BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: It’s been 10 years since Kerry Wood set baseball ablaze with 20 Ks

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008

It’s been 10 years since Kerry Wood set baseball ablaze with 20 Ks

He struck out 20 Astros that day - tying Roger Clemens’ record for most K’s in a game - while tossing a one-hit shutout.

Monday is the 10th anniversary of that gem, and folks around the game still marvel at what Wood, a rookie making his fifth big-league start, did on May 6, 1998. That day, Billy Williams and Ron Santo, two former Cub greats who were on the team that Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against in 1965, both told then-Cubs manager Jim Riggleman, “As great as Sandy’s day was, Kerry was more dominating,” Riggleman recalls.

knucklehead7 Posted: May 06, 2008 at 01:14 PM | 38 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: cubs, history

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1. Smiling Joe Hesketh Posted: May 06, 2008 at 02:23 PM (#2770582)

He was throwing Bugs Bunny pitches that game. Didn't he actually injure his elbow throwing one of those ridiculous sliders?

2. Frisco Cali Posted: May 06, 2008 at 02:42 PM (#2770607)

I was at that game. The Astros bullpen coach, after the 3rd inning, said they'd get him the 2nd time through the lineup. After the 5th inning, he could only shake his head.

3. Styles P. Deadball Posted: May 06, 2008 at 03:47 PM (#2770667)

I've got that game on DVD. I re-watched it this winter and was just dumbfounded at the movement and hop those pitches had all day long.

4. Nick Warino Posted: May 06, 2008 at 04:29 PM (#2770719)

It's too bad MLB has such a bonehead media policy, so we can't see games like this, or Pedro masterpieces from 1999-2000 on YouTube. I really don't see how this helps them. Last night I watched some old Jordan highlights and it prompted me turn on the Hornets-Spurs game.

5. PreservedFish Posted: May 06, 2008 at 05:26 PM (#2770783)

Yup. Kerry Wood had the best stuff ever that day.

6. aleskel

Posted: May 06, 2008 at 05:41 PM (#2770797)

Youtube does have a highlight reel of the 20 Ks

damn, that slider is amazing, although my elbow aches just watching it.

7. VoodooR Posted: May 06, 2008 at 06:11 PM (#2770831)

Wow. I can't believe it has been ten years.

So is there a general consensus around here that this is the best pitching performance of all time (without adjusting for the significance of the game)? I certainly would have to think so; IIRC it is the highest "Game Score" of all-time.

8. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: May 06, 2008 at 06:17 PM (#2770838)

I had completely forgotten that it was almost a no-hitter, as well.

9. Flynn Posted: May 06, 2008 at 06:18 PM (#2770839)

This game is on MLB.com's Baseball Best. If you don't want to pay $3.99 that's not their problem. I'm sure games like these will be on their TV channel anyway. BB is a pretty good resource for famous old games; I wish MLB didn't hide it in a corner of their website and was more proactive about putting games on there, but what's already there has offered me many hours of entertainment.

I wish MLB would work with youtube but it's not like they're the only sporting organization taking a hostile stance towards it. The NFL, the English Premier League, some other European soccer clubs, etc. etc.

10. deputydrew Posted: May 06, 2008 at 06:29 PM (#2770847)

Youtube does have a highlight reel of the 20 Ks

Thanks for the link. Those balls are just exploding. Wow.

I note that he threw 122 pitches. While that's not a ridiculous number, I wonder if, just ten years later, a manager would be more inclined to pull him after eight innings.

Either way, what a day.

That's one of the very few games for which I actually remember where I was. (I was doing doors for a political candidate and listened to the end on the car radio.) The other two (non-recent) games are game five of the 1989 NLCS (standing in my bedroom cheering for Will as he ripped Mitch Williams up the middle) and the earthquake game the next week (sitting in my parents' family room).

11. Teheran's Uranium Enriched Missiles Posted: May 06, 2008 at 06:31 PM (#2770850)

That slider to strike out Bell was just plain crazy.

12. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:01 PM (#2770878)

I note that he threw 122 pitches. While that's not a ridiculous number, I wonder if, just ten years later, a manager would be more inclined to pull him after eight innings.

With 18 Ks? I very much doubt it. Possible though, I suppose.

It was better then nearly a no-hitter, it was basically a dinky single away from being a perfect game. Also, Shane Reynolds pitched a helluva game himself: CG, 10 K, 1 ER. His GS was 68. I can't imaigne any day has ever topped their combined 173.

13. Teheran's Uranium Enriched Missiles Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:02 PM (#2770880)

what about the Randy Johnson v Jose Jiminez games?
Too lazy to look it up.

14. retro-shiite Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:07 PM (#2770884)

I had completely forgotten that it was almost a no-hitter, as well.

And arguably should've been; the only hit was a Ricky Gutierrez bleeder toward third base that Kevin Orie mishandled.

15. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:09 PM (#2770886)

what about the Randy Johnson v Jose Jiminez games?
Too lazy to look it up.

Good call. That's a 178. The winner for Old School Division might be Game 2 of the 1916 World Series which is a 179, Babe Ruth went 14 innings and gave up 0 runs, Sherry Smith went 13 and a third before giving up the game-winning run.

16. retro-shiite Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:13 PM (#2770894)

It was better then nearly a no-hitter, it was basically a dinky single away from being a perfect game.

Well, he did hit a batter, but yeah. It was the most dominant game ever pitched. I had forgotten how ludicrous that last pitch to Bell was. Just cartoonish.

17. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:17 PM (#2770898)

Well, I had forgotten he hit a batter, so nevermind.

Incidentally, I'm really taken by this Game Score stuff. We have a new champion (9 or 8 inning game only, division): This Game, which is Koufax's perect game. His game is 101, Bob Hendley clocked in at 80.

18. Clemenza Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:20 PM (#2770900)

In the spring of 1999 a Cub fan told me, "I'd be shocked if Kerry Wood doesn't throw a no hitter this year."

Easiest $20 I ever made.

19. Styles P. Deadball Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:24 PM (#2770906)

That must have been pretty early in the spring. His elbow blew about thirty minutes into the pitcher-covers-first drill.

20. Charter Member of the Jesus Melendez Fanclub Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:40 PM (#2770929)

IIRC it is the highest "Game Score" of all-time

Not even close.

edit: for a 9-inning game, it probably is.

21. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM (#2770945)

The winner for Old School Division might be Game 2 of the 1916 World Series which is a 179, Babe Ruth went 14 innings and gave up 0 runs, Sherry Smith went 13 and a third before giving up the game-winning run.

Oeschger-Cadore.

22. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:53 PM (#2770953)

I can't imaigne any day has ever topped their combined 173.

You gotta be kidding.

This game had a heckuva combined game score.

Just a nine-inning affair? OK. This one is at 181

23. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: May 06, 2008 at 07:55 PM (#2770957)

Courtesy, B-ref's PI, here are the highest Game Scores in a loss by pitchers that didn't go beyond 9 innings.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to make a Stat-of-the-Day blog posting based on this.

24. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: May 06, 2008 at 08:08 PM (#2770975)

That makes me feel old. Also making me feel old: the invitation to join the AARP I got yesterday. That was unexpected, because I'm only two years older than Kerry Wood.

25. Dag Nabbit apealing [sic] his own check swing Posted: May 06, 2008 at 08:08 PM (#2770977)

My Stat-of-the-Day post. Forgot all about the Haddix game. Never heard of the Maloney game.

26. retro-shiite Posted: May 06, 2008 at 08:16 PM (#2770992)

Courtesy, B-ref's PI, here are the highest Game Scores in a loss by pitchers that didn't go beyond 9 innings.

I remember that Bob Sebra start (#13 on the list). Only run of the game was a homer by Jerry Mumphrey. Maddux threw a shutout. If memory serves.

27. Devin has a deep burning passion for fuzzy socks Posted: May 06, 2008 at 08:48 PM (#2771022)

What about the Ed Walsh-Addie Joss game?

28. Howie B. Posted: May 06, 2008 at 08:57 PM (#2771031)

**NOBODY CARES ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE'S FANTASY TEAM ALERT**

I had both Wood and Reynolds on my fantasy team that year, and thanks to this game I moved from 7th place to 2nd place. This one game gave me hope for the long term. Of course it was still early May, and I faded quickly, never able to recapture the glory of that fleeting moment.

I'll now let the analogy to Wood's career sink in...

29. base ball chick Posted: May 06, 2008 at 09:47 PM (#2771077)

why would a no hitter with more pitches and Ks get a higher score than a no hitter with 27 GO on just a few pitches for each out?

and did anyone else notice that roger took 149 pitches for his 20K game in 86? and 139 pitches for his 20K game in 96?

i am guessing that this was a day game because for some reason i don't remember sitting through it. i remember that game, just no memory of watching it. maybe it was just too awful to remember...

that 98 astros team was the best team we ever had

sigh

30. retro-shiite Posted: May 06, 2008 at 10:19 PM (#2771097)

why would a no hitter with more pitches and Ks get a higher score than a no hitter with 27 GO on just a few pitches for each out?

Because the game score formula gives additional credit for Ks.

Off the top of my head:

1. Start with 50.
2. Add 1 for each out recorded.
3. Beginning with the 5th inning, add 2 for each inning completed.
4. Add 1 for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 1 for each walk (and I suppose HBP).
6. Subtract 2 for each hit allowed.
7. Subtract 2 for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 4 for each earned run allowed.

Total is the pitcher's game score.

So for Wood's 20-K game:

1. 50
2. +27 = 77
3. +10 (2 for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th innings) = 87
4. +20 = 107
5. -1 (if you count the HBP) = 106
6. -2 = 104
7. -0 =104
8. -0 =104

104 if you count the HBP the same as a walk; 105 otherwise.

31. retro-shiite Posted: May 06, 2008 at 10:23 PM (#2771098)

And yes, that was a day game. With a very sparse crowd, if memory serves.

32. Roger Cedeno's Spleen Posted: May 06, 2008 at 10:44 PM (#2771109)

I'm assuming the best ever combined game score would be the Oeschger-Cadore 26-inning game...

33. rlc Posted: May 06, 2008 at 10:45 PM (#2771110)

So I looked at the Koufax perfect game boxscore, saw the PH by Amalfitano and Kuenn in the ninth, and thought: "Huh, future managers pinch-hitting." Then I noticed Wills, Lefebvre and Torborg all started for the Dodgers, and I started clicking on links and learned that Kessinger and Tracewski managed briefly as well...

Seven future managers in one game - does that seem like a lot to you?

Then I looked at the Marichal-Spahn box and counted Kuenn again, Alou, Davenport, Crandall, Matthews, and McMillan. With the timing of expansion, would I find six or seven future managers in every game that was played in the '60s?

34. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: May 06, 2008 at 11:08 PM (#2771124)

edit: for a 9-inning game, it probably is.

Well yeah. A 1 hit shutout with no walks and 20 K's? The only way to beat it would be for more K's (hasn't happened), or a 19+ K perfecto (hasn't happened either).

35. Greg Franklin Posted: May 06, 2008 at 11:29 PM (#2771149)

James's GS formula dates from the mid-80s, so I am impressed that it anticipated DIPS/BABIP theory by giving extra credit for strikeouts.

Essentially, it encodes the idea that a 1-hit shutout with 20 strikeouts is a far more impressive start than a 1-hit shutout with 7 strikeouts. The 7-strikeout guy was most likely bailed out by his defense or by dumb luck 6 or 7 times (20 balls in play). Kerry Wood did it on his own.

36. SouthSideRyan Posted: May 06, 2008 at 11:36 PM (#2771158)

Should be noted the hbp was Biggio, so it's as suspect as the hit. Just your standard Biggio sticking his elbow out.

37. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: May 06, 2008 at 11:37 PM (#2771160)

Essentially, it encodes the idea that a 1-hit shutout with 20 strikeouts is a far more impressive start than a 1-hit shutout with 7 strikeouts.

Or a no hitter with no strikeouts.

38. Greg Franklin Posted: May 06, 2008 at 11:52 PM (#2771171)

Oh yes. By Tangotiger's pitch-count estimator, that Holtzmann no-hitter was 106 pitches, which seems a little high for a game with no strikeouts and the Braves hitting easy grounder after easy fly. Does anyone remember watching it?

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It’s been 10 years since Kerry Wood set baseball ablaze with 20 Ks

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