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Pitcher Perfect?
2007-08-22 21:48
by Mike Carminati

Jeff Cirillo, a veteran of fourteen major-league seasons with six different teams and a third baseman in 1394 games, made his major-league pitching debut the other day in the 9-0 drubbing of the D-Backs at the hands of Cirillo's former team of many years, the Brewers. Jeff came in to finish off the game pitching one no-hit inning with a strikeout and two walks—alas, he was not perfect.

He became the 966th player to record a 0.00 ERA in a season. That is, if he and the other twenty "pitchers" who have yet to allow a run in 2007 can keep it up for the rest of the year. It should not be so difficult for Cirillo since he isn't for his next appearance until 2021.

Cirillo is one of six position players who have a 0.00 ERA as a pitcher this year:

PLAYERTEAMPOSGPGSIPHERBBSOERA
Jason WoodFlorida Marlins1B10100000.00
Aaron MilesSt. Louis Cardinals2B10100000.00
Josh WilsonTampa Bay Devil Rays2B10110100.00
Jeff CirilloArizona Diamondbacks3B10100210.00
Scott SpiezioSt. Louis Cardinals3B10100100.00
Augie OjedaArizona DiamondbacksSS10100000.00

Just Ojeda, Wood, and Miles have been perfect in their one-inning as a pitcher. Actual pitchers Jon Adkins and Clay Rapada are perfect in the one inning each that they have pitched this year as well.

There have been 49 perfect seasons by a position player masquerading as a pitcher. The last came when Trent Durrington and Abraham Nunez both pitched a perfect third of an inning in 2004. Outfielder Bloody Jake Evans pitched the most perfect innings in a season by a position player when he threw three innings of mop-up duty for the Cleveland Blues in 1883. It was his third and final appearance as a pitcher.

Here are the position players who threw the most innings while remaining perfect in a season:

PlayerYrTeamPOSGGSGFIPHERSOBBHBPH + BB + HBPERA
Jake Evans1883Cleveland BluesOF1013.0 0010 NA00.00
Willie Smith1968Chicago CubsOF1012.7 0020000.00
Eddie Carnett1945Cleveland IndiansOF2022.0 0010000.00
Ben Dyer1918Detroit TigersOF2021.7 0000000.00
Garry Hancock1984Oakland AthleticsOF1011.3 0000000.00
D'Angelo Jimenez2002San Diego Padres2B1011.3 0000000.00

As for the most innings pitched in a no-hit season for a major-league pitcher, look no further than Bumpus Jones. He threw a no-hitter on the final day of the season for the 1892 Reds, and then registered two straight seasons with over 10.00 ERAs before disappearing into obscurity.

But before you say, "I didn't know Buddy Ebsen was a pitcher," consider that his four walks eliminate him from the list of 76 pitchers who threw perfect seasons. Here are the most innings pitched in a perfect season:

PlayerYrTeamPOSGGSGFIPHERSOBBHBPH + BB + HBPERA
Al Braithwood1915Pittsburgh RebelsP2013.0 0020000.00
Mule Watson1920Boston BravesP1013.0 0000000.00
Ed Taylor1903St. Louis CardinalsP1013.0 0010000.00
Cliff Ross1954Cincinnati RedlegsP4032.7 0010000.00
Horacio Pina1978Philadelphia PhilliesP2002.3 0040000.00

Finally, as for perfect pitching careers, there have been 49 but just nine that consisted of over one inning of work, and here they are:

PlayerPOSYrsFirstLastWLGIPERHBBSOHBPH + BB + HBP
Al BraithwoodP1191519150023.0 000200
Ed TaylorP1190319030013.0 000100
Cliff RossP1195419540042.7 000100
Tom DoughertyP1190419041012.0 000000
Roger SlagleP1197919790012.0 000200
Lou VedderP1192019200012.0 000100
Ben Dyer3B1191819180021.7 000000
Garry HancockOF1198419840011.3 000000
D'Angelo Jimenez2B1200220020011.3 000000
Comments
2007-08-22 22:35:02
1.   snydes
How about Mark Whiten? On July 31, 1998, with the Indians down by 9 runs to the A's, Whiten got called on to pitch. He gave up a double, hit a batter, walked two, surrendered a run, but also struck out three. He's the only player in major league history to pitch at least one inning and record every out with a strikeout.

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