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Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Complete Game Save
By Tangotiger
Jack Morris thinks that if he pitches a complete game in a win (presumably by a margin of score of 3 runs or less) that he deserves a save. I’m ok with that I guess. Morris has 111 complete games among his 254 wins. I don’t know how many would have qualified for a save, but let’s say that number is 90 or so. So, he gets 254 wins and 90 saves. Bert Blyleven is at 287 wins and 167 complete games, so let’s give him 130 saves. Smoltz has 207 wins, 43 CG in those wins (let’s say 30 “saves") plus 154 actual saves. From this standpoint, Smoltz doesn’t look so good. He’s got 94 total “saves” on Morris, but 47 wins short. Smoltz though, is a far better pitcher than Morris. Plus, he actually has had fantastic post-season numbers.