Game Finished (GF)
From SABR Encyclopedia
In baseball statistics, Game Finished or GF is a count of how many times a pitcher was his team's pitcher at the end of the game. If only one pitcher is used during the game, that pitcher is given a complete game (CG) and no GF is given. GF is an official MLB statistic and is found in rule 10.02(d)(3) of the 2009 Official Rules[1]. The sum of a team's GFs and CGs must equal the teams games started (GS).
The starting pitcher MAY earn a GF--to do so, he must start the game, then take the position of another player while a reliever pitches, and then move back to pitcher after the last reliever pitches and pitch throiugh the end of the game. For instance, in 1970 Sam McDowell pitched in 39 games. Sam had 39 GS, 19 CG, and 2 GF. On July 6 in Cleveland, Sam faced Washington's Frank Howard in the 8th inning with a 2-run lead and runners on second and third and two out. McDowell moved to 2B, secondbaseman Leon moved to 3B, and thirdbaseman Nettles was replaced by P Dean Chance. Chance intentionally walked Howard and retired Rick Reichardt to end the 8th. When the Indians took the field in the ninth inning, McDowell was back on the mound and Larry Brown batting in Chance's slot was at 2B. McDowell pitched a scoreless ninth and thus earned a GF. The box and play-by-play are available from www.retrosheet.org [2]. In Washington on September 2, McDowell moved to 1B when relieved by Chance and later returned to the mound, finished the game and got his second GF of the season.[3].
Footnotes
- ↑ Official Rules of Major League Baseball, rule 10.02(d).
- ↑ http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1970/B07060CLE1970.htm, retrieved on 2009-10-24.
- ↑ http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1970/B09020WS21970.htm, retrieved on 2009-10-24.
