The Evolution of Pitcher Usage, Part 3

Firpo Marberry was the first great relief pitcher.

In the top of the sixth inning of game seven of the 1924 World Series, the New York Giants were trailing the Washington Senators by a score of 1-0. After the first two Giants batters reached base, Senators player-manager Bucky Harris brought Firpo Marberry, a 25-year-old who had just completed his second year in the big leagues, to get the Senators out …