Fewest BB / PA, since 1947, min 150 PA (July 10, 2003)
playerID year IP BB PA BB per 1000 PA
brownha01 1963 141 8 569 14
eckerde01 1989 58 3 208 14
eckerde01 1990 73 4 265 15
fischbi01 1962 128 8 541 15
morgato01 1958 63 4 262 15
heredgi01 1998 43 3 174 17
saberbr01 1994 177 13 714 18
liebejo01 2002 141 12 588 20
quiseda01 1983 139 11 546 20
tewksbo01 1992 233 20 936 21
Fewest BB/PA, since 1901, min 700 PA
playerID yearID IP BB PA BB per 1000 PA
adamsba01 1920 263 18 1047 17
mathech01 1913 306 21 1230 17
saberbr01 1994 177 13 714 18
mathech01 1914 312 23 1273 18
lucasre01 1933 220 18 925 19
youngcy01 1904 380 29 1496 19
adamsba01 1922 171 15 720 21
tewksbo01 1992 233 20 936 21
youngcy01 1906 288 25 1176 21
sallesl01 1919 228 20 924 22
PA = IP x 3 + BB + H
And what is Well's pace? 6 walks with 525 batters, or a rate of 11 walks per 1000 batters, and setting the modern-day record. While I only list the leaders with at least 700 PA, Wells is the leader with any pitcher with at least 150 PA.
--posted by TangoTiger at 01:36 PM EDT
Posted 4:31 p.m.,
July 10, 2003
(#1) -
Anonymous
.
Posted 5:42 p.m.,
July 10, 2003
(#2) -
FJM
I agree. He is well on his way to setting a record for control that may never be broken. And what makes it all the more amazing is, his sixteen year history doesn't give the slightest indication he is capable of anything like this. Coming into this year he was averaging an uninspiring 53 BB's per 1000 PA. Even in his best year, 2000, he could only get it down to 31.4 per 1000. How does a 40 year old pitcher suddenly cut his walk rate by 79% (relative to his career average) or 64% (relative to his previous best)? I have no idea, but apparently the Questec system doesn't bother him.
Here's another amazing bit of information to keep an eye on. He has 7 HBP's to go with his 6 BB's! Has anybody ever hit more batters than they walked over an entire season? Coming into this season he had walked nearly 10 batters for every one he hit (604/61).
Posted 6:45 p.m.,
July 10, 2003
(#3) -
David Smyth
I have no idea how much of this is conscious strategising by Wells, but if he as a 40 yr old pitcher without good stuff decided to simply throw the ball over the plate and see what happens, then he is a "genius". Most pitchers are unwilling to concede what should be conceded. Wells seems like he has a big ego in life, but as a ballplayer he seems like an analytical trailblazer....
Posted 2:39 p.m.,
September 29, 2003
(#4) -
tangotiger
Wells ended up the season with 20 walks, in 213 IP, while facing 887 batters.
After his incredible start, Wells ends up with 23 walks per 1000 batters. Still great, but not the record.