Why Three Runs Is the Maximum Lead for a Pitcher to Get a Save in Baseball

The concept of "save" in baseball was formalized in 1969 but it went through several iterations before becoming the widely recognized statistic it is today. A save is awarded to a relief pitcher if they meet specific criteria: the pitcher was not the winning pitcher, finished the game, and that they either threw three innings, came into the game with a lead of three or fewer runs, or entered with the potential tying run on deck at bat or on base.

Evolution of the Save Stat

The idea of a save first emerged in the early 1900s, evolving during discussions in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This term has its roots with Chicago sportswriter Jerome Holtzman, who initially shaped the first parameters for the save in 1959.

One notable figure, Pittsburgh’s Roy Face, had a remarkable 18–1 season in 57 games, starting none. Despite his stellar record, Face blew a total of nine saves and wins in 93 innings, showing the inconsistency in relief pitchers who often could not hold leads. Face's performance was celebrated by managers and media, but not by Holtzman. Recognizing the inconsistency, Holtzman proposed guidelines for the save parameter, which would later be refined and formalized.

The Logic Behind the Three-Run Limit

The three-run limit is not arbitrary. The thinking is that if a pitcher comes into the game and allows more than three runs in an inning or work, they should not be credited with a positive stat. This ensures that saves are awarded only to pitchers who demonstrate exceptional control and clutch performance.

Practical Application in Historical Context

In the context of the 1960s and early 1970s, relief pitchers had a significant impact due to the way the game was structured. For instance, Roy Face had a 2.7 ERA, but the entire National League had an ERA of 3.95. This means that starters who pitched deep into games and relief pitchers who simply hung on managed to keep the cumulative team ERA under 4. Key Pirate teammates like Vern Law and Harvey Haddix would often throw over 200 innings with ERAs under 3.

This historical context and the practical application of the save criteria demonstrate that the three-run limit is essential in maintaining the integrity of this relatively new but highly recognized statistic in baseball.

Understanding these nuances can help fans, analysts, and even SEO experts for sports-related websites grasp the reasoning behind the save parameter and how it has evolved over time.