A "pitcher" of efficiency

CINCINNATI, OHIO - Boston Braves (today's Atlanta Braves) starting pitcher Red Barrett set two significant records on this date in 1944. According to Baseball-Almanac, Barrett shutout the Cincinnati Reds in just one hour and fifteen minutes. Not surprisingly, he needed just 58 pitches to do it. It remains the shortest night game ever played, and the fewest pitches in a complete game win day or night.

Barrett gave up just two hits and walked none in the 2-0 win. He also didn't strike out anyone, which kept his pitch count low. The pitches would have added up had hitters gone far enough in the count to strike out.

Red Barrett had a remarkable year in 1945, but his 11-year career was otherwise undistinguished as far as major league standards go. He finished with 69 wins and 69 losses for three different teams (two stints with the Boston Braves). His best year was 1945 when he went 23-12 for the Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals.

CONTRIBUTING SOURCE:
August 10, 1944 - BASEBALL-ALMANAC
The Associated Press (AP), Cincinnati, Ohio, August 11, 1944

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