I know 19th century baseball is a different game altogether, but WOW!

[cjedmonton]

I was just killing time when I came across Albert Spalding's phenomenal 1875 season. Check out his record, innings pitched, walks, and strikeout total. Unbelievable. Also, his career W/L isn't too shabby either!



Albert Goodwill Spalding


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[Glenn]

WOW. His 1875 year was great

55-5
52 Complete games
8 Saves, 7 Shutouts and a 1.52 ERA

[cjedmonton]

That has to be the motherlode of all seasons (with all due respect to Charley Radbourn). Also, how did he manage only 9 strikeouts in 575 innings? That's what amazes me the most, along with the 14 walks he surrendered.

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[MetsFan11368]

Originally posted by Glenn
WOW. His 1875 year was great

55-5
52 Complete games
8 Saves, 7 Shutouts and a 1.52 ERA

Not to mention.....

AB 343
BA .312
RBI 56
SLG .373


I wonder how much George would be willing to pay him for his services today?

[sopclod]

Originally posted by cjedmonton
That has to be the motherlode of all seasons (with all due respect to Charley Radbourn). Also, how did he manage only 9 strikeouts in 575 innings? That's what amazes me the most, along with the 14 walks he surrendered.

Isn't this at the time when pitchers basically underhanded the ball up to batters? Also you had to throw like nine balls to issue a walk. In other words, saying it was a different game then is putting it mildly. Those numbers are meaningless by today's standards. Still, they are fun to look at.

[cjedmonton]

Well, I wouldn't call any achievement of this magnitude meaningless, otherwise you'd have to dismiss every modern day record due to the technological advantages and amenities enjoyed by today's players.
Every pitcher in the league at that time had to abide by the same rules as Spalding, yet no one else even came close to emulating his remarkable 1875 campaign. If those sort of numbers were "run of the mill", then perhaps you could chalk it up such limitations as the underhanded throw, 9 balls per walk, etc... If you look at any other pitcher during that timeframe, you'll see that his 1875 effort stands head and shoulders above the rest.


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[Baseball Guru]

The year before in "84" he actually pitched 616 innings and gave up 753 hits

Not a typo, really 753 hits

I think that only John Coleman, who gave up 772 hits in 1883 gave up more hits in major league history....

[MetsFan11368]

Originally posted by Baseball Guru

Not a typo, really 753 hits

.....and with an ERA of 2.35 and only 11 SO's...is that bizzare or what?

[Jose Tartabul]

Originally posted by Baseball Guru
The year before in "84" he actually pitched 616 innings and gave up 753 hits

Not a typo, really 753 hits

I think that only John Coleman, who gave up 772 hits in 1883 gave up more hits in major league history....

Did walks and getting on base by an error count as a hit then?

[Eddie Collins]

The low strike out numbers were a combination of the following:

-Hitters can more easily make contact with the slower, undergand pitch

-Fouls weren't strikes

-the number of strikes for an out fluctuated between 3 and 4

-there was no "swinging for the fences" to result in more k's

[Brooksie]

Leading the League in Wins

Plus leading the league in wins for six straight years

[sopclod]

Originally posted by cjedmonton
Well, I wouldn't call any achievement of this magnitude meaningless, otherwise you'd have to dismiss every modern day record due to the technological advantages and amenities enjoyed by today's players.
Every pitcher in the league at that time had to abide by the same rules as Spalding, yet no one else even came close to emulating his remarkable 1875 campaign. If those sort of numbers were "run of the mill", then perhaps you could chalk it up such limitations as the underhanded throw, 9 balls per walk, etc... If you look at any other pitcher during that timeframe, you'll see that his 1875 effort stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Yeah, you're right. I always envision guys basicall throwing batting practice, or tossing it up there like when you have a family softball game. But as some have already pointed out, underhand doesn't necessarily mean slow or without some form of deception/movement.

[rudy]

I think SO stands for shoutouts, no? Doesnt that make more sense?

I was looking, but there doesnt seem to be a strikeout category.

How much would this guy go for in a fantasy league?

Did anyone else notice he only gave up 1 HR? I know they were rare, but one dinger in that many innings?

[Sashag]

Yes, for hitters, SO does stand for strikeouts. for pitching, SHO is shutouts. Here is a great stat, during the 1941 season, in which he played in 139 games and had 541 AB's, DiMaggio only K'ed 13 times. Just 13!!!! During that same season Teddy Ballgame played in 143 games had 456 AB's and K'ed 27 times. -Sasha

[bballfan]

WOW!! He started over 60 games 3 consecutive years, won more than 50 two years.

Wonder is his arm fell off in 1877 since he only had 1 start? Talk about overworked.