Innings pitched

In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are 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 counts 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.

Decline

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 1⁄3 IP), 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 has declined. Several factors are responsible for this decline:

  • From 1876 to 1892, pitchers threw from fifty feet and exerted less stress on their arms (also pitchers often threw underhand in this era). In this era, season totals of 600 innings pitched were not uncommon.
  • In 1892, pitchers moved back to the current distance of sixty feet, six inches. However, they still often threw 400 innings in a season. This was because the home run was far less common and pitchers often conserved arm strength throughout the game.
  • From 1920 to the 1980s, the four-man pitching rotation was well established. Pitchers could no longer throw 400 innings in a season, as the home run meant a run could be scored at any time. The league leader in innings pitched often threw somewhat more than 300 innings. Occasionally, innings pitched would spike, as in the early 1970s, when Wilbur Wood pitched ​376 2⁄3 innings in 1972 and then ​359 1⁄3 innings in 1973.
  • From the 1980s to the present, the four-man rotation was replaced with the five-man rotation, with a weak fifth man who would often be skipped on off days. Also, managers starting using their bullpens more and more, accelerating the decline in innings pitched. Today, only a few pitchers pitch more than 250 innings in a season.

Records

All-time leaders
Cy Young holds the record of Innings Pitched with 7,356 Innings pitched


Further information: List of Major League Baseball career innings pitched leaders
RankPlayerInnings pitched
1Cy Young7,356
2Pud Galvin​6,003 1⁄3
3Walter Johnson​5,914 1⁄3
4Phil Niekro5,404
5Nolan Ryan5,386
6Gaylord Perry5,350
7Don Sutton​5,282 1⁄3
8Warren Spahn *​5,243 2⁄3
9Steve Carlton *​5,217 2⁄3
10Grover Cleveland Alexander5,190
11Kid Nichols​5,067 1⁄3
12Tim Keefe​5,049 2⁄3
13Greg Maddux​5,008 1⁄3
14Bert Blyleven4,970
15Bobby Mathews4,956
16Roger Clemens​4,916 2⁄3
17Mickey Welch4,802
18Christy Mathewson​4,788 2⁄3
19Tom Seaver4,783
20Tommy John *​4,710 1⁄3
* Pitched left-handed
Active players in bold
Through 2016 season

Single season leaders

Per Baseball Reference:[1]

RankPlayerYearTeamInnings pitched
1Ed Walsh1908Chicago White Sox464
2Jack Chesbro1904New York Highlanders​454 2⁄3
3Joe McGinnity1903New York Giants434
4Ed Walsh1907Chicago White Sox​422 1⁄3
5Vic Willis1902Boston Beaneaters410
6Joe McGinnity1904New York Giants408
7Ed Walsh1912Chicago White Sox393
8Dave Davenport1915St. Louis Terriers​392 2⁄3
9Christy Mathewson1908New York Giants​390 2⁄3
10Jack Powell1904New York Highlanders​390 1⁄3

References
  1. "Pitching Season Finder (Single seasons, IP>=390)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
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