Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — When Gavin Stone walked off the mound on Tuesday night after having completed his first complete game, he accomplished a feat that is increasingly rare. In fact, the team hasn’t had a complete game from a starter since Walker Buehler nearly two years ago. Gone are the days of guys like Brickyard Kennedy (love that name), who pitched a franchise record 279 complete games during the course of his career in the 1890s and early twentieth century. Let’s take a look back at the history of this increasingly rare occurence and look back at some of the highlights in the days of the Dodgers.
Early Years and the Golden Era
The Dodgers, originally based in Brooklyn before relocating to Los Angeles in 1958, have always been known for their strong pitching. In the early years, complete games were a common occurrence. Pitchers like Dazzy Vance, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1920s and 1930s, regularly completed games. Vance led the league in complete games multiple times, showcasing his endurance and dominance on the mound.
The trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s with pitchers like Don Newcombe, Sandy Koufax, and Don Drysdale. Koufax, in particular, epitomized the complete game pitcher. During his peak years from 1962 to 1966, Koufax completed 100 games (127 total), including four no-hitters and a perfect game. His 27 complete games in 1965 are a testament to his stamina and skill.
The Evolution of Pitching Strategy
However, as baseball evolved, so did pitching strategies. The 1970s and 1980s saw a gradual decline in the number of complete games. While pitchers like Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser still managed impressive totals—Valenzuela had 20 complete games in his Rookie of the Year and Cy Young-winning 1981 season—the emphasis began to shift towards bullpen specialization.
This shift was driven by several factors. Advances in sports medicine and a better understanding of the toll pitching takes on the arm led teams to adopt more conservative approaches to protect their valuable arms. The rise of the closer, epitomized by pitchers like Dennis Eckersley and later Mariano Rivera, further entrenched the idea that games should be finished by specialized relief pitchers rather than the starters.
Modern Era and the Decline of the Complete Game
In the modern era, complete games have become a rarity. Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, has thrown only 25 complete games in his career as of the end of the 2023 season. This is not a reflection of Kershaw’s ability but rather a sign of the times.
Several factors contribute to the scarcity of complete games today. First and foremost is the pitch count philosophy. Modern managers and pitching coaches closely monitor the number of pitches thrown to avoid overuse injuries. Pitchers are often limited to around 100 pitches per game, making it less likely they will go the distance.
Another reason is the increased focus on matchups and analytics. Managers are more likely to pull a starter in favor of a reliever who has a favorable matchup against the upcoming hitters. This strategy, supported by extensive data analysis, is designed to maximize the team’s chances of winning.
Additionally, the depth and specialization of modern bullpens mean that teams have multiple high-quality relievers capable of handling late-inning situations. The days of relying on one or two bullpen arms are over; now, teams often have several pitchers with specific roles, from setup men to lefty specialists and closers.
Conclusion
The complete game, once a hallmark of pitching prowess, has become a rare feat in today’s baseball landscape. While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ history is rich with legendary pitchers who regularly completed games, modern strategies focused on pitch counts, matchups, and bullpen specialization have significantly reduced their frequency. As baseball continues to evolve, the complete game stands as a nostalgic reminder of an era when pitchers were expected to finish what they started. Despite its rarity, when a complete game does occur, it is celebrated as a remarkable achievement, a nod to the enduring legacy of pitchers like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.
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