Who Has The Most Starts As A Battery In Major League Baseball?
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada. As such, it is no surprise that it has some of the most talented players in the world, including many who have gone on to become household names. One of the most important positions in baseball is the battery, which consists of the pitcher and catcher. In this article, we will take a look at who has made the most starts as a battery in MLB history.
The Battery: Pitcher and Catcher
The battery is one of the most important aspects of baseball. The pitcher and catcher form a partnership that is crucial to the success of the team. The pitcher is responsible for throwing the ball to the catcher, while the catcher is responsible for receiving it and then throwing it back to the pitcher or another infielder. The pitcher and catcher must work together to effectively move the game forward.
The All-Time Leaders
When it comes to the most starts as a battery in MLB history, the all-time leaders are Jim Kaat and Bob Boone. This duo is the only battery to have started more than 500 games together. Kaat and Boone started together 514 times from 1976 to 1983 and won two World Series titles during that time.
Other notable batteries that have made a lot of starts together include Greg Maddux and Eddie Perez (310 starts), Mike Mussina and Jorge Posada (303 starts), and Steve Carlton and Bob Boone (287 starts).
The Modern-Day Leaders
While Kaat and Boone hold the all-time record, the modern-day leaders in starts as a battery are Clayton Kershaw and A.J. Ellis. This battery has made 231 starts together since they began playing together in 2011. Kershaw and Ellis have been a dominant force in the league and have been a key part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ success in recent years.
Other notable batteries that have made a lot of starts in the modern era include Justin Verlander and Alex Avila (174 starts), Felix Hernandez and Miguel Olivo (167 starts), and Jake Arrieta and Miguel Montero (163 starts).
The Future of Battery Partnerships
With the game constantly evolving, it is difficult to predict who will be the next great battery in MLB. However, there are a few pairs of pitchers and catchers who may be poised to make a lot of starts together in the future.
One of the most promising battery partnerships is the one between Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud of the New York Mets. This duo has already made 97 starts together and has the potential to be the next great battery in MLB. Another duo to watch is Corey Kluber and Yan Gomes of the Cleveland Indians. Kluber and Gomes have made 79 starts together and could soon become one of the most dominant batteries in the league.
Conclusion
Jim Kaat and Bob Boone currently hold the record for most starts as a battery in MLB history, with 514 starts together from 1976 to 1983. However, there are a few battery duos in the modern era who have made a lot of starts together, including Clayton Kershaw and A.J. Ellis (231 starts) and Justin Verlander and Alex Avila (174 starts).
Looking to the future, some of the most promising battery partnerships include Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud of the New York Mets and Corey Kluber and Yan Gomes of the Cleveland Indians. Both duos have made a lot of starts together already and could soon become the next great battery in MLB.
Key Takeaways
- Jim Kaat and Bob Boone have made the most starts as a battery in MLB history, with 514 starts together from 1976 to 1983.
- Clayton Kershaw and A.J. Ellis have made the most starts as a battery in the modern era, with 231 starts together since 2011.
- Some of the most promising battery partnerships for the future include Noah Syndergaard and Travis d’Arnaud of the New York Mets and Corey Kluber and Yan Gomes of the Cleveland Indians.