How does this work?
 

I just watched the last couple of innings of the Dodgers/Rockies game, which LA won 7-2 after staging a rally against the Rockies bullpen. Then I took a look at the boxscore, and this confused me:

M Myers (L, 1-3; H, 13): 0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

M Myers pitched to 1 batter in the 9th

Now, admittedly, Jay Powell came on and gave up a 3-run homer to Paul LoDuca which scored Myers's run, but how does he get a hold and the loss? :confuse2:

Some say a Hold is credited any time a relief pitcher enters a game in a Save Situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game never having relinquished the lead.

It's the worst stat kept, IMHO.

If Myers didn't get anyone out, I don't know why he got a hold?

I've also seen this definition of a Hold:

Hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who preserves the lead by not allowing any runs (earned or unearned) and passes it on to another pitcher for a save opportunity.

Still, Myers gave up a run. Go figure? And, blame USA Today. They came up with it.

The defintion of hold varies. Some sources require the pitcher to record an out to get a hold, others don't.

I've never seen the requirement that it still be a save situation. I've only seen the requirement that the lead still be intact. So, maybe that's just another variation.

Myers would get a hold, under those definitions that don't require the pitcher to record an out, since at the time he left the game, the Rockies had the lead.

I agree hold is the worst stat in the world.

It sucks - no fighting it. Anyone have a better suggestion for a MR stat?

Inherited runs allowed.

The hold could be fine, they just need to redefine it, so that Mike Meyers doesn't get a hold for getting 0 outs and losing a game.

Even that is unequal, at least to me.

Pitcher A comes in with a runner on 3rd with one out. He gets a fly ball to short RF and the speedy runner scores on a close SF. Then he strikes out the next guy.

Pitcher B comes in with 2 outs and a runner on 1st. He gives up a bomb to dead center, 475 ft., for a 2 run HR.

Both are 1-1 in IRA - but, one did the best job he could - and the other totally sucked.

Or, the reverse, A and B come enter the game in the same situations above and both get out of it w/o giving up a run. Both are 0-1 in IRA - - but, A had to work much harder for it.

First, the Hold is not the worst stat. The GWRBI is.

Second, every year, either the STATS or Elias guys figure out situational run expectations. There are 24 possible situations in baseball: Bases empty; runner on first, second, or third; runners on 1/2, 1/3, 2/3; and bases loaded; with 0, 1, or 2 outs. Each year, they figure out run expectations for each situation, e.g., 2.34 runs for the bases loaded and no outs, 0.17 for bases empty and 1 out. (I made those up.) So when a pitcher comes into a game, you can figure out Runs Prevented = Runs Expected - Runs Allowed.
Example: Say the run expectation for the bases loaded with no outs is 2.34, and for the bases empty and one out it's 0.17. Say that Mike Stanton comes into a game with no outs bases loaded and strikes out the side. He gets 2.34 - 0 = 2.34 runs prevented. Now, say Turk Wendell enters a game with the bases empty and one out and he gives up a single, a homer, and a walk before getting pulled. He gets 0.17 - 2 = -1.83 runs prevented. (He should also probably get another 0.17 allowed for the guy he left on base). Whoever has the most runs prevented wins.

BTW, this same logic could be used for RBI. RBIs/expected RBIs would be an interesting percentage.

GWRBI? That's long gone dude.
Agreed RBI% would be a great stat.

You know what? I could make a case that the save is as bad a stat if not worse. It's not all that clear what it measures, and it has screwed up strategy so that managers play to the stat, resulting in this phony class of "closers" who not only mess up the pitching staff (have to set up the closer) but also the payroll. Consider:
Reliever A 59 IP, 77 K, 1.37 ERA, 0.79 WHIP
Reliever B 59 IP, 56 K, 3.38 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
Which is more effective? A, clearly. Which one makes more money? Here's a clue: A has 3 saves. B has 41. Why should B make $5.07 million and A make $3.25 million? Why should B get all the save opportunities? Answer: Because of the save rule. B has been designated the "closer," so he gets all the save opportunities. Does that make any sense? No.

PS - A is Arthur Rhodes, B is Kaz Sasaki.

Baseballprospectus.com publishes the stats for relievers using this method.

I completely agree with you.

Good point. Should we just start using OPS as an umbrella figure for both pitchers and hitters?

It wouldn't be the worst thing to do. ;)
Rob - agreed on Saves - - even the roto-heads are catching on, subbing something else for the saves cat in some leagues.