Are the ABL reliever usage limits realistic? One way to try to answer this is to ask the question: “What percentage of 2008 MLB relief appearances would have violated the 2009 ABL rules?” If the answer is “0%,” then I’d say the ABL rules are too lenient in allowing relievers to pitch a lot. At the other extreme, if the answer is “50%,” then I’d say the ABL rules are too strict and don’t allow pitchers to pitch enough. What’s the right percentage that would make you feel that the ABL rules are just about right? 1%? 5%? 10%? More?
Here are the current ABL rules for reference:
Short IP REST 0-2 0** 2.1-3 1 3.1-4 2 4.1-over 3 Closer IP REST 0-1 0*** 1.1-2 1 2.1-3 2 3.1-over 3 ** Cannot pitch more than 2 consecutive games *** Cannot pitch more than 3 consecutive games Note: Short cannot pitch more than 4 IP’s unless no other pitchers are available. Note: Closer cannot pitch more than 3 IP’s unless no other pitchers are available.
For the analysis I used the Retrosheet event files for 2008. I ran the BOX program on all the files to get a big, honkin’ file with all the box scores from the regular season. That’s my quick way of counting up the innings pitched with minimal work on my part.
I considered consecutive calendar dates, so if a team didn’t play on a Monday, that counted as a day of rest. Doubleheaders presented a bit of a problem, since those don’t happen in the ABL. There were 21 occasions in the 2008 MLB season when a pitcher pitched both games of a doubleheader. (See list below.) For the analysis I added the innings pitched during both games and used that–essentially treating it like a single game.
Acosta M (Atlanta) pitched two games on 2008-05-20 Ayala L (Washington) pitched two games on 2008-06-05 Boyer B (Atlanta) pitched two games on 2008-05-20 Burres B (Baltimore) pitched two games on 2008-09-13 Carlson J (Toronto) pitched two games on 2008-09-13 Cotts N (Chicago) pitched two games on 2008-08-13 Feliciano P (New York) pitched two games on 2008-06-15 Feliciano P (New York) pitched two games on 2008-09-07 Flores R (St. Louis) pitched two games on 2008-06-05 Franklin R (St. Louis) pitched two games on 2008-06-05 Gregg K (Florida) pitched two games on 2008-05-25 Hanrahan J (Washington) pitched two games on 2008-08-07 Heilman A (New York) pitched two games on 2008-05-10 Lopez J (Boston) pitched two games on 2008-05-17 Ramirez R (Kansas City) pitched two games on 2008-09-04 Ridgway J (Atlanta) pitched two games on 2008-09-13 Sosa J (New York) pitched two games on 2008-05-10 Thornton M (Chicago) pitched two games on 2008-09-14 Villone R (St. Louis) pitched two games on 2008-06-05 Wilson C (Texas) pitched two games on 2008-04-10 Wise M (New York) pitched two games on 2008-05-20
I ignored Longs. Closers were identified, then everyone else was assumed to be a Short. Not perfect, but it’ll do.
Let’s look at Closers first. Closers (as defined by TPB) made 1,598 appearances during the regular season. That accounts for 66% of the 2,430 games, which sounds about right. Of those 1,598 appearances, only 35 would have violated the ABL usage rules. That’s 2.2%. All the violations are listed below. Here’s how to read the first line: The violation occurred because Capps, pitching for Pittsburgh on June 11, pitched 1 inning (first number) after having pitched 1 inning in each of the previous three games (three numbers in parentheses). The asterisk means that it’s a “four-in-a-row” violation. In the second line, no asterisk means that the violation was because he went over 1 inning on the previous day (first number in parentheses: 1.1), then pitched an inning on May 13. Notice that most of the violations were because the previous day’s appearance was just a bit over the one-inning limit.
CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Capps M Pittsburgh 2008-06-11 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , 1) Cordero F Cincinnati 2008-05-13 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Cordero F Cincinnati 2008-07-06 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.2, , 1) Gregg K Florida 2008-05-21 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , 1) Gregg K Florida 2008-06-11 CL VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1,0.2) Gregg K Florida 2008-07-12 CL VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.1, 1) Hoffman T San Diego 2008-07-28 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Jenks B Chicago 2008-05-17 CL VIOLATION 1 ( 2, , ) Jenks B Chicago 2008-08-25 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Lidge B Philadelphia 2008-05-04 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, 1, ) Nathan J Minnesota 2008-08-13 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , 1) Papelbon J Boston 2008-05-05 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.2, , ) Papelbon J Boston 2008-07-22 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1,0.2, ) Papelbon J Boston 2008-09-09 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , ) Rivera M New York 2008-04-15 CL VIOLATION 1 ( 2, , 1) Rivera M New York 2008-05-28 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Rivera M New York 2008-06-10 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , ) Rivera M New York 2008-08-23 CL VIOLATION 1.2 (1.1, , ) Rivera M New York 2008-08-29 CL VIOLATION 1.1 ( , 3, ) Rodney F Detroit 2008-08-07 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , ) Rodney F Detroit 2008-09-26 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.2, , ) Sherrill G Baltimore 2008-05-14 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.2, , ) Sherrill G Baltimore 2008-08-05 CL VIOLATION 1 ( 2, , ) Soria J Kansas City 2008-07-08 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Soria J Kansas City 2008-07-30 CL VIOLATION 0.1 ( 2, ,0.2) Torres S Milwaukee 2008-05-14 CL VIOLATION 0.2 ( 2, , ) Torres S Milwaukee 2008-05-18 CL VIOLATION 1 (2.1, , 1) Torres S Milwaukee 2008-06-15 CL VIOLATION 0.1 (1.1, , ) Torres S Milwaukee 2008-06-19 CL VIOLATION 1 ( 2,0.1, 1) Torres S Milwaukee 2008-07-22 CL VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, 1) Valverde J Houston 2008-09-02 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Wagner B New York 2008-04-19 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , ) Wilson B San Francisco 2008-07-13 CL VIOLATION 1 (1.1, , ) Wilson C Texas 2008-06-03 CL VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Wood K Chicago 2008-08-28
Now let’s look at the Shorts. Of the 12,537 appearances during the 2008 MLB regular season, 3.1% of them (384) would have been ABL violations. It’s a long list that follows. Notice that most have an asterisk, meaning that the violation is due to the Short pitching on three consecutive days. Some are clearly set-up guys (like Marmol), some are LOOGies (like Villone), but many are tougher to classify.
SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Acosta M Atlanta 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.1, ) Acosta M Atlanta 2008-05-08 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.1,1.1, ) Acosta M Atlanta 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Adams M San Diego 2008-08-17 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Affeldt J Cincinnati 2008-04-23 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Affeldt J Cincinnati 2008-05-12 SH VIOLATION * 2 ( 1, 1, ) Affeldt J Cincinnati 2008-08-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.1,0.1, ) Arias A Colorado 2008-05-15 SH VIOLATION 0.1 (2.1, , ) Arredondo J Anaheim 2008-06-02 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,2.1, ) Arredondo J Anaheim 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.2,0.2, ) Ayala L New York 2008-09-24 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Ayala L Washington 2008-05-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,1.1, ) Ayala L Washington 2008-05-15 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 0, 1, ) Ayala L Washington 2008-08-11 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Balfour G Tampa Bay 2008-08-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Balfour G Tampa Bay 2008-08-24 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 (0.1, 2, ) Bass B Minnesota 2008-06-01 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Batista M Seattle 2008-08-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2, 2, ) Bautista D Pittsburgh 2008-08-26 SH VIOLATION 1 (2.1, , 2) Beam T Pittsburgh 2008-07-09 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Beimel J Los Angeles 2008-04-07 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1,0.2, ) Beimel J Los Angeles 2008-08-13 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Beimel J Los Angeles 2008-09-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,0.2, ) Beimel J Los Angeles 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Bell H San Diego 2008-06-06 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Bell H San Diego 2008-06-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Bell H San Diego 2008-08-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Bell H San Diego 2008-09-05 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.2,0.1, ) Beltran F Detroit 2008-08-17 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1, 1, ) Bennett J Atlanta 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 0, 1, ) Bennett J Atlanta 2008-06-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Bennett J Atlanta 2008-08-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Bennett J Atlanta 2008-08-23 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Betancourt R Cleveland 2008-04-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Betancourt R Cleveland 2008-09-16 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Blevins J Oakland 2008-08-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,1.2, ) Blevins J Oakland 2008-09-22 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 ( 1,0.1, ) Borkowski D Houston 2008-04-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Boyer B Atlanta 2008-04-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Bradford C Tampa Bay 2008-08-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.1,0.2, ) Bradford C Tampa Bay 2008-09-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Bray B Cincinnati 2008-05-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Bray B Cincinnati 2008-05-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Bray B Cincinnati 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Bray B Cincinnati 2008-07-21 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.2, 1) Bray B Cincinnati 2008-07-22 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,0.2, ) Breslow C Minnesota 2008-09-17 SH VIOLATION 1 ( , 4, ) Broadway L Chicago 2008-08-29 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Brocail D Houston 2008-04-13 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.1, ) Brocail D Houston 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 (0.2,0.2, ) Brocail D Houston 2008-06-29 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.1, ) Brocail D Houston 2008-08-30 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Broxton J Los Angeles 2008-08-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Bruney B New York 2008-08-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2,0.1, ) Buchholz T Colorado 2008-04-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Burnett S Pittsburgh 2008-07-13 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,0.1, ) Burnett S Pittsburgh 2008-08-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.2,0.2, ) Burnett S Pittsburgh 2008-09-28 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,1.1, ) Byrdak T Houston 2008-05-15 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Byrdak T Houston 2008-07-03 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.2, 0, ) Byrdak T Houston 2008-07-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.2, ) Carlson J Toronto 2008-05-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0, 0, ) Carlson J Toronto 2008-05-14 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.1, 0, 0) Carlson J Toronto 2008-05-15 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Carlson J Toronto 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 0,1.1, ) Carrasco D Chicago 2008-08-16 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.2, 1, ) Casilla S Oakland 2008-04-11 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.1,0.1, ) Castillo A Baltimore 2008-08-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.2, 1, ) Colome J Washington 2008-05-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Colome J Washington 2008-09-01 SH VIOLATION * 2.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Condrey C Philadelphia 2008-07-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Corey B San Diego 2008-07-20 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Corpas M Colorado 2008-04-08 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2, 1, ) Corpas M Colorado 2008-07-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (1.1, 1, ) Cotts N Chicago 2008-06-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Cotts N Chicago 2008-07-05 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, 1) Cotts N Chicago 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1,0.1, ) Cotts N Chicago 2008-07-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 2, ) Crain J Minnesota 2008-07-12 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Cruz J Arizona 2008-04-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Cruz J Arizona 2008-06-11 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,0.1, ) Dolsi F Detroit 2008-06-04 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 0, ) Dolsi F Detroit 2008-07-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,1.1, ) Dotel O Chicago 2008-07-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.2, ) Downs S Toronto 2008-05-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Downs S Toronto 2008-05-14 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Downs S Toronto 2008-08-13 SH VIOLATION 2 (2.1, , ) Dumatrait P Pittsburgh 2008-04-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Durbin C Philadelphia 2008-07-31 SH VIOLATION 0.1 ( ,3.2, ) Elarton S Cleveland 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Embree A Oakland 2008-05-06 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Embree A Oakland 2008-06-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Eyre S Philadelphia 2008-09-09 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.1,0.1, ) Eyre S Philadelphia 2008-09-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Falkenborg B Los Angeles 2008-07-12 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 0, ) Farnsworth K New York 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1, 0, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 0,0.1, 0) Feliciano P New York 2008-04-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.1, 1, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-04-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,1.1, 1) Feliciano P New York 2008-04-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2, 1, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-05-22 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.2,0.2, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-06-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-06-29 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,1.1, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-08-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 0, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-09-01 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,0.1, 0) Feliciano P New York 2008-09-02 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.2, ) Feliciano P New York 2008-09-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Foulke K Oakland 2008-06-15 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Franklin R St. Louis 2008-06-15 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Frasor J Toronto 2008-04-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Gagne E Milwaukee 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1,0.2, 1) Gagne E Milwaukee 2008-04-20 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Gagne E Milwaukee 2008-04-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Gagne E Milwaukee 2008-09-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 2, ) Gaudin C Chicago 2008-07-28 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1,0.2, ) Gaudin C Chicago 2008-08-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Geary G Houston 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) German F Texas 2008-04-14 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1, 1, ) Glover G Detroit 2008-09-23 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,0.2, ) Glover G Tampa Bay 2008-05-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Gobble J Kansas City 2008-05-23 SH VIOLATION * 2 ( 1, 1, ) Gonzalez E Arizona 2008-05-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Gordon T Philadelphia 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Grabow J Pittsburgh 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.2, 1, ) Green S Seattle 2008-05-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Guardado E Texas 2008-06-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Guardado E Texas 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Guardado E Texas 2008-07-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Guardado E Texas 2008-08-05 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Guerrier M Minnesota 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Guerrier M Minnesota 2008-08-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Guerrier M Minnesota 2008-08-27 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2, 0, ) Guerrier M Minnesota 2008-09-17 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Hanrahan J Washington 2008-06-29 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Hart K Chicago 2008-09-25 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2,0.1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-06-12 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-06-17 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-07-02 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.1,0.1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-07-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Heilman A New York 2008-07-19 SH VIOLATION * 3 (0.2,0.1, ) Heilman A New York 2008-07-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2,0.2, ) Heilman A New York 2008-08-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.2, ) Hensley C San Diego 2008-07-30 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Hensley C San Diego 2008-08-27 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Herges M Colorado 2008-04-04 SH VIOLATION * 2 ( 1,1.2, ) Herges M Colorado 2008-04-18 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,0.1, ) Hinckley M Washington 2008-09-16 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 0, ) Hinshaw A San Francisco 2008-06-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 0, 1, ) Hinshaw A San Francisco 2008-07-29 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Howell J Tampa Bay 2008-05-19 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.2, 1, ) Howell J Tampa Bay 2008-06-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,1.2, ) Howry B Chicago 2008-05-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,1.1, ) Howry B Chicago 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Howry B Chicago 2008-07-25 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Jimenez C Seattle 2008-07-23 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.2, ) Jimenez C Seattle 2008-07-30 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Johnson J Baltimore 2008-05-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Julio J Atlanta 2008-09-07 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1,0.1, ) King R Washington 2008-04-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Kobayashi M Cleveland 2008-06-21 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.1, 1, ) Kobayashi M Cleveland 2008-07-31 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Korecky B Minnesota 2008-09-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) League B Toronto 2008-08-13 SH VIOLATION * 2 ( 1, 1, ) Lewis J Cleveland 2008-09-16 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2, 1, 1) Lewis J Cleveland 2008-09-17 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Lindstrom M Florida 2008-08-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Linebrink S Chicago 2008-04-05 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Linebrink S Chicago 2008-04-17 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Linebrink S Chicago 2008-05-10 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Linebrink S Chicago 2008-05-22 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.2, 0, ) Logan B Chicago 2008-04-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,1.1, ) Logan B Chicago 2008-07-10 SH VIOLATION 0.2 (2.2, ,2.1) Lopez A Detroit 2008-07-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 0,1.1, ) Lopez J Boston 2008-04-25 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Lopez J Boston 2008-05-22 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1, 1, ) Lopez J Boston 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Lopez J Boston 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Lowe M Seattle 2008-08-01 SH VIOLATION 1 ( ,3.2, ) Madrigal W Texas 2008-08-08 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Madrigal W Texas 2008-08-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Madson R Philadelphia 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.1, ) Madson R Philadelphia 2008-08-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Madson R Philadelphia 2008-09-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Madson R Philadelphia 2008-09-22 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Mahay R Kansas City 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Majewski G Cincinnati 2008-07-22 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1, 1, ) Majewski G Cincinnati 2008-07-27 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Manning C Washington 2008-06-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.2, ) Manning C Washington 2008-07-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-04-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-04-23 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-05-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-05-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Marmol C Chicago 2008-08-03 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Marte D New York 2008-08-29 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.1, 1) Marte D New York 2008-08-30 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Medders B Arizona 2008-04-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Mercker K Cincinnati 2008-04-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-04-02 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-04-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2, 1, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-05-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 2, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-05-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-06-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-07-08 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.2, 2, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-08-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Meredith C San Diego 2008-09-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Mickolio K Baltimore 2008-09-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.1, ) Miller J Florida 2008-04-27 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Miller T Tampa Bay 2008-04-12 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.2, 1) Miller T Tampa Bay 2008-04-13 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,0.1, ) Miller T Tampa Bay 2008-04-26 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Miller T Tampa Bay 2008-08-18 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Moylan P Atlanta 2008-04-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Mujica E Cleveland 2008-06-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.2, ) Nelson J Florida 2008-07-05 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Nelson J Florida 2008-07-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.2, 1) Nelson J Florida 2008-07-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Nelson J Florida 2008-08-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Nelson J Florida 2008-09-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,1.1, ) Nunez L Kansas City 2008-04-26 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2, 1, ) O'Flaherty E Seattle 2008-04-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-05-08 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.1, 1) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-05-09 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-06-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-07-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-07-27 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-08-15 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.1, ) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-08-20 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1, 0,0.1) Ohman W Atlanta 2008-08-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,0.1, ) Okajima H Boston 2008-04-12 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Okajima H Boston 2008-09-23 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Oliver D Anaheim 2008-05-02 SH VIOLATION 1.1 (2.1, , ) Oliver D Anaheim 2008-06-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.2, ) Oliver D Anaheim 2008-08-21 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Osoria F Pittsburgh 2008-04-05 SH VIOLATION 1.1 ( , ,4.1) Osoria F Pittsburgh 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Pena T Arizona 2008-04-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Pena T Arizona 2008-06-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Pena T Arizona 2008-06-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Pena T Arizona 2008-08-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,1.1, ) Perez R Cleveland 2008-05-18 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (1.1,0.1, ) Perez R Cleveland 2008-05-24 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Perez R Cleveland 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 ( 2,0.1, ) Perez R Cleveland 2008-07-11 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Pinto R Florida 2008-04-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Pinto R Florida 2008-05-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Pinto R Florida 2008-07-04 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Pinto R Florida 2008-07-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Pinto R Florida 2008-07-30 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1,0.1, ) Proctor S Los Angeles 2008-06-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Qualls C Arizona 2008-05-15 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2, 1, ) Ramirez H Chicago 2008-09-07 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 (0.2,0.1, ) Ramirez R Kansas City 2008-07-08 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (1.2,0.2,0.1) Ramirez R Kansas City 2008-07-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Rauch J Arizona 2008-08-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Rauch J Washington 2008-05-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Rauch J Washington 2008-06-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Rauch J Washington 2008-07-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Reyes A Tampa Bay 2008-06-01 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 0, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-04-03 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (1.1, 1, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-04-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 0, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-05-10 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, 0) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-05-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-07-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-08-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.1, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-09-04 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Reyes D Minnesota 2008-09-17 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.1, ) Rhodes A Florida 2008-08-12 SH VIOLATION 0.1 (2.1, ,0.1) Rincon J Cleveland 2008-09-14 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.2, 0, ) Ring R Atlanta 2008-06-01 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Ring R Atlanta 2008-06-06 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1, 1,0.2) Ring R Atlanta 2008-06-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 0, ) Ring R Atlanta 2008-07-28 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,1.1, ) Rivera S Washington 2008-04-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 2,0.1, ) Rivera S Washington 2008-06-14 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-04-04 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 0, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-05-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, 0) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-05-02 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-07-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-07-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, 1) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-07-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,1.1, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-08-10 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Romero J Philadelphia 2008-08-26 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,1.2, ) Rowland-Smith R Seattle 2008-05-14 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Sampson C Houston 2008-08-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Sanchez D New York 2008-07-06 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Sanchez D New York 2008-07-11 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (1.2,0.2, ) Sarfate D Baltimore 2008-04-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Sarfate D Baltimore 2008-06-12 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2, 1, ) Sarfate D Baltimore 2008-07-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.2, ) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-04-27 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.2, 1, ) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-05-30 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 (0.1,0.1, ) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-06-07 SH VIOLATION * 1 (1.1,0.1,0.1) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-06-08 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-08-07 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1,0.1, ) Schoeneweis S New York 2008-08-11 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,0.1, ) Seay B Detroit 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Shell S Washington 2008-08-13 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Shields S Anaheim 2008-04-15 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 ( 1,0.2, ) Shields S Anaheim 2008-04-24 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Shields S Anaheim 2008-05-14 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Shouse B Milwaukee 2008-04-17 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Slaten D Arizona 2008-06-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,0.1, ) Smith J New York 2008-06-07 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1,0.1, ) Smith J New York 2008-08-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 0, 1,0.1) Smith J New York 2008-08-12 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.2, ) Smith J New York 2008-09-02 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,0.2,0.2) Smith J New York 2008-09-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Smith J New York 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Smith J New York 2008-09-26 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 2,0.2, ) Sosa J New York 2008-04-10 SH VIOLATION * 1.2 (0.1, 1, ) Sosa J New York 2008-04-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Sosa J New York 2008-05-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 1, ) Speier J Anaheim 2008-04-15 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1, 1, ) Speier J Anaheim 2008-04-25 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1, 1, ) Speier J Anaheim 2008-09-05 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.1, 1, 1) Speier J Anaheim 2008-09-06 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Springer R St. Louis 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Springer R St. Louis 2008-08-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Stokes B New York 2008-08-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Stokes B New York 2008-09-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Street H Oakland 2008-05-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Street H Oakland 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Street H Oakland 2008-06-15 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Street H Oakland 2008-08-15 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1,0.1, ) Tallet B Toronto 2008-05-16 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Tankersley T Florida 2008-05-02 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Taschner J San Francisco 2008-04-09 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.2,0.1, 1) Taschner J San Francisco 2008-04-10 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Taschner J San Francisco 2008-05-04 SH VIOLATION * 0 ( 1, 1, ) Taschner J San Francisco 2008-05-30 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.2, 0, ) Taschner J San Francisco 2008-06-22 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Tavarez J Atlanta 2008-07-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Tavarez J Atlanta 2008-08-15 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Tavarez J Atlanta 2008-09-11 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Thornton M Chicago 2008-06-06 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Thornton M Chicago 2008-07-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.1, ) Thornton M Chicago 2008-09-29 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Veras J New York 2008-08-24 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 0, ) Veras J New York 2008-08-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,0.2, ) Villanueva C Milwaukee 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 1.1 ( 1, 1, ) Villarreal O Houston 2008-04-29 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1,0.1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-04-04 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-05-31 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2,0.1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-07-19 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-08-16 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-09-02 SH VIOLATION * 0 (0.1, 0,0.1) Villone R St. Louis 2008-09-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-09-14 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1, 0, ) Villone R St. Louis 2008-09-24 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Vizcaino L Colorado 2008-07-21 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1,0.1, ) Waechter D Florida 2008-07-05 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Waechter D Florida 2008-07-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0,0.2, ) Walker J Baltimore 2008-04-12 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Walker T San Francisco 2008-04-09 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1, 1, ) Walker T San Francisco 2008-04-14 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 1, ) Walker T San Francisco 2008-08-21 SH VIOLATION 1.1 (2.2, ,0.1) Wassermann E Chicago 2008-08-03 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2, 1, ) Weathers D Cincinnati 2008-05-13 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.2,0.1, ) Weathers D Cincinnati 2008-05-25 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Weathers D Cincinnati 2008-07-13 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Weathers D Cincinnati 2008-07-21 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Wheeler D Tampa Bay 2008-06-30 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Wheeler D Tampa Bay 2008-07-26 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,0.1, ) Wheeler D Tampa Bay 2008-08-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, ) Wright J Texas 2008-06-19 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, 1) Wright J Texas 2008-06-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1,0.2, ) Wright W Houston 2008-06-15 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.1,0.2, ) Wright W Houston 2008-07-01 SH VIOLATION * 1 (0.1,0.1, ) Wright W Houston 2008-07-30 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 0, 1, ) Wuertz M Chicago 2008-06-02 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1, 0, 1) Wuertz M Chicago 2008-06-03 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.2, 1, ) Wuertz M Chicago 2008-09-28 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Yabuta Y Kansas City 2008-05-19 SH VIOLATION * 2 (0.2,0.1, ) Yabuta Y Kansas City 2008-06-11 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (0.1,1.1, ) Yates T Pittsburgh 2008-05-09 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 ( 1, 1, ) Yates T Pittsburgh 2008-09-18 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1,1.1, ) Yates T Pittsburgh 2008-09-26 SH VIOLATION * 0.1 (1.1, 1, ) Ziegler B Oakland 2008-06-20 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 (0.1,1.1, 1) Ziegler B Oakland 2008-06-21 SH VIOLATION * 1 ( 1, 1, ) Ziegler B Oakland 2008-09-21 SH VIOLATION * 0.2 ( 1, 1, 1) Ziegler B Oakland 2008-09-22
There are 35 more violations involving appearances of more than 4 innings. I didn’t count these, because some of the guys Longs or Starter/Shorts, and a lot of the games look to be guys “taking one for the team” when they’re getting whipped.
One more curiosity. No pitcher appeared on five consecutive days. There were, however, 42 streaks of four consecutive days. Pedro Feliciano did it three times!
Bell H San Diego 4 in a row short Bray B Cincinnati 4 in a row short Bray B Cincinnati 4 in a row short Capps M Pittsburgh 4 in a row closer Carlson J Toronto 4 in a row short Cordero F Cincinnati 4 in a row closer Cotts N Chicago 4 in a row short Feliciano P New York 4 in a row short Feliciano P New York 4 in a row short Feliciano P New York 4 in a row short Gagne E Milwaukee 4 in a row short Gregg K Florida 4 in a row closer Hoffman T San Diego 4 in a row closer Jenks B Chicago 4 in a row closer Lewis J Cleveland 4 in a row short Lidge B Philadelphia 4 in a row closer Marte D New York 4 in a row short Miller T Tampa Bay 4 in a row short Nelson J Florida 4 in a row short Ohman W Atlanta 4 in a row short Ohman W Atlanta 4 in a row short Ramirez R Kansas City 4 in a row short Reyes D Minnesota 4 in a row short Ring R Atlanta 4 in a row short Rivera M New York 4 in a row closer Romero J Philadelphia 4 in a row short Romero J Philadelphia 4 in a row short Schoeneweis S New York 4 in a row short Smith J New York 4 in a row short Smith J New York 4 in a row short Soria J Kansas City 4 in a row closer Speier J Anaheim 4 in a row short Taschner J San Francisco 4 in a row short Torres S Milwaukee 4 in a row closer Valverde J Houston 4 in a row closer Villone R St. Louis 4 in a row short Wagner B New York 4 in a row closer Wood K Chicago 4 in a row closer Wright J Texas 4 in a row short Wuertz M Chicago 4 in a row short Ziegler B Oakland 4 in a row short Ziegler B Oakland 4 in a row short
OK, now for the summary.
- 2.2% of Closer appearances would have violated ABL rules.
- 3.1% of Short appearances would have violated ABL rules.
How does this compare to your answer to the question at the beginning: “What’s the right percentage that would make you feel that the ABL rules are just about right?” I’d say that these figures make me feel pretty good about the current ABL rules. Yes, there are cases when set-up men or LOOGies go three days in a row, but it’s still a very small percentage.