Paul Skenes

But for most of the sports history, they represented a peak expression of individual achievement on the mound. They weren't quite sacrosanct, but pulling a starter when he hadn't allowed a hit was sure to produce headlines and no small amount of animosity in the clubhouse.

But for most of the sports history, they represented a peak expression of individual achievement on the mound. They weren't quite sacrosanct, but pulling a starter when he hadn't allowed a hit was sure to produce headlines and no small amount of animosity in the clubhouse.

Now, here was Skeens, the most heralded young pitcher in years, three innings away from throwing a no-hitter in his second start. It felt like an opening salvo by a future Hall of Famer. Instead, he watched from the dugout as Majinsky allowed a single to the third batter he faced, a short fly to left field, and all the drama of the day was gone.

Now, here was Skeens, the most heralded young pitcher in years, three innings away from throwing a no-hitter in his second start. It felt like an opening salvo by a future Hall of Famer. Instead, he watched from the dugout as Majinsky allowed a single to the third batter he faced, a short fly to left field, and all the drama of the day was gone.

When I asked Skeens about that, he noted that in his first start the week before, he had been removed after 84 pitches. The fact that they let me go 100 in Chicago, he told me recently at the Pirates' spring training base in Bradenton, Florida, was even more than they were planning on. And no hitter or not, 100 pitches is pretty much the most anyone gets to throw these days.

When I asked Skeens about that, he noted that in his first start the week before, he had been removed after 84 pitches. The fact that they let me go 100 in Chicago, he told me recently at the Pirates' spring training base in Bradenton, Florida, was even more than they were planning on. And no hitter or not, 100 pitches is pretty much the most anyone gets to throw these days.

Over the past two decades, analysts have identified a treasure trove of competitive advantages for teams willing to question baseball's established practices. Eventually, that meant every team. Sacrifice bunts, for example, squander the game's signature currency, outs.

Over the past two decades, analysts have identified a treasure trove of competitive advantages for teams willing to question baseball's established practices. Eventually, that meant every team. Sacrifice bunts, for example, squander the game's signature currency, outs.

Though spending an out increases the chance of scoring a run, it makes the kind of big inning on which games often turn far less likely. But perhaps the most significant of competitive advantages was hidden in plain sight at the center of the diamond. Starting pitchers were traditionally taught to conserve strength so they could last deep into games.

Though spending an out increases the chance of scoring a run, it makes the kind of big inning on which games often turn far less likely. But perhaps the most significant of competitive advantages was hidden in plain sight at the center of the diamond. Starting pitchers were traditionally taught to conserve strength so they could last deep into games.

Throwing 300 innings in a season was once commonplace. In 1969 alone, nine pitchers did it. But at some definable point in each game, the data came to reveal, a relief pitcher becomes a more effective option than the starter, even if that starter is Sandy Koufax or Tom Seaver or Paul Skeens.

Throwing 300 innings in a season was once commonplace. In 1969 alone, nine pitchers did it. But at some definable point in each game, the data came to reveal, a relief pitcher becomes a more effective option than the starter, even if that starter is Sandy Koufax or Tom Seaver or Paul Skeens.

That moment usually comes in the sixth or seventh inning, once hitters have had several opportunities to size up the pitches that the starter is throwing. Waiting in the bullpen these days are a cadre of specialists with fresh, powerful arms. They all throw 100 with a wipeout slider, the Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Simeon told me. With a laugh, he added, I'll take the starter.

That moment usually comes in the sixth or seventh inning, once hitters have had several opportunities to size up the pitches that the starter is throwing. Waiting in the bullpen these days are a cadre of specialists with fresh, powerful arms. They all throw 100 with a wipeout slider, the Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Simeon told me. With a laugh, he added, I'll take the starter.

Late in the game, Simeon seldom gets the opportunity. This has become a problem for Major League Baseball, which needs all the stars it can find. In 1968, Bob Gibson started 34 games for the St. Louis Cardinals and finished 28 of them. In the process, he became a national celebrity. Last season, no pitcher managed more than two complete games.

Late in the game, Simeon seldom gets the opportunity. This has become a problem for Major League Baseball, which needs all the stars it can find. In 1968, Bob Gibson started 34 games for the St. Louis Cardinals and finished 28 of them. In the process, he became a national celebrity. Last season, no pitcher managed more than two complete games.

Six times pitchers were pulled from games after the seventh inning when they had no hitters underway. It even happened to Skeens again later in the year after seven innings at a July 11th game in Milwaukee.

Six times pitchers were pulled from games after the seventh inning when they had no hitters underway. It even happened to Skeens again later in the year after seven innings at a July 11th game in Milwaukee.

The drama of a pitcher's attempting to complete a no-hitter, battling not just fatigue but luck, a bloop off the end of the bat can break up a no-hitter just as easily as a line drive, remains one of the game's greatest pleasures.

The drama of a pitcher's attempting to complete a no-hitter, battling not just fatigue but luck, a bloop off the end of the bat can break up a no-hitter just as easily as a line drive, remains one of the game's greatest pleasures.