Why this card is awesome: Because of the great shot of Garber, looking like he's pitching softball. Also who's in the background..Seitzer I think?
Cool stat: Scanning Garber's stats, I noticed a weird thing. In 1974, he racked up 24 intentional walks in just 76 IP. That's the most IBBs in any season with 100 or fewer IP. Wait a second, upon further research, that's the most IBBs in any season since 1901 (regardless of IP!)
There must be some explanation for this...anybody?
Maybe Garber just liked issuing IBBs. After all, for career IBBs since 1901, he's 4th overall, with about the same number as Steve Carlton had, in more than 3,000 fewer innings. Kent Tekulve is #1 all time with even fewer innings than Garber.
3 comments:
In the top 10 for career IBBs, there are 5 relievers / closers from the 1970s / 1980s with fewer than 2,000 career IP. Perhaps IBBs were a commonly applied closer strategy in that era.
It probably has something to do with the fact that Garber and Tekulve were sidearm/submarine pitchers, and were therefore tougher on righties. So, they intentionally walked a lot of lefties to get the better matchup.
I remember seeing Garber pitch when I was young and thinking how does anyone hit his guy, he's amazing!
Post a Comment