Earned run average facts for kids

In baseball, the Earned Run Average (often called ERA) is a special number that shows how good a pitcher is. It measures how many 'earned runs' a pitcher allows on average during a game. A lower ERA means the pitcher is doing a better job of stopping opponents from scoring.

What is Earned Run Average (ERA)?

The Earned Run Average, or ERA, is one of the most important statistics for a baseball pitcher. It helps fans and teams understand how well a pitcher performs. It tells you how many runs a pitcher gives up that are their own fault, not due to mistakes by their teammates.

How is ERA Calculated?

Calculating ERA is quite simple. It's based on the number of earned runs a pitcher allows and how many innings they have pitched.

Here's the formula:

• Take the number of earned runs the pitcher allowed.
• Divide that by the total number of innings they pitched.
• Then, multiply that number by nine (because a standard baseball game has nine innings).

For example, imagine a pitcher has pitched 95 innings and allowed 25 earned runs.

• First, divide 25 (earned runs) by 95 (innings pitched). This equals about 0.263.
• Next, multiply 0.263 by 9. This gives you an ERA of about 2.37.

This means that, on average, this pitcher gives up about 2.37 earned runs every nine innings they pitch.

Why is ERA Important?

ERA is a key stat because it helps compare pitchers fairly. It shows how effective a pitcher is at preventing runs. A pitcher with a low ERA is usually very good at getting batters out and keeping the score down for their team. It's a great way to see who the best pitchers are in Major League Baseball and other leagues.

Notable ERA Records

Some pitchers have achieved incredibly low ERAs throughout their careers. These records show just how dominant some pitchers can be.

Lowest Career ERA

The lowest career ERA in Major League Baseball history was set by Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh. His amazing ERA was 1.82. This means he allowed fewer than two earned runs per nine innings over his entire career, which is very rare.

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  The lowest career ERA is 1.82, set by Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh.