Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange
A little back-of-the-envelope math:
Currently, MLB seasons run 182 days. Subtract the three days for the All-Star Break, that leaves 179 days. Divide that by five (for a five-man rotation) and you get 35.8, which means a starter in a five-man rotation should get about 36 starts in a season.
From 1946-1958, MLB seasons ran 168 days. Subtract the All-Star Break and that leaves 165 days. Divide by four (for a four-man rotation) and you get 41.25, which means a starter in a four-man rotation should get about 41 starts in a season. During that same time period, how common was it for a starter to have more than 35 starts? My quick spot-check of several seasons suggests it was relatively rare.
In other words, what I'm saying is that it seems a rigidly followed four-man rotation was not as common as you suggested.
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Wouldn't a strict 5-man rotation equal 33 starts for the #1 and #2 pitchers and 32 for #3, #4 and #5 pitchers? (33*2)+(32*3) = 162 games.
-Cork55