Why Pitchers Are Breaking Down

[Stokes1931]

Interesting take here:

With more pitchers breaking down, time to rethink modern bullpen - Tom Verducci - SI.com

 

[gp956]

I'd suggest that advances in the ability to repair damage should lead to more cases of damage, as the cost of "breaking down" is now lower.

 

[msgkings322]

Interesting take here:

With more pitchers breaking down, time to rethink modern bullpen - Tom Verducci - SI.com

Great find. Repped.

 

[tzill]

Interesting take here:

With more pitchers breaking down, time to rethink modern bullpen - Tom Verducci - SI.com

Great grab, Stokes. I've got a percolating argument/discussion brewing with a HS teammate regarding the need for a "closer" at all. My gut tells me there is a difference between closing games and pitching other innings, but I may ne wrong. Iirc, there are some Fangraph articles on the topic I need to re-read.

 

[calsnowskier]

Comparing innings and numbers for pitchers today vs pitchers from 30+ years ago is a fool’s errand. The rolls have become so hyper-specialized, that it is almost apples/oranges. 200 IP today represents MUCH more wear and tear on a pitcher than 200 IP did 30 years ago.

The off-field work per IP a pitcher does today (or per PA for a hitter, for that matter) is completely different from what a pitcher did in the 80s and before. Training has become so advanced that players need to push themselves to levels that will, necessarily, shorten their effective lives. It is not just the time on the mound during the game. It is the time in the gym, in the trainer’s room, or at the dietician’s office as well.

30, 40, 50 years ago, the training was not to the same level, so once a “talent” was found, he was not as easily replaced as he is today. They needed to make sure he lasted for as long as possible. Today, players cannot get by on talent alone. The scouting, competition, speed, etc of today’s game requires an 11.5 month / year commitment vs the 6 month / year commitment it took before. That will, naturally, take a toll on a person’s body.

 

[mistgl]

Comparing innings and numbers for pitchers today vs pitchers from 30+ years ago is a fool’s errand. The rolls have become so hyper-specialized, that it is almost apples/oranges. 200 IP today represents MUCH more wear and tear on a pitcher than 200 IP did 30 years ago.

The off-field work per IP a pitcher does today (or per PA for a hitter, for that matter) is completely different from what a pitcher did in the 80s and before. Training has become so advanced that players need to push themselves to levels that will, necessarily, shorten their effective lives. It is not just the time on the mound during the game. It is the time in the gym, in the trainer’s room, or at the dietician’s office as well.

30, 40, 50 years ago, the training was not to the same level, so once a “talent” was found, he was not as easily replaced as he is today. They needed to make sure he lasted for as long as possible. Today, players cannot get by on talent alone. The scouting, competition, speed, etc of today’s game requires an 11.5 month / year commitment vs the 6 month / year commitment it took before. That will, naturally, take a toll on a person’s body.

What he said, and I don't care what anyone says, but people throw harder now.

 

[gp956]

What he said, and I don't care what anyone says, but people throw harder now.

Yes.

 

[Mays-Fan]

What he said, and I don't care what anyone says, but people throw harder now.

I would add that the types of pitches being thrown as well play into this. To me it is just not natural to throw splitters and other types of off-speed pitches while using the same motion as a fastball to disguise it. It has to strain the shoulder and elbow.

For us, it also has to be a further disadvantage to play in SF. The colder weather tightens muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and makes it harder to get and stay properly warm.

 

[calsnowskier]

I would add that the types of pitches being thrown as well play into this. To me it is just not natural to throw splitters and other types of off-speed pitches while using the same motion as a fastball to disguise it. It has to strain the shoulder and elbow.

For us, it also has to be a further disadvantage to play in SF. The colder weather tightens muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and makes it harder to get and stay properly warm.

Good point.

It all comes down to this one point...

Competition has risen to the point that if you do not blow yourself out, you simply are not competing. The money involved in the sport forces these kinds of sacrifices to be made by it's participants.

If you are not willing to destroy your body for the sport (or the paycheck), someone else will.

 

[gp956]

Good point.

It all comes down to this one point...

Competition has risen to the point that if you do not blow yourself out, you simply are not competing. The money involved in the sport forces these kinds of sacrifices to be made by it's participants.

If you are not willing to destroy your body for the sport (or the paycheck), someone else will.

Sounds like something Congress needs to get involved in.

 

[calsnowskier]

Sounds like something Congress needs to get involved in.

I came to a baseball message board, and all of the sudden, an NHL playoff game breaks out...

 

[Stokes1931]

Comparing innings and numbers for pitchers today vs pitchers from 30+ years ago is a fool’s errand. The rolls have become so hyper-specialized, that it is almost apples/oranges. 200 IP today represents MUCH more wear and tear on a pitcher than 200 IP did 30 years ago.

The off-field work per IP a pitcher does today (or per PA for a hitter, for that matter) is completely different from what a pitcher did in the 80s and before. Training has become so advanced that players need to push themselves to levels that will, necessarily, shorten their effective lives. It is not just the time on the mound during the game. It is the time in the gym, in the trainer’s room, or at the dietician’s office as well.

30, 40, 50 years ago, the training was not to the same level, so once a “talent” was found, he was not as easily replaced as he is today. They needed to make sure he lasted for as long as possible. Today, players cannot get by on talent alone. The scouting, competition, speed, etc of today’s game requires an 11.5 month / year commitment vs the 6 month / year commitment it took before. That will, naturally, take a toll on a person’s body.

This is me being a late afternoon , mostly because I have nothing to add to this.

:ss: