The Timeless Value of Reliability in Major League Baseball

In every profession, consistently delivering quality work year after year isn’t just commendable—it’s invaluable. This notion of reliability holds immense value across all industries, and nowhere is it more vividly illustrated than in the careers of a select group of Major League Baseball (MLB) starting pitchers. These athletes have exemplified what it means to be steadfast by starting at least 25 games in each of 10 consecutive seasons—a monumental feat in sports.

A typical MLB season unfolds over 162 games. Within a standard five-man rotation, each starter is expected to take the mound around 32 times. Therefore, starting 25 games annually for a decade implies performing at a professional level nearly 80% of the time. This achievement goes beyond merely "earning one’s paycheck"; it makes a pitcher invaluable to their team.

Consider the legendary Cy Young, the holder of the MLB record with 815 starts, who averaged an astonishing 40 starts per season over 19 years. Since Young's time, the expectations and roles of starting pitchers have evolved drastically.

Today, the criteria for starting pitchers are continuously changing. Increased instances of arm injuries, a heightened focus on pitch metrics like velocity and spin rate, and intentionally reduced workloads have all impacted their ability to meet annual playing expectations. Consequently, starting rotations often resemble a revolving door, with few players maintaining a constant presence.

However, the group of 25 pitchers featured in our graphic didn’t reach their milestones by obsessing over each pitch’s metrics. Their success wasn’t measured by velocity or spin rate but by a simpler, more fundamental goal: consistently and reliably getting outs over a long period.

This current overemphasis on detailed pitch metrics for profiling and advancing pitchers has profoundly affected training methods and objectives among today's athletes. There's a significant shift to be made when pitchers prioritize longevity and effectiveness in securing outs over micro-analyzing performance metrics.

For a resurgence of dependable starting pitching, MLB and team organizations must promote and incentivize a broader, results-focused approach. We need more pitchers akin to Mark Buehrle in today's game. Known not for dominating with his pitch metrics but for his remarkable consistency and reliability, Buehrle averaged over 30 starts per season for 15 consecutive years, delivering quality performances with a modest fastball—defying today’s stringent standards on velocity.

In today's metrics-driven selection environment, a pitcher like Buehrle might find it challenging to secure opportunities. This situation highlights a critical gap between past and present valuations of pitcher contributions, underscoring the need for a reassessment of how we define and reward pitching excellence in MLB.