by David Skolnik

Created on: August 08, 2010   Last Updated: August 09, 2010

A generation or two ago, there were a handful of elite pitchers in major league baseball who were capable of tossing a complete game with regularity. When I was a young lad, I grew up admiring the talents of Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, Jim Palmer, Denny McClain and others. It was sheer theater to watch a 1-0, 2-1 game pitting Seaver versus Gibson or Carlton versus Koufax with both pitchers throwing a complete game.

Whatever happened to those days? Yes, trends do run their course and times do change. Baseball today is big business and team owners pay exorbitant sums for players. Every team owner desires to put a winning product on the field. On opening day, every team dreams of a fresh start, making the playoffs and possibly winning the world series. But the grind of a grueling 162-game schedule separates the men from the boys and the big market and small market teams.

A team's pitching staff today consists of five capable starting pitchers and a bullpen consisting of a closer, a setup man, one from the left side, one from the right, a long-relief specialist and a "mop up" man. Now there are strict pitch counts and many pitchers are falling prey to tired, over worked arms. Some pitchers are put on the injured-reserved list and require "Tommy John" surgery.

Back in the day, you didn't hear about season-ending surgery. Players stayed in great shape and started every fifth day. Million dollar contracts weren't awarded in the pre-Steinbrenner days, but the Seaver's, Gibson's, Carlton's and Koufax's of the world could retire from baseball and still earn a decent living on their stellar careers, selling baseball cards, memorabilia, making guest appearances, etc.

Today, there are a number of high-profile closers who are paid millions to come in and throw 10, 15 pitches and save a game. In some cases, you need a reliable 8th inning set up man who bridges the gap to the closer. Thus, if C.C. Sabathia tires before getting 27 outs, the Yankees bring in Mariano Rivera. The same goes for Brad Lidge, Billy Wagner, Francisco Rodriguez, Jonathan Papelbon and their respective starters.

In the 1960s and 1970s, it was common for a quality starting pitcher to throw 120, 130 pitches, ice the arm and pitch in five days. Now, if a pitcher nears 100 pitches, a red flag goes up and a call goes out to the bullpen. 

That's life for baseball 2010.

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