From some crazy reason I was checking out one of my favorite non-Cubs teams of all time, the 1979 Pirates. It might have been because I had to check out Burt Blyleven’s numbers for that season. I noted that two relievers, Kent Tekulve (134.1) and Enrique Romo(129.1) exceeded 125 innings in relief. Grant Jackson only accounted for 82 innings and almost to honk off HOF’er Tony LaRussa, each of them averaged more than an inning per appearance.

Given the heavy workload of these three relievers, one might be surprised to note the Pirates starters completed 24 games that year. Last season, Derek Law of the Nationals led all relievers with 90 innings pitched. There were only 28 complete games in all of baseball last year.

I’ll take the We are Family Pirates for 400 Alex!