Danny_Darwin said:I guess this, to me, is the question - how much did people even consider pitch counts back in 2003? I honestly don't remember. I know only a few years later there'd be a lot more evidence on it, but I do wonder if we're judging 2003 Baker by more current standards. In other words, would many of those managing in 2003 have proceeded differently in the same situation?
Again, this was like 12 years ago, so my memory is fuzzy. I seem to recall that I personally only became aware of "pitch counts" as a concept because of Pedro Martinez (and Grady Little), but maybe I'm remembering wrong.
Well - BP introduced the concept of Pitcher Abuse Points way back in 1998
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=148
IIRC they used to rag Baker mercilessly