PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – You might think a former Major League manager in his 70s would be against 7-inning double-headers. He’s not. You might think he would say Madison Bumgarner’s 7-inning no-hitter should not count. He thinks it should. It’s a legit no-hitter.
However, former Pirates manager Jim Leyland tells ‘The Cook and Joe Show’ on 93.7 The Fan, today’s professional pitchers are too coddled and it’s contributing to the number of injuries.
“I’m not a believer, like they are today, with the pitch count stuff,” Leyland told the Fan on Monday. “It’s ridiculous. Sometimes in the minor leagues, you can throw 75 pitches, but if you throw 76 you are going to get hurt.”
“There is never anything that’s been documented with that. I think it’s all nonsense.”
That’s where the feel of the game really comes into play for Leyland. That’s where the human element plays a huge factor along with knowledge of your players.
“I think you use common sense,” Leyland said. “How tough have the innings been? There are some games when you pitch, you throw 75 pitches and a lot are strenuous. Other games you throw 75 pitches but they weren’t that strenuous.”
Then Leyland really gave his opinion.
“I think pitchers are made to pitch,” Leyland said. “I think we do baby them. That’s your best bullpen is a 7-inning starter. I think it’s ridiculous in today’s game when they pitch five innings and throw close to 100 pitches. They leave the game losing 4-2 or 3-2 and everybody says he gave his team a chance to win. That’s a terrible performance in my opinion.”
“You’re talking about seven innings. It’s a little bit different. You pitch five innings with 100 pitches, that’s ridiculous to say that someone did a great job. I don’t think that’s a great job at all. I think starting pitchers need to get deeper in games.”
“I’m all about starting pitching and I know for a fact that’s your best bullpen. I think we are a little cautious.”
“We have more stuff (information), more exercise, more training, off-season, during season, than ever in our game. And we have more people hurt than ever in our game.”
There are probably a series of medical explanations, but maybe Leyland is right. All we need is a little more common sense.