Are we headed for another 1968 like pitching year soon in MLB?

[Angel Oracle]

Given how marked the downturn in offense has been in MLB (not one MLB team scored at least 800 runs), are we on the road to another legendary pitching type year similar to 1968 not too far into the future?

[Taylor]

Could you provide a little context for what happened in 1968?

[hats4bats]

Dinosaurs roamed the earth and the 7th inning stretch was used to clean up pterodactyl waste that gathered on the field.

[Angel Oracle]

1968 was the greatest pitching season since the dead ball era in the 1910s. 

The A'ths led the AL with a measly .240 BA.

Carl Yastremski led the AL with a measly .301 BA.

The Reds led MLB with just 690 runs.   The Tigers led the AL with just 671 runs. 

Bob Gibson had a 1.12 ERA, the lowest since iirc the 1900s.

13 of the 20 MLB teams had a sub 3.00 ERA.

 

The next season saw the mound lowered, 4 new MLB teams (Pilots/Brewers, Royals, Padres, and Expos), and an offense revival.

ELEVEN teams scored more runs than the MLB leader scored the year before. 

Only THREE teams out of 24 teams had a sub 3.00 ERA.  

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1968.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1969.shtml

Edited October 17, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[Stradling]

I guessed the OP, but that was an easy one.

[Angel Oracle]

The irony is that despite the offense downturn, games are longer than ever in time duration. 

 

Even just 5 years ago, the MLB leader in runs scored 915 runs and TWELVE teams equaled or scored more runs than the MLB leader scored in 2014 (Halos with 773). 

Edited October 17, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[Ohtaniland]

We won 67 games in 1968.

[yk9001]

That was so long ago, Tarkanian wasn't even at Long Beach State yet.

[Ohtaniland]

The irony is that despite the offense downturn, games are longer than ever in time duration.

Even just 5 years ago, the MLB leader in runs scored 915 runs and TWELVE teams equaled or scored more runs than the MLB leader scored in 2014 (Halos with 773).

5 years ago the last of the juicers were wrapping things up. 2009 was like the final warning shot to the players union. "Sorry guys, it was fun while it lasted and we made tons of money but now we have to stop".

[yk9001]

I am pretty sure a lot of the attribution for lower scoring is the quest tec/enlarged lower strike zone.

[Angel Oracle]

That was so long ago, Tarkanian wasn't even at Long Beach State yet.

Technically, as his first LB game although in late 1968 didn't come until after the 1968 MLB season ended . 

[Guest]

I am pretty sure a lot of the attribution for lower scoring is the quest tec/enlarged lower strike zone.

uniform enforcement of the strike zone (particularly no more generous inside/outside calls given to veteran pitchers) without bring back more offense without needing to mess around with mound heights or rule changes. 

[ELEVEN]

1968 was the greatest pitching season since the dead ball era in the 1910s.

The A'ths led the AL with a measly .240 BA.

Carl Yastremski led the AL with a measly .301 BA.

The Reds led MLB with just 690 runs. The Tigers led the AL with just 671 runs.

Bob Gibson had a 1.12 ERA, the lowest since iirc the 1900s.

13 of the 20 MLB teams had a sub 3.00 ERA.

The next season saw the mound lowered, 4 new MLB teams (Pilots/Brewers, Royals, Padres, and Expos), and an offense revival.

ELEVEN teams scored more runs than the MLB leader scored the year before.

Only THREE teams out of 24 teams had a sub 3.00 ERA.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1968.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1969.shtml

mmph,,, *snort* huh?

[shellback]

with whats qualified for the world series, it looks like next years model may be giving up outs, pitching,defense and manufacturing runs.

god, i hope not.

[Broad Street]

Can we bring back steroids please? Could you imagine Trout on roids? Jesus, just the thought scares me.

[Stradling]

If you'd like steroids back I suggest you just go watch slow pitch softball.

Baseball isn't better with steroids, although I did like player longevity. It's artificial and goes against the history of the game.

[Angel Oracle]

I personally prefer a balance of good pitching, good defense, and timely hitting with just enough power hitting mixed in.

An ideal game for me would be a 4-3 or 5-4 game that lasted about 2:45 in duration.

I'm not adverse to the 1-0 or 2-1 game, just don't want them being a regular thing, like in 1968.

Edited October 18, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[shellback]

track meets and tactical decision making are boring, imo

[Splint7438]

1968 was Alberts first year of little league

[Ohtaniland]

If you'd like steroids back I suggest you just go watch slow pitch softball.

Baseball isn't better with steroids, although I did like player longevity. It's artificial and goes against the history of the game.

I miss 2002 if that's what you're asking.

[Stradling]

track meets and tactical decision making are boring, imo

Then how do you like baseball? Do you only prefer home runs? I'm not judging I just don't get it.

[stormngt]

I think he arrived in 68. But I was only 5 then.

That was so long ago, Tarkanian wasn't even at Long Beach State yet.