A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter. Relief pitchers are further divided informally into closers, set-up relief pitchers, middle relief pitchers, left-handed specialists, and long relievers.
Contents |
In the early days of Major League Baseball (MLB), substituting a player was not allowed except for sickness or injury. An ineffective pitcher would switch positions with another player on the field. The first relief appearance in the major leagues was in 1876 with Boston Red Caps outfielder Jack Manning switching positions with pitcher Joe Borden.[1] In 1889, the first bullpen appearance occurred after rules were changed to allow a player substitution at any time.[2] Early relief pitchers were normally starting pitchers pitching in between starts.[3] Firpo Marberry is credited with being the first prominent reliever. From 1923 to 1935, he pitched in 551 games, 364 as a reliever.[4] Another reliever, Johnny Murphy, became known as "Fireman" for his ability to put out fires in relief.[5] Gradually after World War II, full-time relievers became more acceptable and standard.[6] The relievers were usually pitchers that were not good enough to be starters.[7] Relievers in the 1950s started to develop oddball pitches to distinguish them from starters. For example, Hoyt Wilhelm threw a knuckleball, and Elroy Face threw a forkball.[8]
The reliance in MLB on relief pitchers has increased significantly since the 1960s. In 1969, the pitcher's mound was lowered and umpires were encouraged to call fewer strikes to give batters an advantage. Relief specialists were used to counter the increase in offense.[9] The 1980's were the first time in MLB that the number of saves outnumbered complete games. There was nearly four saves for every complete game in 1995.[10] This change in mindset can be seen by watching any major game, as well as seeing the salaries of such pitchers. In past decades, the relief pitcher was merely an ex-starter who came into a game upon the injury, ineffectiveness, or fatigue of the starting pitcher. The bullpen was for old starters who had lost the ability to throw effectively. Many of these pitchers would be able to flourish in this diminished role. Those such as Dennis Eckersley, as with many others, actually prolonged their tapering careers and often sparked them to new life. The added rest to their arms as well as the lessened exposure of their abilities became an advantage many would learn to capitalize on. Because these pitchers only faced some batters once a season, the opposing side would have greater difficulty preparing to face relief pitchers.
Recently, being a relief pitcher has become more of a career, rather than a reduced position. Many of today's top prospects are considered mainly for their relief pitching skills. The game today often calls for those in the bullpen to step up and become occasional starters. Their limited face-time against each batter can give these pitchers a competitive edge. In addition, the ability to call upon relief pitchers to start when necessary helps regular starting pitchers to have longer, healthier careers. For example, the lengthy careers of such pitchers as Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were likely extended by the assistance of relief pitchers. Furthermore, many players who started as relief pitchers have gone on to prosper as starting pitchers. One example of this is Pedro Martínez.
Another reason for the advancement of the skill in relief positions is due to growing interest in gaining a psychological edge. In late innings such as the 7th, 8th, and 9th, many managers are known for changing pitchers often. For example, Tony La Russa and Tom Lasorda are particularly known for using this strategy. Thus, this gives a competitive edge against a batter who can't hit well off the movement of a left-hander's curveball, and they may often face a left-hander in a late inning situation.
As of October 2010, five pitchers are currently in the Baseball Hall of Fame chiefly for their accomplishments as relief pitchers: Goose Gossage, Hoyt Wilhelm, Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter, and Dennis Eckersley (although Eckersley and Wilhelm also had significant careers as starting pitchers.)
A team's relief staff usually consists of a closer who usually pitches the ninth inning, a setup pitcher who pitches the eighth, a middle reliever who can pitch the seventh or eighth, a left-handed specialists who pitches to left-handed batters, another middle reliever who can pitch the sixth, and a long reliever who can come in if the starter leaves the game early. There may be an additional one or two pitchers on the staff that fill multiple roles.[11]
The closer is usually the best relief pitcher, followed by the setup man.[12] Players typically get promoted into later-inning roles as they succeed.[13] Relievers were previously more multipurpose before becoming one-inning specialists.[14]
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||