Baseball thrives on stats. Some make sense. Some just give guys who never played a chance at a job involving math. Let's consider the "QUALITY START". By definition it's when a pitcher gives up three earned runs or less in than six innings. That is an ERA of 4.50 which is not "quality". Doug Fister went seven in Oakland Wednesday giving those guys nada. That is a quality start by definition. I like COMPLETE GAMES. A rare stat indeed. Last season Johnny Cueto led the BIGS with a grand total of four. You have to go back to 2011 to find a pitcher in either league that got into double figures in complete games. James Shields of the Rays HAD 11.
I LIKE LARRY DIERKER'S take on this subject. He thinks before too long a pitcher will be tipping his cap to the crowd when he gets through three innings. Larry also thinks if a pitcher makes $8-12 million per year he should be able to get lefties and righties out. How original. Back to the quality start thing. Randy Johnson once threw a complete game with 19k's but gave up 4 runs. NOT A QUALITY START. Mike Scott worked six innings in 1982 giving up seven runs on seven hits and walked five. Only three of the seven runs were earned. QUALITY START.
I know the game has changed and we have specialists who throw one pitch to one hitter and the set up guy is out there before the closer, but I prefer the good old days. BUCKY WALTERS OF THE REDS threw 87 complete games in a three year span. 87. THAT IS QUALITY.