1981: When SP Ruled The Earth In October
Posted by Steve Lombardi on October 17, 2009
In Game 1 of the 2009 ALCS, CC Sabathia went 8 innings and allowed just one run in the game. How many times, in a given post-season, do we see a starting pitcher go 8+ innings and allow just one run or less? Thanks to Baseball-Reference.com's Play Index Post-Season Pitching Game Finder, we can find the answer. Here's the list, with 2009 being through October 16th:
Year Games Link to Individual Games +----+-----+-------------------------+ 1981 17 Ind. Games 2001 11 Ind. Games 1972 9 Ind. Games 1997 8 Ind. Games 1995 8 Ind. Games 1986 8 Ind. Games 1921 8 Ind. Games 1920 8 Ind. Games 2003 7 Ind. Games 1998 7 Ind. Games 1991 7 Ind. Games 1983 7 Ind. Games 1973 7 Ind. Games 1919 7 Ind. Games 1907 7 Ind. Games 1905 7 Ind. Games 1992 6 Ind. Games 1985 6 Ind. Games 1971 6 Ind. Games 1918 6 Ind. Games 1912 6 Ind. Games 1911 6 Ind. Games 1906 6 Ind. Games 2006 5 Ind. Games 2000 5 Ind. Games 1996 5 Ind. Games 1990 5 Ind. Games 1974 5 Ind. Games 1969 5 Ind. Games 1968 5 Ind. Games 1965 5 Ind. Games 1948 5 Ind. Games 1946 5 Ind. Games 1930 5 Ind. Games 1915 5 Ind. Games 1909 5 Ind. Games 1993 4 Ind. Games 1977 4 Ind. Games 1967 4 Ind. Games 1966 4 Ind. Games 1956 4 Ind. Games 1950 4 Ind. Games 1949 4 Ind. Games 1945 4 Ind. Games 1944 4 Ind. Games 1934 4 Ind. Games 1933 4 Ind. Games 1931 4 Ind. Games 1914 4 Ind. Games 1908 4 Ind. Games 2009 3 Ind. Games 2007 3 Ind. Games 1988 3 Ind. Games 1987 3 Ind. Games 1984 3 Ind. Games 1982 3 Ind. Games 1978 3 Ind. Games 1964 3 Ind. Games 1963 3 Ind. Games 1957 3 Ind. Games 1951 3 Ind. Games 1943 3 Ind. Games 1941 3 Ind. Games 1940 3 Ind. Games 1937 3 Ind. Games 1929 3 Ind. Games 1926 3 Ind. Games 1923 3 Ind. Games 1917 3 Ind. Games 1916 3 Ind. Games 1913 3 Ind. Games 1903 3 Ind. Games 2004 2 Ind. Games 1999 2 Ind. Games 1989 2 Ind. Games 1979 2 Ind. Games 1976 2 Ind. Games 1975 2 Ind. Games 1970 2 Ind. Games 1962 2 Ind. Games 1960 2 Ind. Games 1958 2 Ind. Games 1955 2 Ind. Games 1952 2 Ind. Games 1942 2 Ind. Games 1939 2 Ind. Games 1938 2 Ind. Games 1936 2 Ind. Games 1935 2 Ind. Games 1927 2 Ind. Games 1925 2 Ind. Games 2008 1 Ind. Games 2005 1 Ind. Games 2002 1 Ind. Games 1980 1 Ind. Games 1961 1 Ind. Games 1954 1 Ind. Games 1947 1 Ind. Games 1932 1 Ind. Games 1928 1 Ind. Games 1924 1 Ind. Games 1922 1 Ind. Games 1910 1 Ind. Games
Wow, what happened in 1981? Yes, they had an extra round of play-offs that season. But, it was no different than what we've seen in baseball since 1995. And, of course, before 1969, pitchers only had the World Series to work in during the post-season. So, you have to take that into consideration when looking at these numbers. And, thus, you have to give the post-seasons of 1920 and 1921 some props.
Nonetheless, is it safe to say that 1981 was the post-season where starting pitchers ruled the earth? Maybe, just maybe...no?
October 17th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Yes 1981 having an extra round of playoffs is nothing different than since 1995. However, pitchers in 1981 were more likely to go longer innings than since 1995. Also league ERA's have been much higher in the last 15 years compared to 1981.
October 17th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
not to mention that in theory they all had 2 months of rest DURING the season! I try to block out
81 and 94 from baseball memories. To a smaller degree 72 and 95 as well. Though as a Braves fan, obviously 95 is kinda important.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:09 am
The 1905 World Series went only 5 games, which means the "7" it gets above is 7 out of a possible 10. What's the corresponding figure for 1981?
October 18th, 2009 at 9:38 am
The list above is for 1 ER or less.
Out of curiosity I checked on Gerry's question using runs allowed(with which I thought we were dealing). 1905 did indeed have the high in terms of percentage with 6 out of the 10 post-season starts meeting the required criteria.
The top 5:
1905 10 6 0.6
1920 14 8 0.571
1914 8 4 0.5
1918 12 6 0.5
1966 8 4 0.5
Since divisional play started in 1995, 2001 was by far the best with 11 out of 70 starts (15.7%) qualifying.
Three post-seasons didn't have any qualifying starts: 1932 which had 8 total starts and 1952 and 1959, which had 12 each.
1981 had 15 of 64 qualify. This is 23.4% and good for #32 overall.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Thanks, Raphy.