In search of a complete game

AMPA, Fla. – It was the songwriter Bob Dylan who wrote decades ago, “for these times they are a-changin.”

In the universe of major league baseball, these times have been changing for an extended period. Through recent history, absent is the penchant for “small ball,” the use of the bunt, and identifying scoring opportunities through the hit-and-run.

Add the disappearance of a complete game from a starter and roles and responsibilities have been altered and rather dramatically. The game, especially at the major league level, continues to evolve, and for purists, this evolution is unsettling and disturbing.

Regarding this revolving nature, changing the pitcher’s perspective of a pitch count, a physical range of motion, stamina, nature of the opposition, and potential matchups all influence the length of a starter. While Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash says the absence of a complete game is “not a lost art,” strategies now transform the dynamics of the game.

”(A complete game) is a thing that is not happening much anymore,” said Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz. “It’s just the way the game is going. It’s thought about very differently now than in the past. It’s definitely cool to see (a complete game) but that’s the way the game is going.”

Given the inevitable alteration in style and changing physical requirements, there is a strong sense of irony. Starters professed to take the ball as long as they can, but any longevity is dependent upon the manager’s observations, match-ups, the score, looking to innings ahead, and a pitcher’s given history of longevity.

The dichotomy lays in a pitcher’s desire to stay in a given game and that conflicts with evolving metrics and analytics.

“My goal right now is to get deep into games,” said Toronto starter Kevin Gausman after a no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 17. “Every inning I can go is one less guy we don’t use. About going deep and completing games, the numbers say there is a drop in completed games. It’s the way the game is taught, these days. You don’t really have many prospects that are throwing 100 pitches, and those guys don’t do it until they get in the big leagues. It’s hard to do that.”

Gausman went on to identify benchmarks for a complete game.

“One, the pitch count has to be down and other things factor in here,” he added. “These days, you will not get over 110 pitches too often so you have to be efficient. If you’re going nine innings, and to get to 100 pitches, that’s just over 20 pitches per inning.”

To his credit, Gausman has one of 21 complete games in the majors this season and tossed the last complete game in mid-September. That’s when he went the distance on Sept 11 against Houston.

Compare that to 33 complete games, in 41 starts, turned in Phillies’ righthander Robin Roberts just during the 1953 season. For this 19-year major league career, Roberts completed 305 games out of 609 starts. For another, Bob Gibson, who pitched for 17 years in the majors, started 482 games and completed 255.

(Completed games) do not happen as frequently in the past,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “I think its really challenging to do so and I give the pitcher who does this a lot of credit. That shows you’re good and have everything going on that day. You’re efficient, and your defense is playing well behind you. To say a complete game is a lost art, no. It still happens and you do marvel at the guys that are doing this more frequently than others. It shows how talented those pitchers are and how they can maintain their stuff.”

Changing of the guard … The sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to Patrick Zalupski, a Jacksonville real estate developer worth an estimated $54.91 million, is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Heading a group of five other investors, Zalupski is considered the principal financier of this group. Once control is taken from present owner, Stu Sternberg, who is expected to sell the team to Zalupski for a reported $1.7 billion, changes within the organization are expected. Already, Matt Silverman, who has been with the Rays for 22 years and Brian Ault, a tenure of 21 years, both announced they will not be part of the Zalupski regime. “These guys meant quite a great deal to me, and I don’t want to get emotional,” said Kevin Cash, the Rays field manager. “It’s a tough day and I will need some time to process because Matt and Brian and very special to me.” … Also alleged to be out is Erik Neander, president of baseball operations. Completing his eighth year with the team, Neander is rumored to land with the Washington Nationals in an important, baseball-decision capacity. … In the meantime, repairs to Tropicana Field continue on time and are scheduled to be completed for the Rays’ 2026 home opener on April 6 against the Chicago Cubs.

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