Baseball has a language all its own, and for many fans, it can be hard to keep track of all the different abbreviations and acronyms. One of the most common terms heard in baseball is “SU.” So, what does SU mean in baseball?
SU stands for “save,” which is a statistic that is used to measure the success of a relief pitcher. A save is recorded when a relief pitcher enters a game, with his team leading by three or fewer runs, and pitches until the end of the game, or until the tying run is placed on base. The relief pitcher must also be the pitcher that is credited with the win.
History of the Save Statistic
The save statistic was first introduced in the 1960s by sports writer Jerome Holtzman. Holtzman wanted to recognize the effectiveness of relief pitchers and give them more credit for their contributions to the team. The statistic quickly gained traction and is now widely used by baseball analysts and statisticians.
How a Save is Recorded
In order for a save to be recorded, a relief pitcher must enter a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs. The relief pitcher must then pitch until the end of the game, or until the tying run is placed on base. The relief pitcher must also be the pitcher that is credited with the win for the save to be recorded.
Types of Saves
There are four types of saves that are used in baseball. These are:
1. Traditional Save: This is the most common type of save and is recorded when a relief pitcher enters a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs and pitches until the end of the game, or until the tying run is placed on base.
2. Blown Save: This occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs but fails to finish the game, resulting in his team not winning the game.
3. Hold: This is recorded when a relief pitcher enters a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs and pitches for at least one inning but does not finish the game.
4. Win: This is recorded when a relief pitcher enters a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs, pitches for at least one inning, and is credited with the win.
How Statistical Analysis Uses Saves
Statistics are used to measure the effectiveness of relief pitchers, and saves are a key component of this analysis. Analysts look at the number of saves a relief pitcher has recorded over the course of the season, as well as the percentage of games that the pitcher has successfully saved. They also look at how often a relief pitcher is called upon to record a save in a game.
Conclusion
In baseball, SU stands for “save.” This is a statistic that is used to measure the success of a relief pitcher. A save is recorded when a relief pitcher enters a game with his team leading by three or fewer runs and pitches until the end of the game, or until the tying run is placed on base. Analysts use saves to measure the effectiveness of relief pitchers and to evaluate their performance.