What is a Shutout in Baseball

A shutout is a special type of game in baseball where the losing team does not score a single run. Imagine the opponent trying hard to get hits and make their way to score, but they’re blocked at every step. When a pitcher manages this, we call it a shutout, and it’s recorded as a statistic that baseball fans and analysts respect greatly. The shutout itself is often described in detail; for example, if the losing team managed to get only two hits, we’d call it a “two-hit shutout.” In the scorebook, shutouts are abbreviated as ShO or SO, which is unique because these terms also stand for strikeout.

The first use of the term goes way back to 1879, when the Twinklers were thrilled over their shutout of the Grays in a ninth contest reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer on August 22. This type of game is rare and can bring a great sense of satisfaction to the pitcher and his team. Not everyone gets to witness or play in a shutout, making it a special event for players and fans alike. Just like an exciting Oscar competition brings together stars, a shutout has its charm in the baseball world.

For a starting pitcher to earn credit for a shutout, he must pitch the entire game and not allow the opposition to score even once. In essence, this means every out in the game is on him, and he holds the game from start to finish. If the starting pitcher is removed early, he won’t be credited with the shutout, but if his relievers also do not allow any runs, then the team gets the credit for a shutout. There are rare instances where a pitcher can still achieve a shutout even if he enters the game in relief, but MLB rule 9.18 specifies strict guidelines for this.

The lifetime leader in shutouts is Walter Johnson, who pitched a record 110 shutouts with the Washington Senators. Johnson’s achievements set a benchmark for what a pitcher can do on the mound, especially in a sport where the goal is to prevent the opponent from scoring. This act of keeping the opponent out entirely, or “excluding” them from the score, is a state of being “excluded” from victory—a tough spot for any losing team. Many pitchers dream of achieving what Johnson did, but his record stands strong, showcasing just how difficult a shutout is to accomplish.

A shutout requires determination and skill, especially in cases where the game could go into extra innings. The pitcher must continue pitching without giving up a run to keep the shutout. For example, if a game is shortened by rain but the pitcher allows no runs through the entire contest, he is still credited with a shutout. This rule brings excitement because weather and other unexpected situations can influence the outcome, and it adds a twist to how complete games are recorded in official pitching records.

The sense of triumph in a shutout can be thrilling. Imagine watching a pitcher who’s in perfect control, every pitch precisely placed, each out carefully recorded to prevent any chance for the opponent. Just as Jim Carrey might feel the sting of a shut-out from Oscar competition, the opposing team in a shutout game feels that frustration as they are held back time and again from scoring.

Major League Baseball Shutout Rules and Records

In Major League Baseball, a shutout is a notable achievement denoted statistically as ShO or SHO. It occurs when a single pitcher successfully pitches a complete game without allowing the opposing team to score a single run. If two pitchers combine their efforts to complete the act, then the team is awarded a shutout, but neither pitcher individually receives credit for the shutout. This achievement is one of the highest in baseball, and the ability to “shut out” an opponent entirely is seen as an ultimate achievement for pitchers.

For many fans and players, the perfect game is the pinnacle of pitching, an even rarer accomplishment. As of now, it has only been accomplished 24 times in the history of baseball over 135 years. The most recent was by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees on June 28, 2023. There was a slight rule change by MLB in 2020, which revised the definition of a shutout. Previously, a perfect game also counted as a shutout, but now, these are distinctly recorded.

When we consider career records, Walter Johnson stands as the all-time career leader in shutouts. Pitching for the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927, Johnson accumulated 110 shutouts, which is 20 more than the second-place record held by Pete Alexander. The record for shutouts in a single season is held by George Bradley in 1876 and Pete Alexander in 1916, each with 16 shutouts in a single season. These records remain secure, as modern-day pitchers rarely earn more than one or two shutouts per season due to the heavy emphasis on pitch count and relief pitching.

In Major League Baseball today, it’s a challenge for starting pitchers to reach a complete game because of the strategy around relief pitchers. With pitch counts closely monitored, complete games are becoming increasingly rare, making shutouts even more difficult to achieve.
To learn more about what constitutes a hit, explore our article on what counts as a hit in baseball.

What Defines a Shutout in Baseball?

A shutout in Major League Baseball is a rare and remarkable feat. Defined by rule 10.18, a shutout occurs when a pitcher gives up no runs throughout an entire game. To be credited with a shutout, the pitcher must complete the game alone, pitching every inning and preventing the opposing team from scoring any runs. When this happens, the shutout is officially recorded in pitching records as a statistic. These statistics use the abbreviations ShO or SHO to represent a shutout, separate from the strikeout mark, SO.

The first official shutout on record in the National League is attributed to Jim Creighton of the Excelsior of Brooklyn, who pitched it on November 8, 1860. Throughout baseball history, elite pitchers have aimed to achieve this status. In 1876, the inaugural season, George Bradley set an impressive record with 16 shutouts in a season. Pete Alexander matched this milestone in 1916, and Walter Johnson became the all-time leader in career shutouts with 110 between 1907 and 1927—a record few have come close to.

With the evolution of the live-ball era, the structure of the game shifted. As power hitting grew and relief pitchers became more common, complete games and shutouts have dramatically declined. In today’s game, starting pitchers rarely play the entire game due to pitch counts and relief pitching strategies. In only a few exceptional seasons do pitchers now achieve multiple shutouts. Jim Palmer achieved 10 shutouts in 1975 in the American League, while John Tudor matched that record in 1985 in the National League.

Some of the most memorable moments in shutout history include Don Drysdale’s six consecutive shutouts for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968. His 58+2⁄3 innings scoreless streak was later surpassed by Orel Hershiser’s 59 consecutive innings in 1988. Other notable records include Ed Reulbach of the Chicago Cubs pitching two shutouts in a doubleheader on September 26, 1908, and Red Barrett’s record for the fewest pitches in a nine-inning shutout with only 58 pitches in 1944.

Unique Shutout Situations in Baseball

It is possible for a pitcher to record a shutout without starting the game or pitching a complete game as long as all the outs are recorded under the same pitcher and no opposing runs are scored by the other team. When a pitcher begins the game, he is recorded as the starting pitcher, regardless of how long he pitches. However, to officially be the starting pitcher, he must face at least one batter before being removed from the game. This rule applies whether the batter faced reached base or was put out in any way.

If the starting pitcher is removed from the game before recording the first out against the opposing team, the replacement pitcher can still be eligible for a shutout if the game ends with the opposing team failing to score a run. However, this replacement pitcher cannot be credited with starting the game or a complete game. Additionally, the replacement pitcher must complete the rest of the game without being taken out for any other pitcher at any time during the game.

One famous instance of this rule occurred on June 23, 1917, when Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox walked the first batter from the Washington Senators, Ray Morgan, in the bottom of the first inning. Ruth engaged in an argument with the home plate umpire, Brick Owens, and was ejected from the field. Ernie Shore, Ruth’s replacement, then proceeded to finish the game without allowing the Senators to score. Morgan was caught stealing, and Shore retired the next 26 batters in a row.

This game was initially regarded as a perfect game for many years. However, it was later officially downgraded to a combined no-hitter due to Ruth’s walk. Still, Shore was credited with a shutout for his effort, even though he did not start the game or pitch a complete game. If Ruth had conceded a run in that inning without recording an out, such as by allowing consecutive walks or hits, Shore would not have been able to record a shutout since the other team would have already scored a run.

Shutouts in Games Shortened by Weather

In baseball, games lasting shorter or longer than nine innings present unique challenges for pitchers aiming for a shutout. Normally, a shutout requires the pitcher to pitch a complete game and prevent the opposing team from scoring any runs. In a standard Major League Baseball game of nine innings, the pitcher must hold the opposition scoreless throughout. However, if the game is cut short due to weather or uncontrollable elements after five or more innings, it can still be ruled a complete game under Major League Baseball rule 4.10. In such cases, a pitcher can be credited with a complete-game shutout if he prevents the other team from scoring by the time the game ends.

Extra-Inning Shutouts and Their Rarity

When a game goes into extra innings, the same pitcher must keep pitching until the game ends to maintain a shutout. If he is replaced or allows a run in an extra inning, he cannot receive a shutout. This scenario is rare, as starting pitchers are typically relieved before extra innings. A famous example is Pedro Martínez on June 3, 1995, when he pitched nine scoreless innings for the Montreal Expos against the San Diego Padres. The game remained scoreless, forcing extra innings. In the 10th inning, the Expos scored, but Martínez gave up a leadoff double to Bip Roberts and was immediately replaced by Mel Rojas. The Expos won 1–0, but Martínez did not receive a complete game or shutout due to the relief appearance.

Legendary Extra-Inning Shutouts in Baseball History

Some of the most legendary extra-inning shutouts have cemented pitchers’ places in history. Jack Morris achieved a remarkable 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, an iconic moment that led to him being named Series MVP. The longest complete-game shutout in Major League history was an astounding 18 innings, accomplished by pitchers John Montgomery Ward (1882), Ed Summers (1909), Walter Johnson (1918), and Carl Hubbell (1933). These historical achievements remain some of the greatest in Major League history and are celebrated for the stamina and skill required to achieve a shutout over such extended play.

F&Q

What does shutout mean in baseball?

In baseball, a starting pitcher is credited with a shutout when he pitches the entire game for his team and does not allow the opposition to score a single run. By definition, if any pitcher throws a shutout, he is also awarded a win since he has recorded every out for his team and didn’t allow even one run. This means the team could only have won because the opposing team was completely prevented from scoring.

Is 0-0 a Shutout?

In a regular season game, if the score is tied 0-0 at the end of overtime, both goaltenders are often credited with a shutout, regardless of any goals scored during the shootout that may follow. In this scenario, a 0-0 score reflects that no goals were allowed in regulation and overtime, which qualifies as a shutout for both goaltenders.

What is a Shutout Score?

A shutout score occurs when a game ends with one team allowing no goals from the opposition. In baseball, this means one team has scored while the other has not, but in other sports, like hockey, it can also happen in a 0-0 tie at the end of overtime, where both goaltenders are credited with a shutout due to their preventing goals up to the shootout stage.