than five innings anymore. The World Series Dodgers of 77 and 78 had a five man starting rotation, but they were typically good for seven innings or more. Part of that was because they didn’t have Sparky Lyle or Goose Gossage in the bullpen. But Burt Hooten-Tommy John-Don Sutton-Rick Rhoden and Doug Rau all had long careers (except maybe Rau, who tore a rotator cuff and was never the same). Heck, a future Hall of Famer in his prime was the #3 pitcher on the rotation, and these cats weren’t babied. Granted, they didn’t throw as hard as the guys today do (except Bob Welch, who was working relief at the time), but they also didn’t have as many home runs hit against them. I don’t think Hooten or John would give up many home runs even if pitching today.
It used to be you did your time in the bullpen before you became a starter, if you throw too much before you reach the age of 25, you’ll pretty much blow out your arm, but after the age of 25, if you haven’t thrown too much, your arm will pretty much be immune to those kind of injuries, it’s why Nolan Ryan had the career he did, he started in the Mets bullpen.
Pitchers don’t go more than five or six innings because we’re training them that way.
The sabermetricians discovered that there is a sharp decline in pitchers’ performance the third time through the order, so now managers won’t let them get through the order more than twice.
And they really believe that pitch limits preserve arms. But wouldn’t throwing strengthen the arm?
They’re trying to maximize effectiveness and prevent injuries. i don’t know that they’re approaching it right, but EVERY team sees it that way. Unfortunately.
Tom Glavine lamented the same thing on-air a few nights ago. It’s just a sign of the times when fans can see pitch speeds, and management thinks faster is better. There are exceptions like the Dodgers’ Ryu, who regularly throws 70 mph curves and 80 mph changeups with great location. Repetitive 93mph+ fastballs over and over don’t impress me.