|
When
I started, I laboriously analyzed the data by hand. I counted
every one of the pitches, batters and so on. While this procedure
required considerable time, I felt as though I understood the
data. I wanted to know what pitches worked against what batters.
I did not want to pitch only from instinct, I wanted to quantify
my successes and failures.
a. My 1971
Major League Season
Throughout
my 1971 Montreal Expo season, I carefully recorded every pitch
that I threw to every hitter. In 66 games, I pitched 111 innings,
walked 50 hitters, gave up 100 hits, struck out 85 for a 4.30
earned run average. From the game-by-game raw data sheets, I
compiled my 1971 report.
1971 Report
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
Batters/innings: 466/111.1 = 4.19 batters per inning
2. Pitches/innings: 1645/111.1 = 14.8 pitches per inning
3. LH batters/batters: 226/466 = 48.5% LH batters
4. RH batters/batters: 240/466 = 51.5% RH batters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Pitch-Type Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
Fastballs/pitches: 542/1645 = 32.9% fastballs
6. Sliders/pitches: 618/1645 = 37.6% sliders
7. Screwballs/pitches: 485/1645 = 29.5% screwballs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
Fastball strikes/fastballs: 363/542 = 67.0% fastball strikes
9. LH bat FB strikes/LH bat FB: 185/285 = 64.9% LH batter FB
strikes
10. RH bat FB strikes/RH bat FB: 178/257 = 69.3% RH batter FB
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
Slider strikes/sliders: 403/618 = 65.2% slider strikes
12. LH bat SL strikes/LH bat SL: 187/272 = 68.8% LH batter SL
strikes
13. RH bat SL strikes/RH bat SL: 216/346 = 62.4% RH batter SL
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
Screwball strikes/screwballs: 261/485 = 53.8% screwball strikes
15. LH bat SC strikes/LH bat SC: 143/258 = 55.4% LH batter SC
strikes
16. RH bat SC strikes/RH bat SC: 118/227 = 52.0% RH batter SC
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
Fastball singles/singles: 30/68 = 44.1% fastball singles
18. Slider singles/singles: 28/68 = 41.2% slider singles
19. Screwball singles/singles: 10/68 = 14.7% screwball singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
LH bat FB singles/LH bat singles: 13/27 = 48.1% LH bat FB singles
21. LH bat SL singles/LH bat singles: 9/27 = 33.3% LH bat SL
singles
22. LH bat SC singles/LH bat singles: 5/27 = 18.5% LH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
RH bat FB singles/RH bat singles: 17/41 = 41.5% RH bat FB singles
24. RH bat SL singles/RH bat singles: 19/41 = 46.3% RH bat SL
singles
25. RH bat SC singles/RH bat singles: 5/41 = 12.2% RH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
Extra base hits/hits: 31/99 = 31.3% Extra base hits
27. LH bat EBH/LH bat hits: 19/46 = 41.3% LH bat EBH
28. RH bat EBH/RH bat hits: 12/53 = 22.6% RH bat EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
Fastball extra base hits/EBH: 10/31 = 32.2% fastball EBH
30. Slider extra base hits/EBH: 13/31 = 41.9% slider EBH
31. Screwball extra base hits/EBH: 8/31 = 25.8% screwball EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
LH bat FB EBH/LH bat EBH: 6/19 = 31.6% LH bat FB EBH
33. LH bat SL EBH/LH bat EBH: 8/19 = 42.1% LH bat SL EBH
34. LH bat SC EBH/LH bat EBH: 5/19 = 26.3% LH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
RH bat FB EBH/RH bat EBH: 4/12 = 33.3% RH bat FB EBH
36. RH bat SL EBH/RH bat EBH: 5/12 = 41.7% RH bat SL EBH
37. RH bat SC EBH/RH bat EBH: 3/12 = 25.0% RH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Non-Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
Base on Balls/Batters: 35/466 = 07.11% Base on Balls
39. LH bat Base on Balls/LH bat: 18/226 = 07.96% LH Base on Balls
40. RH bat Base on Balls/RH bat: 17/240 = 07.08% RH bat Base
on Balls
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
Int Base on Balls/Batters: 12/466 = 02.58% Int Base on Balls
42. LH bat IBB/LH bat: 2/226 = 00.88% LH bat IBB
43. RH bat IBB/RH bat: 10/240 = 04.17% RH bat IBB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
Hit By Pitch/Batters: 4/466 = 00.86% Hit By Pitch
45. LH bat HBP/LH bat: 3/226 = 01.33% LH bat HBP
46. RH bat HBP/RH bat: 1/240 = 00.42% RH bat HBP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
Sac Bunt/Batters: 8/466 = 01.72% Sac Bunt
48. LH bat Sac Bunt/LH bat: 3/226 = 01.33% LH bat Sac Bunt
49. RH bat Sac Bunt/RH bat: 5/240 = 02.08% RH bat Sac Bunt
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
Sac Fly/Batters: 2/466 = 00.43% Sac Fly
51. LH bat Sac Fly/LH bat: 1/226 = 00.44% LH bat Sac Fly
52. RH bat Sac Fly/RH bat: 1/240 = 00.42% RH bat Sac Fly
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Hitter Batting Averages
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
LH bat hits/LH official AB: 46/199 = .231 LH batting average
54. RH bat hits/RH official AB: 53/205 = .259 RH batting average
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitch-Type Success Results
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
Fastball outs/outs: 101/313 = 32.3% fastball outs
56. Slider outs/outs: 116/313 = 37.1% slider outs
57. Screwball outs/outs: 96/313 = 30.7% screwball outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
58.
LH bat FB outs/LH bat outs: 47/153 = 30.7% LH batter FB outs
59. LH bat SL outs/LH bat outs: 53/153 = 34.6% LH batter SL outs
60. LH bat SC outs/LH bat outs: 53/153 = 34.6% LH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
61.
RH bat FB outs/RH bat outs: 54/160 = 33.8% RH batter FB outs
62. RH bat SL outs/RH bat outs: 63/160 = 39.4% RH batter SL outs
63. RH bat SC outs/RH bat outs: 43/160 = 26.9% RH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
64.
FB strikeouts/strikeouts: 32/84 = 38.1% fastball strikeouts
65. SL strikeouts/strikeouts: 12/84 = 14.3% slider strikeouts
66. SC strikeouts/strikeouts: 40/84 = 47.6% screwball strikeouts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
67.
LH bat FB K's/LH bat K's: 16/39 = 41.0% LH batter FB K's
68. LH bat SL K's/LH bat K's: 2/39 = 5.1% LH batter SL K's
69. LH bat SC K's/LH bat K's: 21/39 = 53.8% LH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
70.
RH bat FB K's/RH bat K's: 16/45 = 35.6% RH batter FB K's
71. RH bat SL K's/RH bat K's: 10/45 = 22.2% RH batter SL K's
72. RH bat SC K's/RH bat K's: 19/45 = 42.2% RH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From
this analysis, I pulled out several valuable findings:
1.
I threw 32.9% fastballs.
2. I threw 67.0% fastball strikes.
3. I threw 37.6% sliders.
4. I threw 65.2% slider strikes.
5. I threw 29.5% screwballs.
6. I threw 53.8% screwball strikes.
7. Extra base hits comprised 31.3% of all hits.
8. Left-handed hitters batted .231.
9. Right-handed hitters batted .259.
Screwballs
achieved great results. However, I only threw 53.8% screwball
strikes. I had to improve my screwball strike percentage. Therefore,
during the 1971-1972 off-season, I biomechanically analyzed my
pitching motion. During the same high speed 16 mm filming in
which I filmed me throwing the fastball that I analyzed in Chapter 2, I also filmed me throwing
my screwball.
I
learned that I had a good release with a good spin axis and spin
velocity that resulted in good movement and an unpredictable
decrease in horizontal velocity. However, I also learned that
I did not have a straight driveline from leverage through release.
Therefore, during that off-season, I worked every day to adjust
my screwball driveline.
b. My 1972
Major League Season
Throughout
my 1972 Montreal Expo season, I again carefully recorded every
pitch that I threw to every hitter. In 65 games, I pitched 116
innings, walked 47 hitters, gave up 82 hits, struck out 95 for
a 1.78 earned run average. From the game-by-game raw data sheets,
I compiled my 1972 report.
1972 Report
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
Batters/innings: 468/115.2 = 4.06 batters per inning
2. Pitches/innings: 1635/115.2 = 14.2 pitches per inning
3. LH batters/batters: 202/468 = 43.2% LH batters
4. RH batters/batters: 266/468 = 56.8% RH batters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Pitch-Type Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
Fastballs/pitches: 491/1635 = 30.0% fastballs
6. Sliders/pitches: 337/1635 = 20.6% sliders
7. Screwballs/pitches: 807/1635 = 49.4% screwballs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
Fastball strikes/fastballs: 316/491 = 64.4% fastball strikes
9. LH bat FB strikes/LH bat FB: 134/212 = 63.2% LH batter FB
strikes
10. RH bat FB strikes/RH bat FB: 182/279 = 65.2% RH batter FB
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
Slider strikes/sliders: 235/337 = 69.7% slider strikes
12. LH bat SL strikes/LH bat SL: 79/113 = 69.9% LH batter SL
strikes
13. RH bat SL strikes/RH bat SL: 156/224 = 69.6% RH batter SL
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
Screwball strikes/screwballs: 508/807 = 62.9% screwball strikes
15. LH bat SC strikes/LH bat SC: 245/406 = 60.3% LH batter SC
strikes
16. RH bat SC strikes/RH bat SC: 263/401 = 65.6% RH batter SC
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
Fastball singles/singles: 18/68 = 26.5% fastball singles
18. Slider singles/singles: 20/68 = 29.4% slider singles
19. Screwball singles/singles: 30/68 = 44.1% screwball singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
LH bat FB singles/LH bat singles: 7/24 = 29.2% LH bat FB singles
21. LH bat SL singles/LH bat singles: 8/24 = 33.3% LH bat SL
singles
22. LH bat SC singles/LH bat singles: 9/24 = 37.5% LH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
RH bat FB singles/RH bat singles: 11/44 = 25.0% RH bat FB singles
24. RH bat SL singles/RH bat singles: 12/44 = 27.3% RH bat SL
singles
25. RH bat SC singles/RH bat singles: 21/44 = 47.7% RH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
Extra base hits/hits: 14/82 = 17.1% Extra base hits
27. LH bat EBH/LH bat hits: 6/30 = 20.0% LH bat EBH
28. RH bat EBH/RH bat hits: 8/52 = 15.4% RH bat EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
Fastball extra base hits/EBH: 4/14 = 28.6% fastball EBH
30. Slider extra base hits/EBH: 3/14 = 7.1% slider EBH
31. Screwball extra base hits/EBH: 7/14 = 50.0% screwball EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
LH bat FB EBH/LH bat EBH: 3/6 = 50.0% LH bat FB EBH
33. LH bat SL EBH/LH bat EBH: 1/6 = 16.7% LH bat SL EBH
34. LH bat SC EBH/LH bat EBH: 2/6 = 33.3% LH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
RH bat FB EBH/RH bat EBH: 1/8 = 12.5% RH bat FB EBH
36. RH bat SL EBH/RH bat EBH: 2/8 = 25.0% RH bat SL EBH
37. RH bat SC EBH/RH bat EBH: 5/8 = 62.5% RH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Non-Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
Base on Balls/Batters: 37/468 = 07.91% Base on Balls
39. LH bat Base on Balls/LH bat: 20/202 = 09.90% LH bat Base
on Balls
40. RH bat Base on Balls/RH bat: 17/266 = 06.39% RH bat Base
on Balls
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
Int Base on Balls/Batters: 7/468 = 01.50% Int Base on Balls
42. LH bat IBB/LH bat: 6/202 = 02.97% LH bat IBB
43. RH bat IBB/LH bat: 1/266 = 00.38% RH bat IBB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
Hit By Pitch/Batters: 2/468 = 00.43% Hit By Pitch
45. LH bat HBP/LH bat: 1/202 = 00.50% LH bat HBP
46. RH bat HBP/RH bat: 1/266 = 00.38% RH bat HBP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
Sac Bunt/Batters: 6/468 = 01.28% Sac Bunt
48. LH bat Sac Bunt/LH bat: 0/202 = 00.00% LH bat Sac Bunt
49. RH bat Sac Bunt/RH bat: 6/266 = 02.26% RH bat Sac Bunt
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
Sac Fly/Batters: 4/468 = 00.85% Sac Fly
51. LH bat Sac Fly/LH bat: 0/202 = 00.00% LH bat Sac Fly
52. RH bat Sac Fly/RH bat: 4/266 = 01.50% RH bat Sac Fly
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter Batting Averages
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
LH bat hits/LH official AB: 30/175 = .171 LH batting average
54. RH bat hits/RH official AB: 52/237 = .219 RH batting average
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitch-Type Success Results
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
Fastball outs/outs: 79/332 = 24.0% fastball outs
56. Slider outs/outs: 74/332 = 22.3% slider outs
57. Screwball outs/outs: 189/332 = 56.9% screwball outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
58.
LH bat FB outs/LH bat outs: 28/144 = 19.4% LH batter FB outs
59. LH bat SL outs/LH bat outs: 23/144 = 16.0% LH batter SL outs
60. LH bat SC outs/LH bat outs: 93/144 = 64.6% LH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
61.
RH bat FB outs/RH bat outs: 51/188 = 27.1% RH batter FB outs
62. RH bat SL outs/RH bat outs: 51/188 = 27.1% RH batter SL outs
63. RH bat SC outs/RH bat outs: 86/188 = 45.7% RH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
64.
FB strikeouts/strikeouts: 18/92 = 19.6% fastball strikeouts
65. SL strikeouts/strikeouts: 6/92 = 6.5% slider strikeouts
66. SC strikeouts/strikeouts: 68/92 = 73.9% screwball strikeouts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
67.
LH bat FB K's/LH bat K's: 6/37 = 16.2% LH batter FB K's
68. LH bat SL K's/LH bat K's: 2/37 = 5.4% LH batter SL K's
69. LH bat SC K's/LH bat K's: 29/37 = 78.4% LH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
70.
RH bat FB K's/RH bat K's: 12/55 = 21.9% RH batter FB K's
71. RH bat SL K's/RH bat K's: 4/55 = 7.3% RH batter SL K's
72. RH bat SC K's/RH bat K's: 39/55 = 70.9% RH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From
this analysis, I pulled out several valuable findings:
1.
In 1971, I threw 32.9% fastballs.
1a. In 1972, I threw 30.0% fastballs.
2.
In 1971, I threw 67.0% fastball strikes.
2a. In 1972, I threw 64.4% fastball strikes.
3.
In 1971, I threw 37.6% sliders.
3a. In 1972, I threw 20.6% sliders.
4.
In 1971, I threw 65.2% slider strikes.
4a. In 1972, I threw 69.7% slider strikes.
5.
In 1971, I threw 29.5% screwballs.
5a. In 1972, I threw 49.4% screwballs.
6.
In 1971, I threw 53.8% screwball strikes.
6a. In 1972, I threw 62.9% screwball strikes.
7.
In 1971, extra base hits comprised 31.3% of all hits.
7a. In 1972, extra base hits comprised 17.1% of the hits.
8.
In 1971, left-handed hitters batted .231.
8a. In 1972, left-handed hitters batted .171.
9.
In 1971, right-handed hitters batted .259.
9a. In 1972, right-handed hitters batted .219.
I
decreased my fastball pitch selection 2.9%. I decreased my slider
pitch selection 17.0%. I increased my screwball percentage 19.9%.
I increased my screwball strike percentage 9.1%. I decreased
my extra base hit percentage 12.2%. I decreased left-handed hitter
batting average fifty points. I decreased right-handed hitter
batting average forty points. I increased the percentage of struck
out batters struck out with screwballs 31.3%. Clearly, the technique
adjustments I made with my screwball generated positive results.
c. My 1973
Major League Season
I
expected to continue my 1972 pitching success during 1973. However,
National League hitters planned otherwise. Hitters anticipated
my screwball and hit it hard. Fortunately, I adjusted. However,
I needed pitching room. After Montreal Expo field Manager Gene
Mauch and I discussed the situation, Gene gave me pitching room.
As a result, we turned 1973 into another successful season.
Throughout my 1973 Montreal Expo season, I again carefully recorded
every pitch that I threw to every hitter. In 92 games, I pitched
179 innings, walked 75 hitters, gave up 163 hits, struck out
124 for a 2.66 earned run average. From this game-by-game raw
data, I compiled my 1973 report.
1973 Report
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
Batters/innings: 748/177.7 = 4.21 batters per inning
2. Pitches/innings: 2673/177.7 = 15.0 pitches per inning
3. LH batters/batters: 325/748 = 43.4% LH batters
4. RH batters/batters: 423/748 = 56.6% RH batters
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
General Pitch-Type Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
Fastballs/pitches: 1031/2673 = 38.6% fastballs
6. Sliders/pitches: 581/2673 = 21.7% sliders
7. Screwballs/pitches: 1061/2673 = 39.7% screwballs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
Fastball strikes/fastballs: 702/1031 = 68.1% fastball strikes
9. LH bat FB strikes/LH bat FB: 304/441 = 68.9% LH batter FB
strikes
10. RH bat FB strikes/RH bat FB: 398/590 = 67.5% RH batter FB
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
Slider strikes/sliders: 378/581 = 65.1% slider strikes
12. LH bat SL strikes/LH bat SL: 137/205 = 66.8% LH batter SL
strikes
13. RH bat SL strikes/RH bat SL: 241/376 = 64.1% RH batter SL
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
Screwball strikes/screwball: 222/1061 = 58.6% screwball strikes
15. LH bat SC strikes/LH bat SC: 299/516 = 57.9% LH batter SC
strikes
16. RH bat SC strikes/RH bat SC: 322/545 = 59.1% RH batter SC
strikes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
Fastball singles/singles: 39/126 = 30.9% fastball singles
18. Slider singles/singles: 36/126 = 28.6% slider singles
19. Screwball singles/singles: 51/126 = 40.5% screwball singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
LH bat FB singles/LH bat singles: 11/55 = 20.0% LH bat FB singles
21. LH bat SL singles/LH bat singles: 15/55 = 27.3% LH bat SL
singles
22. LH bat SC singles/LH bat singles: 29/55 = 52.7% LH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
RH bat FB singles/RH bat singles: 28/71 = 39.4% RH bat FB singles
24. RH bat SL singles/RH bat singles: 21/71 = 29.6% RH bat SL
singles
25. RH bat SC singles/RH bat singles: 22/71 = 31.0% RH bat SC
singles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
Extra base hits/hits: 30/155 = 19.4% Extra base hits
27. LH bat EBH/LH bat hits: 10/65 = 15.4% LH bat EBH
28. RH bat EBH/RH bat hits: 19/90 = 21.1% RH bat EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
Fastball extra base hits/EBH: 13/29 = 44.8% Fastball EBH
30. Slider extra base hits/EBH: 8/29 = 27.6% Slider EBH
31. Screwball extra base hits/EBH: 8/29 = 27.6% Screwball EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
LH bat FB EBH/LH bat EBH: 6/10 = 60.0% LH bat FB EBH
33. LH bat SL EBH/LH bat EBH: 1/10 = 10.0% LH bat SL EBH
34. LH bat SC EBH/LH bat EBH: 3/10 = 30.0% LH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
RH bat FB EBH/RH bat EBH: 7/19 = 36.8% RH bat FB EBH
36. RH bat SL EBH/RH bat EBH: 7/19 = 36.8% RH bat SL EBH
37. RH bat SC EBH/RH bat EBH: 5/19 = 26.3% RH bat SC EBH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Non-Hit Result Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
Base on Balls/Batters: 62/748 = 08.3% Base on Balls
39. LH bat Base on Balls/LH bat: 23/325 = 07.1% LH bat Base on
Balls
40. RH bat Base on Balls/RH bat: 39/423 = 09.2% RH bat Base on
Balls
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
Int Base on Balls/Batters: 10/748 = 01.34% Int Base on Balls
42. LH bat IBB/LH bat: 3/325 = 00.92% LH bat IBB
43. RH bat IBB/RH bat: 7/423 = 01.65% RH bat IBB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
Hit By Pitch/Batters: 4/748 = 00.53% Hit By Pitch
45. LH bat HBP/LH bat: 1/325 = 00.31% LH bat HBP
46. RH bat HBP/RH bat: 3/423 = 00.71% RH bat HBP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
Sac Bunt/Batters: 14/748 = 01.87% Sac Bunt
48. LH bat Sac Bunt/LH bat: 6/325 = 01.85% LH bat Sac Bunt
49. RH bat Sac Bunt/RH bat: 8/423 = 01.89% RH bat Sac Bunt
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
Sac Fly/Batters: 5/748 = 00.67% Sac Fly
51. LH bat Sac Fly/LH bat: 2/325 = 00.62% LH bat Sac Fly
52. RH bat Sac Fly/RH bat: 3/423 = 00.71% RH bat Sac Fly
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Left and Right-Handed Batter Batting Averages
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
LH bat hits/LH official AB: 65/290 = .224 LH batting average
54. RH bat hits/RH official AB: 90/363 = .248 RH batting average
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitch-Type Success Results
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
FB outs/outs: 193/498 = 38.8% fastball outs
56. SL outs/outs: 129/498 = 25.9% slider outs
57. SC outs/outs: 176/498 = 35.3% screwball outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
58.
LH bat FB outs/LH bat outs: 82/223 = 36.8% LH batter FB outs
59. LH bat SL outs/LH bat outs: 47/223 = 21.1% LH batter SL outs
60. LH bat SC outs/LH bat outs: 94/223 = 42.2% LH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
61.
RH bat FB outs/RH bat outs: 111/275 = 40.4% RH batter FB outs
62. RH bat SL outs/RH bat outs: 82/275 = 29.8% RH batter SL outs
63. RH bat SC outs/RH bat outs: 82/275 = 29.8% RH batter SC outs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
64.
FB strikeouts/strikeouts: 37/120 = 30.8% FB strikeouts
65. SL strikeouts/strikeouts: 19/120 = 15.8% SL strikeouts
66. SC strikeouts/strikeouts: 64/120 = 53.3% SC strikeouts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
67.
LH bat FB K's/LH bat K's: 18/56 = 32.1% LH batter FB K's
68. LH bat SL K's/LH bat K's: 8/56 = 14.3% LH batter SL K's
69. LH bat SC K's/LH bat K's: 30/56 = 53.6% LH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
70.
RH bat FB K's/RH bat K's: 19/64 = 29.7% RH batter FB K's
71. RH bat SL K's/RH bat K's: 11/64 = 17.2% RH batter SL K's
72. RH bat SC K's/RH bat K's: 34/64 = 53.1% RH batter SC K's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From
this analysis, I pulled out several valuable findings:
1.
In 1971, I threw 32.9% fastballs.
1a. In 1972, I threw 30.0% fastballs.
1b. In 1973, I threw 38.6% fastballs.
2.
In 1971, I threw 67.0% fastball strikes.
2a. In 1972, I threw 64.4% fastball strikes.
2b. In 1973, I threw 68.1% fastball strikes.
3.
In 1971, I threw 37.6% sliders.
3a. In 1972, I threw 20.6% sliders.
3b. In 1973, I threw 21.7% sliders.
4.
In 1971, I threw 65.2% slider strikes.
4a. In 1972, I threw 69.7% slider strikes.
4b. In 1973, I threw 65.1% slider strikes.
5.
In 1971, I threw 29.5% screwballs.
5a. In 1972, I threw 49.4% screwballs.
5b. In 1973, I threw 39.7% screwballs.
6.
In 1971, I threw 53.8% screwball strikes.
6a. In 1972, I threw 62.9% screwball strikes.
6b. In 1973, I threw 58.6% screwball strikes.
7.
In 1971, extra base hits comprised 31.3% of all hits.
7a. In 1972, extra base hits comprised 17.1% of all hits.
7b. In 1973, extra base hits comprised 19.4% of all hits.
8.
In 1971, left-handed hitters batted .231.
8a. In 1972, left-handed hitters batted .171.
8b. In 1973, left-handed hitters batted .224.
9.
In 1971, right-handed hitters batted .259.
9a. In 1972, right-handed hitters batted .219.
9b. In 1973, right-handed hitters batted .248.
I
increased my fastball pitch selection percentage 8.6%. I increased
my slider pitch selection 1.1%. I decreased my screwball pitch
selection percentage 9.7%. Left-handed hitters increased their
batting average fifty-three points. Right-handed hitters increased
their batting average twenty-nine points. I struck out 25.6%
fewer struck out hitter with screwballs. While hitters significantly
increased their batting averages, because I kept my extra base
hit percentage low, I still succeeded.
d. My 1974
Major League Season
During
the 1973 off-season, the Montreal Expos traded me to the Los
Angeles Dodgers. During April 1974, I permitted too many inherited
baserunners to score. Fortunately, after Walter Alston and I
talked, he gave me more pitching room. As a result, we turned
1974 into another successful season.
Throughout
my 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season, I again carefully recorded
every pitch that I threw to every hitter. In 106 games, I pitched
208 innings, walked 56 hitters, gave up 191 hits, struck out
143 for a 2.42 earned run average. I included my 1974 National
League Championship Series and my 1974 World Series statistics.
From this game-by-game raw data, I compiled my 1974 report.
1974 Report
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General Information
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1.
Batters/innings: 900/219.2 = 4.10 batters per inning
2. Pitches/innings: 2971/219.2 = 13.52 pitches per inning
3. LH batters/batters: 406/900 = 45.1% LH batters
4. RH batters/batters: 494/900 = 54.9% RH batters
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General Pitch-Type Information
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5.
Fastballs/pitches: 1180/2971 = 39.7% fastballs
6. Sliders/pitches: 663/2971 = 22.3% sliders
7. Screwballs/pitches: 1128/2971 = 38.0% screwballs
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8.
Fastball strikes/fastballs: 856/1180 = 72.5% fastball strikes
9. LH bat FB strikes/LH bat FB: 337/479 = 70.4% LH batter FB
strikes
10. RH bat FB strikes/RH bat FB: 519/701 = 74.0% RH batter FB
strikes
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11.
Slider strikes/sliders: 465/663 = 70.1% slider strikes
12. LH bat SL strikes/LH bat SL: 237/336 = 70.5% LH batter SL
strikes
13. RH bat SL strikes/RH bat SL: 228/327 = 69.7% RH batter SL
strikes
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14.
Screwball strikes/screwball: 692/1128 = 61.3% screwball strikes
15. LH bat SC strikes/LH bat SC: 337/549 = 61.4% LH batter SC
strikes
16. RH bat SC strikes/RH bat SC: 355/579 = 61.3% RH batter SC
strikes
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Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Hit Result Information
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17.
Fastball singles/singles: 71/158 = 44.9% Fastball singles
18. Slider singles/singles: 39/158 = 24.7% Slider singles
19. Screwball singles/singles: 48/158 = 30.4% Screwball singles
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20.
LH bat FB singles/LH bat singles: 16/56 = 28.6% LH bat FB singles
21. LH bat SL singles/LH bat singles: 19/56 = 33.9% LH bat SL
singles
22. LH bat SC singles/LH bat singles: 21/56 = 37.5% LH bat SC
singles
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23.
RH bat FB singles/RH bat singles: 55/102 = 53.9% RH bat FB singles
24. RH bat SL singles/RH bat singles: 20/102 = 19.6% RH bat SL
singles
25. RH bat SC singles/RH bat singles: 27/102 = 26.5% RH bat SC
singles
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26.
Extra base hits/hits: 36/194 = 18.6% Extra base hits
27. LH bat EBH/LH bat hits: 22/78 = 28.2% LH bat EBH
28. RH bat EBH/RH bat hits: 14/116 = 12.1% RH bat EBH
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29.
Fastball extra base hits/EBH: 19/36 = 52.8% Fastball EBH
30. Slider extra base hits/EBH: 7/36 = 19.4% Slider EBH
31. Screwball extra base hits/hits: 10/36 = 27.8% Screwball EBH
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32.
LH bat FB EBH/LH bat EBH: 9/22 = 40.9% LH bat FB EBH
33. LH bat SL EBH/LH bat EBH: 7/22 = 31.8% LH bat SL EBH
34. LH bat SC EBH/LH bat EBH: 6/22 = 27.3% LH bat SC EBH
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35.
RH bat FB EBH/RH bat EBH: 10/14 = 71.4% RH bat FB EBH
36. RH bat SL EBH/RH bat EBH: 0/14 = 00.0% RH bat SL EBH
37. RH bat SC EBH/RH bat EBH: 4/14 = 28.6% RH bat SC EBH
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Left and Right-Handed Batter By Pitch-Type Non-Hit Result Information
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38.
Base on Balls/Batters: 56/900 = 06.2% Base on Balls
39. LH bat Base on Balls/LH bat: 31/406 = 07.6% LH bat Base on
Balls
40. RH bat Base on Balls/RH bat: 25/494 = 05.1% RH bat Base on
Balls
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41.
Int Base of Balls/Batters: 1/900 = 00.11% Int Base on Balls
42. LH bat IBB/LH bat: 1/406 = 00.25% LH bat IBB
43. RH bat IBB/RH bat: 0/494 = 00.00% RH bat IBB
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44.
Hit By Pitch/Batters: 1/900 = 00.11% Hit By Pitch
45. LH bat HBP/LH bat: 0/406 = 00.00% LH bat HBP
46. RH bat HBP/RH bat: 1/494 = 00.20% RH bat HBP
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47.
Sac Bunt/Batters: 20/900 = 02.2% Sac Bunts
48. LH bat Sac Bunt/LH bat: 6/406 = 01.5% LH bat Sac Bunts
49. RH bat Sac Bunt/RH bat: 14/494 = 02.8% RH bat Sac Bunts
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50.
Sac Fly/Batters: 6/900 = 00.67% Sac Flys
51. LH bat Sac Fly/LH bat: 3/406 = 00.74% LH bat Sac Flys
52. RH bat Sac Fly/RH bat: 3/494 = 00.61% RH bat Sac Flys
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Left and Right-Handed Batter Batting Averages
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53.
LH bat hits/LH official AB: 78/365 = .214 LH batting average
54. RH bat hits/RH official AB: 116/451 = .257 RH batting average
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Pitch-type Success Results
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55.
FB outs/outs: 276/643 = 42.9% fastball outs
56. SL outs/outs: 143/643 = 22.2% slider outs
57. SC outs/outs: 224/643 = 34.8% screwball outs
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58.
LH bat FB outs/LH bat outs: 116/293 = 39.6% LH batter FB outs
59. LH bat SL outs/LH bat outs: 60/293 = 20.5% LH batter SL outs
60. LH bat SC outs/LH bat outs: 117/293 = 39.9% LH batter SC
outs
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61.
RH bat FB outs/RH bat outs: 160/350 = 45.7% RH batter FB outs
62. RH bat SL outs/RH bat outs: 83/350 = 23.7% RH batter SL outs
63. RH bat SC outs/RH bat outs: 107/350 = 30.6% RH batter SC
outs
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64.
FB strikeouts/strikeouts: 70/159 = 44.0% FB strikeouts
65. SL strikeouts/strikeouts: 12/159 = 7.4% SL strikeouts
66. SC strikeouts/strikeouts: 77/159 = 48.4% SC strikeouts
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67.
LH bat FB K's/LH bat K's: 35/73 = 47.9% LH batter FB K's
68. LH bat SL K's/LH bat K's: 5/73 = 6.8% LH batter SL K's
69. LH bat SC K's/LH bat K's: 33/73 = 45.2% LH batter SC K's
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70.
RH bat FB K's/RH bat K's: 35/86 = 40.7% RH batter FB K's
71. RH bat SL K's/RH bat K's: 7/86 = 8.1% RH batter SL K's
72. RH bat SC K's/RH bat K's: 44/86 = 51.2% RH batter SC K's
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In
1970, I pitched about one-half a season of National League baseballs.
In 1971, I pitched my first full year of National League baseball.
I had modest success. After my 1971 season, I adjusted my screwball
force application technique. Therefore, in 1972, I knew the National
League hitters, but they did not know the new me. I surprised
them. I think that the results demonstrate that.
In
1973 and 1974, the National League hitters knew me and I knew
them. I did not surprise them and they did not surprise me. Therefore,
I submit that 1973 and 1974 represent a true reflection of my
ability.
When
viewed with the preceding insight, the following year-by-year
comparisons provide a study of the evolution of a major league
pitcher and the pitch sequence adjustments I had to make.
1.
In 1971, I threw 32.9% fastballs.
1a. In 1972, I threw 30.0% fastballs.
1b. In 1973, I threw 38.6% fastballs.
1c. In 1974, I threw 39.7% fastballs.
2.
In 1971, I threw 67.0% fastball strikes.
2a. In 1972, I threw 64.4% fastball strikes.
2b. In 1973, I threw 68.1% fastball strikes.
2c. In 1974, I threw 72.5% fastball strikes.
Every
major league hitter wants to hit fastballs. Therefore, in my
1972 breakout year, I threw only 30.0% fastballs. In 1974, I
threw almost 40% fastballs. In my 1972 breakout year, I threw
64.4% of my fastballs for strikes. In 1974, I threw 72.5% of
my fastballs for strikes. When you know that hitters are not
anticipating fastballs, it is easier to throw fastballs for strikes.
3.
In 1971, I threw 37.6% sliders.
3a. In 1972, I threw 20.6% sliders.
3b. In 1973, I threw 21.7% sliders.
3c. In 1974, I threw 22.3% sliders.
4.
In 1971, I threw 65.2% slider strikes.
4a. In 1972, I threw 69.7% slider strikes.
4b. In 1973, I threw 65.1% slider strikes.
4c. In 1974, I threw 70.1% slider strikes.
5.
In 1971, I threw 29.5% screwballs.
5a. In 1972, I threw 49.4% screwballs.
5b. In 1973, I threw 39.7% screwballs.
5c. In 1974, I threw 38.0% screwballs.
6.
In 1971, I threw 53.8% screwball strikes.
6a. In 1972, I threw 62.9% screwball strikes.
6b. In 1973, I threw 58.6% screwball strikes.
6c. In 1974, I threw 61.3% screwball strikes.
In
1971, I could not throw my screwballs for strikes frequently
enough to throw screwballs in non-fastball pitch counts (53.8%).
Therefore, I threw 37.6% sliders. In my 1972 breakout year, I
reduced my sliders to 20.6% because I could throw my screwballs
for strikes (62.9%). In 1973 and 1974, my slider percentage settled
at about 22% and my screwball percentage settled at about 39%.
Interestingly, in 1974, because hitters anticipated screwballs,
I increased my slider strike percentage to 70.1%. After 1971,
my screwball strike percentage settled at about 60%. I blame
the tightly-wound Haiti-sewn baseballs for the minor reduction
in my 1973 screwball strike percentage.
7.
In 1971, extra base hits comprised 31.3% of all hits.
7a. In 1972, extra base hits comprised 17.1% of all hits.
7b. In 1973, extra base hits comprised 19.4% of all hits.
7c. In 1974, extra base hits comprised 18.6% of all hits.
In
1971, 31.3% of the hits that I gave up were for extra bases.
Extra base hits permit baserunners to score from first base or
get to third base from which they can score on without hits.
In 1972, 1973 and 1974, only 18% of the hits that I gave up were
for extra bases. By keeping the extra base hit percentage low,
I reduced the runs I gave up and made hitters get more hits in
order to score runs.
8.
In 1971, left-handed hitters batted .231.
8a. In 1972, left-handed hitters batted .171.
8b. In 1973, left-handed hitters batted .224.
8c. In 1974, left-handed hitters batted .214.
9.
In 1971, right-handed hitters batted .259.
9a. In 1972, right-handed hitters batted .219.
9b. In 1973, right-handed hitters batted .248.
9c. In 1974, right-handed hitters batted .257.
In
1972, I surprised left and right-handed hitters and they batted
only .171 and .219, respectively against me. However, after they
knew about my new screwball efficiency, left and right-handed
hitters increased their batting averages over forty points each
with right-handed hitters batting about forty points higher than
left-handed hitters. Clearly, I needed to get right-handed batters
out easier.
I
needed to know more specific details about the four types of
hitters. I needed to know what pitches I threw in what sequence
to the four types of hitters that succeeded. However, I could
not continue to study this data by hand. I needed a faster method. |
