https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... mi01.shtmlrockycola wrote: ↑Sun May 17, 2026 5:55 pmHah! I actually typed 25, reconsidered because the faint of heart here might go into shock when reading the incomprehensible. I reduced the number to 12.
Yep, RJ used to throw 130+ routinely, and at times hit 160. He pitched for what 20 years in the bigs?Hy Feiber wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 3:41 pmThe injured lists get greater all the time, even for position players, and I don’t remember from years ago, the nonstop injuries, with a 9 man pitching staff.
With a four man rotation, and starters routinely pitching complete games, with upwards of 150 pitches.
It further damages the quality of the game because much of the time fans are actually watching minor leaguers.
Like the Astros.
You would think that baseball officials would reconsider this obsession with pitch counts, as they have appeared to save nobody from injuries.
Yes, that is true to a point. They would do the 3-man rotation down the stretch, which was August and Sept.Sibelius Hindemith wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 3:01 amHow do you get 49 starts in one season? With a 4-man rotation you would get 41 at most. So as recently as the 1970s teams were going with 3-man rotations?
And we have a 6 man right now. Its working so well. lolBil522 wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 3:33 amYes, that is true to a point. They would do the 3-man rotation down the stretch, which was August and Sept.Sibelius Hindemith wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 3:01 amHow do you get 49 starts in one season? With a 4-man rotation you would get 41 at most. So as recently as the 1970s teams were going with 3-man rotations?
The Mariners routinely shut down college pitchers, like Anderson, after their college careers to let the arm heal up. One of the things I think allows for longevity is big thighs on pitchers. Look at Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Felix, Gaylord, etc. those guys make for great power pitchers who can eat innings. Thinner slight guys like Maddux, Glavine, Moyer, etc. don't throw as hard but rack up innings, relying on being "crafty." Then there are the whippy guys like Randy, Carlton, Halladay, etc. who can rush it to the plate but have a ton of movement on those balls. I think the whippy guys are taller and the longer stride helps them not get as many arm injuries.Sports Hernia wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 3:29 amYep, RJ used to throw 130+ routinely, and at times hit 160. He pitched for what 20 years in the bigs?Hy Feiber wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 3:41 pmThe injured lists get greater all the time, even for position players, and I don’t remember from years ago, the nonstop injuries, with a 9 man pitching staff.
With a four man rotation, and starters routinely pitching complete games, with upwards of 150 pitches.
It further damages the quality of the game because much of the time fans are actually watching minor leaguers.
Like the Astros.
You would think that baseball officials would reconsider this obsession with pitch counts, as they have appeared to save nobody from injuries.
I believe in pitch counts for LL, highschool, and college. The bigs? Nope.
Yes, Randy Johnson experienced notable arm and shoulder injuries throughout his career, though they mostly occurred in his later seasons after he had already established his legendary status. You can explore his complete medical and playing history on Baseball Reference.He dealt with the following notable arm and shoulder issues:
Torn Rotator Cuff (2009): While pitching for the San Francisco Giants at age 45, Johnson suffered a partially torn rotator cuff. The most unusual part of this injury is that it didn’t happen while throwing; he strained it taking a wild swing at the plate against the Houston Astros. This was his first major arm injury and ultimately shortened his final season.
General Shoulder Soreness (1995): Johnson had a brief stint on the disabled list with the Seattle Mariners for a "persistent achy" left shoulder. Prior to that, he had remarkably never had any arm issues.
Avoided Elbow Surgeries: Despite throwing a 100 mph fastball and a devastating slider for over two decades, Johnson miraculously avoided major elbow ligament damage, meaning he never required Tommy John surgery.
