For two days, every story I've read, every broadcast I've listened to, has droned on and on about Sabathia starting on 3 days rest. You'd think this had never happened before. Maybe I'm just showing my age, but I remember when three days was the norm, not something that automatically got you nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. To wit:
Starting in 1961, Whitey Ford started with three days rest for 5 straight years. In that time span, his average season was 20-8. He also had 52 complete games. Did this kill him? Couldn't have been too bad; he won 236 games over his career.
Starting in 1978, Ron Guidry did it for three years, averaging a 20-7 record, with a total of 36 complete games.
In 1963, Bob Gibson was a workhorse. For 4 years, he averaged a 19-11 record and threw 71 complete games. He won 251 games.
Finally, for 5 years starting in 1987, Roger Clemens averaged a 19-10 record and threw 43 complete games. And this was before any steroid controversy.
All of these fellows started every 4th day with all kinds of success. These weren't the only pitchers who did this. They all did. I just picked 4 names everyone would recognise.
So let's let this misplaced accolade die a quiet death, please.
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