Many measure success historically against milestones. Last Thursday, Randy Johnson joined the 300 win plateau, considered the most praised milestone among hurlers, by pitching a six inning, two-hit gem. Thursday’s decision not only gave Johnson a pass into one of the most elite clubs in all of sports, but punched his ticket to Cooperstown, if he had not already done so. The elite club includes only 24 players, with recent entries including Roger Clemens (2003), Greg Maddux (2004), and Tom Glavine (2007). These entries are the first since 1990, when Nolan Ryan joined, demonstrating the rarity of this feat. However, it’s a feat that’s about to get a whole lot rarer, if not impossible. 
The first member of the club was Pud Galvin, who won number 300 in the year 1888. At the time, Benjamin Harrison had just been named the 23rd President of these United States, and people were fearful that, in a decade or so, the streets would be piled feet high with horse…you get the idea. Roughly 120 years later, we have seen 21 more presidents fill the oval office, and are currently trying to fix the pollution disaster that Henry Ford’s horse is creating.
Many changes have taken place in the American pastime as well over these years. At the time of Galvin, pitchers took up only a few spots on the roster. Now, some teams carry as many as 11 or 12 pitchers. In turn, pitchers do not pitch as many innings, giving them less opportunity to earn a decision. Innings pitched has also decreased due to a five-man rotation (starters only manage to take the mound 34 times a year) and the evolution of pitch counts, which limits a starting pitcher’s opportunity to go late into ball games. These changes in the game, changes that are definitely here for the long haul, have limited pitchers chances at reaching the 300 milestone.
Currently the closest suitors are Jamie Moyer (250) and Andy Pettitte (220), however both of them will see their careers end short of this mark. The closest pitcher under the age of 35, is ex-A’s ace and current Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson (146). However, his health will prevent him from coming close. Some have thrown out the name C.C. Sabathia. The new pinstripe ace currently has 122 wins in his pocket at the age of 28. Even with this good jump on the club, Sabathia would have to average 18 wins if he were to pitch ten more years, and 15 wins if he were to pitch until he was 40. No small feat to average 15-18 wins in your 30’s (Greg Maddux is an exception). In essence, a pitcher must average 15 wins over 20 years or 20 wins over 15 years, take your pick. So is the door locked to the club that is the 300 win club? Not necessarily, but the door is extremely hard to open.
This all makes Johnson’s feat last Thursday all the more impressive; especially, since he spent the first half of his career with mediocre Expo and Mariner clubs. Johnson will likely go into Cooperstown, not just on his wins alone, but also on his 4800+ strikeouts and career sub 3.50 earned run average. Not to mention going in as the most physically dominating pitcher perhaps of all-time.
All in all, the 300 win club should start to make its way towards DiMaggio’s streak as one of the hardest things to accomplish in baseball. Oh, and yes Cy Young (511), I think your feat is pretty safe too.
If you would like to talk about sports some more, feel free to contact me at Michael.bobich@villanova.edu
The first member of the club was Pud Galvin, who won number 300 in the year 1888. At the time, Benjamin Harrison had just been named the 23rd President of these United States, and people were fearful that, in a decade or so, the streets would be piled feet high with horse…you get the idea. Roughly 120 years later, we have seen 21 more presidents fill the oval office, and are currently trying to fix the pollution disaster that Henry Ford’s horse is creating.
Many changes have taken place in the American pastime as well over these years. At the time of Galvin, pitchers took up only a few spots on the roster. Now, some teams carry as many as 11 or 12 pitchers. In turn, pitchers do not pitch as many innings, giving them less opportunity to earn a decision. Innings pitched has also decreased due to a five-man rotation (starters only manage to take the mound 34 times a year) and the evolution of pitch counts, which limits a starting pitcher’s opportunity to go late into ball games. These changes in the game, changes that are definitely here for the long haul, have limited pitchers chances at reaching the 300 milestone.
Currently the closest suitors are Jamie Moyer (250) and Andy Pettitte (220), however both of them will see their careers end short of this mark. The closest pitcher under the age of 35, is ex-A’s ace and current Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson (146). However, his health will prevent him from coming close. Some have thrown out the name C.C. Sabathia. The new pinstripe ace currently has 122 wins in his pocket at the age of 28. Even with this good jump on the club, Sabathia would have to average 18 wins if he were to pitch ten more years, and 15 wins if he were to pitch until he was 40. No small feat to average 15-18 wins in your 30’s (Greg Maddux is an exception). In essence, a pitcher must average 15 wins over 20 years or 20 wins over 15 years, take your pick. So is the door locked to the club that is the 300 win club? Not necessarily, but the door is extremely hard to open.
This all makes Johnson’s feat last Thursday all the more impressive; especially, since he spent the first half of his career with mediocre Expo and Mariner clubs. Johnson will likely go into Cooperstown, not just on his wins alone, but also on his 4800+ strikeouts and career sub 3.50 earned run average. Not to mention going in as the most physically dominating pitcher perhaps of all-time.
All in all, the 300 win club should start to make its way towards DiMaggio’s streak as one of the hardest things to accomplish in baseball. Oh, and yes Cy Young (511), I think your feat is pretty safe too.
If you would like to talk about sports some more, feel free to contact me at Michael.bobich@villanova.edu
they just dont make pitchers like they used to
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