Photos: 2008 Phillies
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These days, it's big news when a pitcher completes a game. A guy can be working on a no-hitter for seven innings, but you'd better get him out of there if he has thrown 100 pitches because, heaven knows, his arm might fall off.
"What we have done to a fault - as baseball people, me included - is we have not forced that and not taught that and not developed that, so, therefore, when they get the chance to come out, they do, feeling I've done what I needed to do," Manuel said Wednesday before the game against the Phillies at Shea Stadium. "In our era of coaching and managing, we've probably made a huge mistake in not allowing guys to go further because of, quote unquote, arm injuries. So they have been trained in that manner, that when I reach [a certain point], I'm done."
The topic of complete games was raised to Manuel after the Mets squandered a three-run lead to the Phils in the ninth inning Tuesday night. After Johan Santana held the Phils to two runs over eight innings, Manuel went to the bullpen, and the Mets suffered a difficult loss. Santana had thrown 105 pitches. Manuel has said the Mets consider 100 pitches Santana's limit.
Manuel said he had made the move because of Santana's body language and history. Good as he is, Santana, like most pitchers, does not have a complete-game mind-set. He has completed only six games in his career, which includes two Cy Young Awards.
"When they're young, we have to tell them to finish the game, finish the game," Manuel said. "It's your game. Finish it."
But it's not likely the complete-game pitcher will return. Pitching has become too specialized - middle relievers, setup pitcher, closers - and premier pitchers command huge contracts. So the thinking is complete games jeopardize the huge investments.
In an era when complete games are a rarity, the 6-foot-7, 290-pound Sabathia on Wednesday finished his third start in a row, shutting out the Cardinals, 3-0. He is 4-0 in four starts since Milwaukee acquired the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland.
But with the trade deadline approaching, the Bucs have an abundance of quality young outfielders, and they're looking for prospects in return. According to SI.com, several teams in the pennant chase in the NL, including the Diamondbacks, Mets and Cardinals, have inquired about the Pirates' Xavier Nady, who is batting .327 with 12 homers and 56 RBIs. The Phillies have also shown some interest in Nady, but pitching is a higher priority.
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