There have been thousands of pitchers over the years in baseball, yet only 24 of them have reached the 300 level. Since 1990 only 5 of the 24 have been able to win their three hundredth. Those 5 are: Nolan Ryan, Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson.
So why is it such an uncommon feat? I think the main reason is that modern day pitchers don't get to pitch as many innings. If a pitcher stays healthy and plays for a full 20 years he is likely to get a maximum of 680-700 starts. A great pitcher may win half of his starts, so that would mean the potential to win 340-350 in a career. Most pitchers are not able to pitch 20 years and stay healthy though.
Greg Maddux was one of the best. In his 23 year career he had 740 starts. He won 61% of his starts, an amazing stat. He was healthy for almost all of his career except for two years in the mid 90's. In fact in all but three years, Maddux had over 30 starts. Even in his two years that he had an injury he still managed to win 16 one year and 19 in the other. Here is the remarkable stat: Maddux only had two years that he won 20 games, he had many years of 16-19 wins.
In 1986, Maddux first year, he had six games and finished 2-4 on the year. Not a great beginning. He did manage to win game #1 and game #2 during that unimpressive first year.
What is the lesson learned here? Be patient with young pitchers, because if they can stay healthy and learn how to pitch, the future can be very bright. Maybe they will be the next Greg Maddux.
Craig Stammen of the Washington Nationals won his first game and did it in style. After waiting for the start for over 5 hours, Stammen took the mound against the Yankees and Joba Chamberlain. When all the dust had settled, well it had settled much earlier because of all the rain, Stammen had shut down the Yanks with a 3-0 shutout win. Congratulations to Craig Stammen on his first win of his career. Just 299 more to go.
In order to win 300, you have to win the first one. That goes without saying.
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