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Can’t Buy a Win

Posted by Raphy on September 24, 2008

When Phil Hughes was removed from a tie game tonight, it almost assured that the Yankees will have 2 semi-regular starters with winless seasons. Both Hughes and teammate Ian Kennedy have failed to register a major league win, despite making 8 and 9 starts respectively.  Barring  the unexpected, they will become just the 3rd pair of teammates to each make at least 8 starts and fail to register a win.  Here are the other 2.

2001 Cincinnati Reds
 Player              Ag  G    ERA   W   L  SV  GS  GF  CG SHO   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO   BFP  WP HBP BK IBB ERA+
 Rob Bell            24   9   5.48   0   5  0   9   0   0   0   44.3   46   28   27   9   17   33  188   1   3  0   1  84
 Brian Reith         23   9   7.81   0   7  0   8   0   0   0   40.3   56   37   35  13   16   22  192   1   2  0   0  59

1999 San Diego Padres
 Player              Ag  G    ERA   W   L  SV  GS  GF  CG SHO   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO   BFP  WP HBP BK IBB ERA+
 Stan Spencer        30   9   9.16   0   7  0   8   1   0   0   38.3   56   44   39  11   11   36  183   1   1  1   1  46
 Heath Murray        26  22   5.76   0   4  0   8   1   0   0   50.0   60   33   32   7   26   25  234   1   1  1   4  73

4 Responses to “Can’t Buy a Win”

  1. JohnnyTwisto Says:

    I'm sort of surprised there's only been 2 other pairs like that. Of course, that search won't pick up any starters who were similarly futile but picked up a win or 3 in relief. I'm still sanguine on Hughes's future.

  2. Hughes & Kennedy Make History : WasWatching.com Says:

    [...] Baseball-Reference.com’s Stat of the Day blog - Barring the unexpected, [Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy] will become just the 3rd pair of [...]

  3. kingturtle Says:

    very interesting post. this got me thinking...what is the most games started for a pitcher without getting any decision at all?

  4. whiz Says:

    Kingturtle: a quick search of the PI shows that it is 6 by Chris Brock of Atlanta in 1997. The next closest is 4, including by Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers this year.

    The most starts without a win, 14, is by Vida Blue in 1983.