60ft6in – Pitcher Scouting Reports

Does the so-called “best pitcher (162 wins) of the 1980′s” belong in the Hall of Fame?

Jack Morris is most remembered for his 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves.  The mustachioed right-hander anchored the 1984 Detroit Tigers, 1991 Minnesota Twins, and 1992 Toronto Blue Jays to baseball immortality.

However, those merits alone are not worthy of enshrinement into Cooperstown.  Let’s take a closer look at his regular season numbers.

Jack Morris, showing a splitter grip, his signature pitch.

Prior to the past decade, members of the baseball community would cite the 254 career wins, 175 complete games, and nearly 4000 innings pitched as lock down HOF credentials.  However, a closer examination would suggest that Morris was simply a durable “innings-eater” that gave his team a chance to win games.

The peripheral numbers suggest Morris was an average MLB pitcher posting a career 1.30 WHIP, 1.78 SO/BB 3.3 BB/9, 5.8 SO/9, 105 ERA+, 39.3 WAR (148th ranked pitcher)

Incidentally, the St. Paul native posted a 7-4 record, 3.80 ERA, 1.24 WHIP over 92.33 IP in his post-season career.  Basically, Morris was the same pitcher overall but everyone remembers Game 7.

The Factor12 Rating further scrutinizes the data.  Here are Jack Morris’ yearly rankings against every pitching season in the 1980s.

Morris’ average 1980s F12 season was 26.332, or slightly above average (24.000).  Meanwhile, the right-hander produced just one season that ranked in the Top 100.  In conclusion, Jack Morris was a very good pitcher who passed the eye-test for HOF induction but failed the F12 Rating test and other advanced statistical measures.

Thanks for Game 7 in 1991, Jack.  Unfortunately, you still need to buy a ticket to the hallowed grounds.