90% of our Starts were Quality

[GiambiJuice]

Since 1900, there have only been four times that at least 90% of a pitcher's starts in a single season were quality starts. A quality start is defined as pitching at least 6 innings and allowing 3 or fewer earned runs. Name the four pitchers and the years. No pitcher accomplished this more than once.

(minimum 20 games started)

1. Maddux 1994 - 24 QS in 25 starts
2. Gibson 1968 - 32 QS in 34 starts
3. Gooden 1985 - 33 QS in 35 starts
4. Reuschel 1985 - 24 QS in 26 starts

[BigRon]

Don't know who they are, but most likely they pitched in low offense eras. That probably means early 1900s, before WW1; mid- late 60s; or during the 80s. It's a lot easier to have a 6 IP, 3 ER game in 1967 than it is in 1930 or 2001. I'd guess that it's not in the early era, because many top starters before the 20s were starting 40- 45 times a year. More starts, more chances for things to go awry.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Pedro Martinez
Roger Clemens
Greg Maddux

[GiambiJuice]

Don't know who they are, but most likely they pitched in low offense eras. That probably means early 1900s, before WW1; mid- late 60s; or during the 80s. It's a lot easier to have a 6 IP, 3 ER game in 1967 than it is in 1930 or 2001. I'd guess that it's not in the early era, because many top starters before the 20s were starting 40- 45 times a year. More starts, more chances for things to go awry.

A bigger issue for the old timers than the number of starts is the fact that they pitched much deeper into games. 9 IP with 4 ER is a "better" start than 6 IP with 3 ER but the former doesn't count as a Quality Start while the latter does.

[GiambiJuice]

Pedro Martinez
Roger Clemens
Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux is correct but we need the year too.

[Ben Grimm]

Gotta go with the hometown guy - Steve Carlton '72.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Greg Maddux 1995

[GiambiJuice]

Gotta go with the hometown guy - Steve Carlton '72.

Incorrect.

......

[GiambiJuice]

Greg Maddux 1995

Incorrect.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Bob Gibson 1968
Dwight Gooden 1985
Lefty Grove 1931
Carl Hubbell 1933
Denny McLain 1968
Orel Hershiser 1984 or 1988
Dean Chance 1964

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Greg maddux 1994

[BigRon]

A bigger issue for the old timers than the number of starts is the fact that they pitched much deeper into games. 9 IP with 4 ER is a "better" start than 6 IP with 3 ER but the former doesn't count as a Quality Start while the latter does.

Agreed- I meant to add that but didn't.

[GiambiJuice]

Gibson '68, Gooden '85, and Maddux '94 are correct. One more to go.

[BigRon]

I'll take a stab-

Sandy Koufax 1964 or
Sandy Koufax 1965

[GiambiJuice]

I'll take a stab-

Sandy Koufax 1964 or
Sandy Koufax 1965

Koufax is incorrect.