Synopsis
Baseball is in a constant state of flux and change. Whether the developments are as obvious as the advent of the designated hitter or as subtle as the time limit between pitches, changes continue to occur that shape and reshape America's Pastime. One of the most discernable changes has been the specialization of the pitching staff. There was a time when the typical relief pitcher was either a washed-up veteran trying to hold on, an underachieving starter sent to bullpen Siberia by the manager, or a pitcher with good stuff but without the mojo to pitch deep into games. How things have changed. Fireman will bridge the gap between those days and today's game by reviewing the history of relief pitching and examining the influence and changes in the game that have brought bullpens to their present state. Using statistics, tend analysis, and interviews with front-office personnel, managers, coaches, and pitchers past and present, author Fran Zimniuch delves into the changing nature of the bullpen in baseball and how the current, specialized role of the closer came into being.