Calling Bill James a statistician is like calling this web site just another tribute page!

Based on the formula, a 100 is tough to achieve in nine innings without tossing a no-hitter. You'll "gross" an 87 just for a complete game. After that, you need to offset your hits, walks, and any runs with a LOT of strikeouts. Kerry Wood's game was about as good as it gets based on the formula for a guy that doesn't toss a no-hitter.

Did Bill James actually calculate some of the better performances that weren't no-hitters? I wonder if there's a Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, or Bob Gibson complete game (but not a no-hitter) that scores around 100. Historically, they pitched complete games with a lot of strikeouts, few walks, and had low ERA's, and they all have a bunch of games with 15 or more strikeouts.

I looked at the box scores for some of the extraordinary complete game extra inning performances. The Harvey Haddix game...the 12 inning "perfect game" that he lost in the 13th. I came up with a 105. And Tom Cheney's 16 inning, 21 strikeout performance in 1962 garners a 115!

I know, I know...too much information! Sorry to be so long-winded and late to the party with this post...but I'm new to the board, and just getting up to speed on the topics of interest!

tony b.