Overview
A complete game is recorded when a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without relief. Once commonplace, complete games have drastically declined with the rise of bullpen specialization. NPB's career record is Masaichi Kaneda's 365 (1950-1969, as of September 4, 2026), a figure set by a 400-game winner. In earlier eras, pitchers such as Kazuhisa Inao piled up complete games with the durability that earned him the nickname 'Iron Arm.' League-wide complete game totals have fallen sharply, and in some seasons a handful of complete games is enough to lead the league. A complete game demonstrates stamina and mental fortitude-the ability to win on one's own even without offensive support. However, the modern emphasis on pitch count management, with roughly 100 pitches as the benchmark for removal, has made forced complete games increasingly rare. Nevertheless, aces such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto recorded multiple complete games in NPB, and the ability to go the distance still carries significant weight in earning a team's trust.