Posted by MikeT23 on 12/11/2017 2:09:00 PM (view original):
FWIW, we're just arguing to argue and I got bored a lot quicker than I thought.
Getting on base/preventing baserunners are the keys to baseball. I don't know if you agree but I know you love the walk. And the walk has little value beyond getting on base because he no longer controls his destiny. Much like NOT letting a runner get on removes him from controlling his destiny.
This really isn't that difficult. A hitter can only control his PA. He can make an out or not make an out but, other than a HR, whether or not he scores isn't really up to him.
For a pitcher, whether or not base runners score is, largely, up to them. It doesn't really matter how often Hunter allowed base runners if he still allowed runs at a league average rate. Having a low WHIP didn't help him...well, it probably helped him not allow runs at a worse than average rate...but whatever. Guys who were just mediocre at run prevention aren't Hall of Fame quality pitchers.