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Inbaseball, the statistic innings pitched (IP) is the number of inningsapitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that have been put out while the pitcher is on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two outs as two-thirds of an inning. Sometimes, the statistic is written 34.1, 72.2, or 91.0, for example, to represent 34+1⁄3 innings, 72+2⁄3 innings, and 91 innings exactly, respectively.
Runners left on base by a pitcher are not counted in determining innings pitched. It is possible for a pitcher to enter a game, give up several hits and possibly even several runs, and be removed before achieving any outs, thereby recording a total of zero innings pitched. Alternatively, it is possible for a pitcher to enter a situation where there are two runners on base and no outs. He could throw one pitch that results in a triple play, and for that one pitch he would be credited with a full inning pitched.
InMajor League Baseball, the only active players in the top 100 all-time at the end of the 2009 season were Tom Glavine (ranked 30th with 4,413+1⁄3IP), Randy Johnson (ranked 38th with 4,135+1⁄3), Jamie Moyer (ranked 45th with 3,908+2⁄3) and John Smoltz (ranked 74th with 3473). By the end of the 2018 season, only two active players were in the top 100 all-time: CC Sabathia (ranked 73rd with 3470), and Bartolo Colón (ranked 74th with 3461+2⁄3). This is because over time, innings pitched have declined. Several factors are responsible for this decline[citation needed]:
Rank | Player | Innings pitched |
---|---|---|
1 | Cy Young | 7,356 |
2 | Pud Galvin | 6,003+1⁄3 |
3 | Walter Johnson | 5,914+1⁄3 |
4 | Phil Niekro | 5,404 |
5 | Nolan Ryan | 5,386 |
6 | Gaylord Perry | 5,350 |
7 | Don Sutton | 5,282+1⁄3 |
8 | Warren Spahn * | 5,243+2⁄3 |
9 | Steve Carlton * | 5,217+2⁄3 |
10 | Grover Cleveland Alexander | 5,190 |
11 | Kid Nichols | 5,067+1⁄3 |
12 | Tim Keefe | 5,049+2⁄3 |
13 | Greg Maddux | 5,008+1⁄3 |
14 | Bert Blyleven | 4,970 |
15 | Bobby Mathews | 4,956 |
16 | Roger Clemens | 4,916+2⁄3 |
17 | Mickey Welch | 4,802 |
18 | Christy Mathewson | 4,788+2⁄3 |
19 | Tom Seaver | 4,783 |
20 | Tommy John * | 4,710+1⁄3 |
* Pitched left-handed Active players in bold Through 2016 season |
Rank | Player | Year | Team | Innings pitched |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ed Walsh | 1908 | Chicago White Sox | 464 |
2 | Jack Chesbro | 1904 | New York Highlanders | 454+2⁄3 |
3 | Joe McGinnity | 1903 | New York Giants | 434 |
4 | Ed Walsh | 1907 | Chicago White Sox | 422+1⁄3 |
5 | Vic Willis | 1902 | Boston Beaneaters | 410 |
6 | Joe McGinnity | 1904 | New York Giants | 408 |
7 | Ed Walsh | 1912 | Chicago White Sox | 393 |
8 | Dave Davenport | 1915 | St. Louis Terriers | 392+2⁄3 |
9 | Christy Mathewson | 1908 | New York Giants | 390+2⁄3 |
10 | Jack Powell | 1904 | New York Highlanders | 390+1⁄3 |
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