Inbaseball statistics,games started (denoted by GS) indicates the number ofgames that apitcher hasstarted for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he throws the first pitch to the first opposing batter. If a player is listed in the starting lineup as the team's pitcher, but is replaced before facing an opposing batter, the player is credited with a game pitched but not a game started; there have been instances inmajor league history in which a starting pitcher was removed before his first pitch due to an injury, perhaps suffered whilebatting orrunning the bases during the top half of the first inning.
The all-time leader for games started isCy Young with 815 over a 22-year career.[1] In the modern era,[2]Nolan Ryan has the most games started in a career with 773.[3] The players with the most starts in a single season arePud Galvin andWill White, with 75 games started each. In the modern era, that record is held byJack Chesbro, who had 51 starts in 1904.[4]
Forposition players,games started is also used to denote the number of times their names appear in a team's starting lineup during the season.
The statistic is also used in other sports includingfootball andbasketball.
