Complete Game Shutouts Are Rare Nowadays

Complete game shutouts are becoming more rare, every year, in Major League Baseball. Last year, pitchers threw 59 complete game shutout, compared to 226 back in 1975. Former Houston Astros player and manager Larry Dierker, who is now a columnist for mlb.com, gives a few reasons why, below. 

Roy Halladay, of the Philadelphia Phillies, was the MLB leader, with four shutouts, in 2010.

Occasionally, when I make a speech, the person who introduces me states that I pitched 20 complete games in 1969. That makes a strong impression among young baseball fans.

By today's standards, it's an amazing stat. But in 1969, five National League pitchers pitched more than 20 complete games. I pitched 305 innings that year, but five pitchers in the NL pitched more innings than I did.

The point is that the game has evolved, and even young fans know that relievers are a much bigger part of the picture now. Still, the thing that amazes me is the bland acceptance of starting pitchers when they are removed from a close game they could finish.

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