Back In The Day Before PAP
Here’s a little Yankees trivia question to try on your friends today –
Name the 5 Yankees starting pitchers, since 1989, to throw 145+ pitches in a single game.
Here’s the answer:
Pitcher, Date/Opp, Pitches Thrown
Al Leiter, April 14, 1989/MIN, 163
Scott Sanderson, June 4, 1992/DET, 156
David Cone, August 5, 2000/SEA, 147
Roger Clemens, May 20, 2001/@SEA, 145
Andy Hawkins, July 6, 1990/MIN, 145
Anyone who watches YES regularly would have guessed Leiter – as Michael Kay brings up that game, for Al, every time he’s in the booth with Leiter (or, at least, it seems like every time). Perhaps, someone might guess Cone and Clemens. But, I doubt that many would remember that Sanderson and Hawkins did it too.
That Andy Hawkins game was amazing. He started the game, went 11 and 2/3rds, and then blew the game when he allowed back-to-back two-out singles to plate two runs.
By the way, that game was the last time that a Yankees starting pitcher threw 11+ innings in a single contest.
What to really be impressed? Catfish Hunter went 11+ innings in a start for the Yankees – three times in 1976. Yes, three times in one season: May 9th, May 22nd, and August 27th.
There were no pitch counts available back in 1976. One can only imagine the damage the Hunter did to himself in those games.
That August 27th game for Catfish was special – he started, went 13 innings, and threw a shutout for all 13 frames. It was the last time that a Yankees starter went 13 innings in a game. I think that record is probably safe for a while.
And, for those who don’t know what “PAP” is, click here for more.
Update, 12:28 pm ET, 8/21/07: Click here for more perspective on that Catfish Hunter game of August 27th.
That Andy Hawkins game was amazing. He started the game, went 11 and 2/3rds, and then blew the game when he allowed back-to-back two-out singles to plate two runs.
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Not bad for someone who was about to be relased…
I am amazed, because 1990 really wasn’t all that long ago. Rarely will you see a pitcher go the distance in that type of game, and I don’t think we will ever see a 300 inning pitcher again.
Has anyone else noticed the difference in windups in pitchers over the years? Sanderson, from what I remember, was the classic over the top Palmer type pitcher. Nowadays, windups are more compact, more quicker.
I think that’s the first time I’ve heard a game called “that Andy Hawkins game” and not have it be about that infamous no-hitter.
Typical Torre, burning pitchers arms out……
Amazingly, the 11.2 IP start immediately followed the “no hitter” on July 1, 1990. Equally amazing is that the two starts, combined, lowered his season ERA from 6.49 to 5.24. He finished 1990 at 5.37.