Award going to Pitcher that had the greatest control of all time.
Many Baseball historians battle the question of what pitcher had the best control? It all depends on the standard in which you use to measure control and whether you believe different eras need different standards. In 1893, Cy Young gave up just 103 walks in 422.2 innings and 10 years later just 37 in 341.2 innings. Had his control actually gotten that much better or were there other factors at play? On the evidence, Young definitely got sharper as his career progressed. It is true though, he was playing at a time that was forgiving of pitchers who stayed away from the corners and just came in with the ball. It was also a very dead ball indeed and often laden with foreign substances. A ball was usually kept in play for several innings. Over his career he managed 1217 walks in 7356 innings pitched, an average of just 1.49 walked per nine innings. Cy Young begs that anyone who is serious about determining who the greatest pitcher of all time is should examine his overall record carefully.
In any event, most of the records for control were set in the early part of the 20th century.
Best Control Career, since 1893, Minimum 2500 innings
Deacon Phillippe. He issued 363 walks in2607 innings, an average of 1.25 per nine innings pitched. Phillippe pitched in the National League mainly with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1899 to 1911. In 1910 he walked only 9 batters in 122 innings, a then National League low amongst pitchers with over 100 innings. Over his career he won 189 games, plus 3 in the 1903 World Series when he started five games, completed them all, and relieved twice in 1909. Almost as remarkable as his series effort was the fact that he only gave up 4 walks in 50 career series innings.
Best Control, Career, 1920 - 1941, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Carl Hubbell, 725 walks in 3590.1 innings
Second Place - Paul Derringer, 761 walks in 3645 innings
Best Control, 1942 - 1961, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Robin Roberts, 902 walks in 4688.2 innings
Second Place - Lew Burdette, 628 walks in 3067.1 innings
Best Control, since 1961, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Jaun Marichal, 709 walks in 3507.1 innings
Second Place - Fergie Jenkins, 997 walks in 4499 innings. Jenkins was also the first pitcher to record 3000 K's and fewer then 1000 walks.
Best Control, Season
AL - Cy Young, Boston, 1904. 29 walks in 380 innings
NL - Babe Adams, Pittsburgh, 1920. 18 walks in 263 innings. Adams also set a record in 1913 when he worked 314 innings without hitting a batter. The current Major League record for least hit batsmen goes to Al Crowder, who pitched 327 innings for Washington in 1932 without hitting a single batter.
Most Consecutive Innings without Giving up a Walk
AL - 84 1/3 - Bill Fischer, Kansas City A's, 1962.
NL - 72 1/3 - Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves, 2001.
In any event, most of the records for control were set in the early part of the 20th century.
Best Control Career, since 1893, Minimum 2500 innings
Deacon Phillippe. He issued 363 walks in2607 innings, an average of 1.25 per nine innings pitched. Phillippe pitched in the National League mainly with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1899 to 1911. In 1910 he walked only 9 batters in 122 innings, a then National League low amongst pitchers with over 100 innings. Over his career he won 189 games, plus 3 in the 1903 World Series when he started five games, completed them all, and relieved twice in 1909. Almost as remarkable as his series effort was the fact that he only gave up 4 walks in 50 career series innings.
Best Control, Career, 1920 - 1941, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Carl Hubbell, 725 walks in 3590.1 innings
Second Place - Paul Derringer, 761 walks in 3645 innings
Best Control, 1942 - 1961, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Robin Roberts, 902 walks in 4688.2 innings
Second Place - Lew Burdette, 628 walks in 3067.1 innings
Best Control, since 1961, Minimum 3000 innings
First Place - Jaun Marichal, 709 walks in 3507.1 innings
Second Place - Fergie Jenkins, 997 walks in 4499 innings. Jenkins was also the first pitcher to record 3000 K's and fewer then 1000 walks.
Best Control, Season
AL - Cy Young, Boston, 1904. 29 walks in 380 innings
NL - Babe Adams, Pittsburgh, 1920. 18 walks in 263 innings. Adams also set a record in 1913 when he worked 314 innings without hitting a batter. The current Major League record for least hit batsmen goes to Al Crowder, who pitched 327 innings for Washington in 1932 without hitting a single batter.
Most Consecutive Innings without Giving up a Walk
AL - 84 1/3 - Bill Fischer, Kansas City A's, 1962.
NL - 72 1/3 - Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves, 2001.
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