‘Pitching to Contact’

With the focus on pitch count, we hear this more and more lately. “Ease up so they can hit it—but just don’t let them hit it too hard, and, most importantly, check the alignment of your fielders before every pitch, and then make sure they hit right it at someone.” Sounds slightly easier said than done, I must admit.

But, the record says that it has been done. Here are the modern 300-game winners, ranked in order of ‘Pitching to Contact.’

………………........…....Wins………K/9……..W/9……..(K&W)/9
Warren Spahn…..….363………..4.4……..2.5…………6.9
Greg Maddux….……355………..6.1……..1.8…………7.9
Early Wynn….….…..300………..4.6……..3.5…..…….8.1
Gaylord Perry……. .314………..5.9……..2.3………….8.2
Tom Glavine….…….305………..5.3……..3.1………….8.4
Don Sutton……..……324………..6.1……..2.3………….8.4
Phil Niekro………..…318………..5.6……..3.0………….8.6
Tom Seaver…………311………..6.9……..2.6………….9.5
Steve Carlton……….329………..7.1……..3.2…………10.3
Roger Clemens……..354………..8.6……..2.9………….11.5
Randy Johnson……..300……….10.6…….3.3………….13.9
Nolan Ryan………..…324………..9.5……..4.7………….14.2

So, clearly, Warren Spahn, who’s motto was, “Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing,” is not only the modern-day win king, but also well ahead of the illustrious pack in ‘pitching to contact.’ Nolan Ryan, who would rather walk three than give up a hit, is the clearcut King of, “Contact is for girly-men!” (Lord help hitters if old Nolan had been on steroids instead of mainlining Advil.)