You Are Here > Baseball-Reference.com > About Baseball-Reference.com > Summary of Missing or Unknown Play-by-Play Data

Summary of Missing or Unknown Play-by-Play Data

Thanks to the tremendous work at Retrosheet.org we have play-by-play for 100% of the games from 1974 on, 99% of the games between 1957 and 1973 and 90% of the games in 1954-1956. For the missing 1% and 10% of the games we have box score files for those games that give us some information on the type of hits and outs made, but obviously not as detailed.

For some games there is a significant amount of play-by-play known, but in some cases only the fact an out was made is known (batter grounded out) rather than the actual play (i.e. batter out 4-3). These are still coded as outs in the database, but we can't know for certain what happened. Below is a chart showing the percentage of plays for a season which are either unknown plays (batter out) or from games with missing pbp accounts (estimated by batter PA's for the games). 

| year_game | Percent_Plays_Unknown |
+-----------+-----------------------+
|      1954 | 15.0%                 |
|      1955 | 20.6%                 |
|      1956 | 14.6%                 |
|      1957 | 7.2%                  |
|      1958 | 3.2%                  |
|      1959 | 1.6%                  |
|      1960 | 0.6%                  |
|      1961 | 0.4%                  |
|      1962 | 1.6%                  |
|      1963 | 0.5%                  |
|      1964 | 0.8%                  |
|      1965 | 1.8%                  |
|      1966 | 2.0%                  |
|      1967 | 1.8%                  |
|      1968 | 3.8%                  |
|      1969 | 1.0%                  |
|      1970 | 0.6%                  |
|      1971 | 1.6%                  |
|      1972 | 0.5%                  |
|      1973 | 0.8%                  |
|      1974 | 0.0%                  |
|      1975 | 0.0%                  |
|      1976 | 0.0%                  |
|      1977 | 0.0%                  |
|      1978 | 0.0%                  |
|      1979 | 0.0%                  |
|      1980 | 0.0%                  |
|      1981 | 0.0%                  |
|      1982 | 0.0%                  |
|      1983 | 0.0%                  |
|      1984 | 0.0%                  |
|      1985 | 0.0%                  |
|      1986 | 0.0%                  |
|      1987 | 0.0%                  |
|      1988 | 0.0%                  |
|      1989 | 0.0%                  |
|      1990 | 0.0%                  |
|      1991 | 0.0%                  |
|      1992 | 0.0%                  |
|      1993 | 0.0%                  |
|      1994 | 0.0%                  |
|      1995 | 0.0%                  |
|      1996 | 0.0%                  |
|      1997 | 0.0%                  |
|      1998 | 0.0%                  |
|      1999 | 0.0%                  |
|      2000 | 0.0%                  |
|      2001 | 0.0%                  |
|      2002 | 0.0%                  |
|      2003 | 0.0%                  |
|      2004 | 0.0%                  |
|      2005 | 0.0%                  |
|      2006 | 0.0%                  |
|      2007 | 0.0%                  |
|      2008 | 0.0%                  |

Unknown Plays by Batting Team

Unlisted teams have 0% unknown plays. 

| year_game | batting_team_id | Percent_Plays_Unknown |
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------------+
|      1954 | BAL             |                  3.82%|
|      1954 | BOS             |                  3.50%|
|      1954 | CHC             |                 27.04%|
|      1954 | CIN             |                  0.05%|
|      1954 | MLN             |                 18.26%|
|      1954 | NYG             |                  7.28%|
|      1954 | NYY             |                  5.18%|
|      1954 | PHA             |                  4.50%|
|      1954 | PHI             |                 11.15%|
|      1954 | PIT             |                 35.44%|
|      1954 | STL             |                 23.39%|
|      1954 | WSH             |                  0.62%|
|      1955 | BOS             |                  0.13%|
|      1955 | CHC             |                 35.87%|
|      1955 | CIN             |                  0.08%|
|      1955 | KCA             |                  0.71%|
|      1955 | MLN             |                 32.12%|
|      1955 | NYG             |                 28.68%|
|      1955 | PHI             |                  7.53%|
|      1955 | PIT             |                 46.13%|
|      1955 | STL             |                 41.04%|
|      1955 | WSH             |                  0.60%|
|      1956 | BOS             |                  1.75%|
|      1956 | CHC             |                 31.85%|
|      1956 | CIN             |                  0.03%|
|      1956 | CLE             |                  0.02%|
|      1956 | KCA             |                  1.96%|
|      1956 | MLN             |                 32.82%|
|      1956 | NYG             |                 23.85%|
|      1956 | NYY             |                  0.10%|
|      1956 | PHI             |                  1.96%|
|      1956 | PIT             |                 37.57%|
|      1956 | STL             |                  0.05%|
|      1957 | BAL             |                  0.69%|
|      1957 | BOS             |                  6.42%|
|      1957 | BRO             |                  0.02%|
|      1957 | CHC             |                 15.10%|
|      1957 | CIN             |                  0.02%|
|      1957 | CLE             |                  1.37%|
|      1957 | KCA             |                  7.85%|
|      1957 | NYG             |                 15.23%|
|      1957 | PIT             |                 14.97%|
|      1957 | WSH             |                  1.15%|
|      1958 | BOS             |                  2.09%|
|      1958 | CHC             |                  7.04%|
|      1958 | CLE             |                  1.27%|
|      1958 | KCA             |                  3.20%|
|      1958 | MLN             |                  5.17%|
|      1958 | PHI             |                  0.02%|
|      1958 | PIT             |                  8.42%|
|      1958 | SFG             |                  0.90%|
|      1959 | BOS             |                  1.07%|
|      1959 | CHC             |                  2.68%|
|      1959 | CIN             |                  0.10%|
|      1959 | DET             |                  0.03%|
|      1959 | KCA             |                  1.02%|
|      1959 | MLN             |                  4.94%|
|      1959 | NYY             |                  0.02%|
|      1959 | PIT             |                  3.48%|
|      1959 | WSH             |                  0.07%|
|      1960 | BOS             |                  0.42%|
|      1960 | CHC             |                  0.74%|
|      1960 | DET             |                  0.02%|
|      1960 | KCA             |                  0.50%|
|      1960 | MLN             |                  2.16%|
|      1960 | PIT             |                  2.40%|
|      1961 | BOS             |                  0.70%|
|      1961 | CLE             |                  0.78%|
|      1961 | DET             |                  0.03%|
|      1961 | KCA             |                  3.39%|
|      1961 | LAA             |                  2.11%|
|      1961 | MLN             |                  0.49%|
|      1961 | PIT             |                  0.60%|
|      1962 | BOS             |                  0.29%|
|      1962 | CHC             |                  2.14%|
|      1962 | KCA             |                  2.97%|
|      1962 | LAA             |                  2.77%|
|      1962 | MIN             |                  0.02%|
|      1962 | MLN             |                  5.80%|
|      1962 | PIT             |                  4.47%|
|      1963 | BOS             |                  0.11%|
|      1963 | CHW             |                  0.02%|
|      1963 | CIN             |                  0.03%|
|      1963 | CLE             |                  0.05%|
|      1963 | KCA             |                  0.68%|
|      1963 | LAA             |                  0.52%|
|      1963 | MLN             |                  2.29%|
|      1963 | PIT             |                  2.32%|
|      1964 | CHC             |                  0.03%|
|      1964 | MLN             |                  4.57%|
|      1964 | PIT             |                  4.12%|
|      1965 | BOS             |                  0.16%|
|      1965 | CAL             |                  0.17%|
|      1965 | CHC             |                  1.02%|
|      1965 | CHW             |                  0.10%|
|      1965 | CIN             |                  0.02%|
|      1965 | CLE             |                  0.02%|
|      1965 | DET             |                  0.02%|
|      1965 | LAD             |                  0.10%|
|      1965 | MLN             |                  8.52%|
|      1965 | PHI             |                  0.02%|
|      1965 | PIT             |                  9.64%|
|      1966 | ATL             |                  8.74%|
|      1966 | BAL             |                  0.03%|
|      1966 | BOS             |                  0.03%|
|      1966 | CAL             |                  0.03%|
|      1966 | CHC             |                  2.86%|
|      1966 | KCA             |                  0.07%|
|      1966 | NYY             |                  0.02%|
|      1966 | PIT             |                  8.99%|
|      1967 | ATL             |                  4.97%|
|      1967 | CIN             |                  0.03%|
|      1967 | HOU             |                  4.05%|
|      1967 | PIT             |                  9.32%|
|      1967 | SFG             |                  0.02%|
|      1968 | ATL             |                 12.33%|
|      1968 | CIN             |                  0.03%|
|      1968 | DET             |                  0.10%|
|      1968 | HOU             |                 12.70%|
|      1968 | LAD             |                  2.53%|
|      1968 | PIT             |                 13.37%|
|      1969 | ATL             |                  5.23%|
|      1969 | HOU             |                  5.26%|
|      1969 | MON             |                  0.59%|
|      1969 | PIT             |                  6.61%|
|      1969 | SDP             |                  6.84%|
|      1969 | SEP             |                  0.05%|
|      1969 | SFG             |                  0.02%|
|      1970 | ATL             |                  6.22%|
|      1970 | BAL             |                  0.06%|
|      1970 | BOS             |                  0.02%|
|      1970 | CLE             |                  0.11%|
|      1970 | HOU             |                  4.71%|
|      1970 | LAD             |                  0.10%|
|      1970 | MIL             |                  0.13%|
|      1970 | MON             |                  0.10%|
|      1970 | NYY             |                  0.02%|
|      1970 | SDP             |                  3.21%|
|      1970 | STL             |                  0.02%|
|      1970 | WSA             |                  0.02%|
|      1971 | ATL             |                  4.70%|
|      1971 | CIN             |                  1.97%|
|      1971 | HOU             |                  5.72%|
|      1971 | MIL             |                  0.02%|
|      1971 | MON             |                  1.25%|
|      1971 | PIT             |                  0.03%|
|      1971 | SDP             |                  6.28%|
|      1972 | ATL             |                  2.11%|
|      1972 | CHC             |                  0.03%|
|      1972 | CHW             |                  0.02%|
|      1972 | CIN             |                  0.87%|
|      1972 | CLE             |                  0.02%|
|      1972 | HOU             |                  1.38%|
|      1972 | MIL             |                  0.02%|
|      1972 | MON             |                  1.56%|
|      1973 | ATL             |                  4.12%|
|      1973 | CIN             |                  0.79%|
|      1973 | HOU             |                  1.19%|
|      1973 | MON             |                  2.40%|
|      1973 | SDP             |                  1.42%|

Unknown Plays by Fielding/Pitching Team

Unlisted teams have 0% unknown plays. 

| Year | Team | Percent_Plays_Unknown |
+------+------+-----------------------+
| 1954 | DET  |                  3.82%|
| 1954 | PHA  |                  3.50%|
| 1954 | STL  |                 27.04%|
| 1954 | MLN  |                  0.05%|
| 1954 | CIN  |                 18.26%|
| 1954 | BRO  |                  7.28%|
| 1954 | WSH  |                  5.18%|
| 1954 | BOS  |                  4.50%|
| 1954 | PIT  |                 11.15%|
| 1954 | PHI  |                 35.44%|
| 1954 | CHC  |                 23.39%|
| 1954 | NYY  |                  0.62%|
| 1955 | BAL  |                  0.13%|
| 1955 | CIN  |                 35.87%|
| 1955 | CHC  |                  0.08%|
| 1955 | DET  |                  0.71%|
| 1955 | CIN  |                 32.12%|
| 1955 | PHI  |                 28.68%|
| 1955 | NYG  |                  7.53%|
| 1955 | BRO  |                 46.13%|
| 1955 | MLN  |                 41.04%|
| 1955 | BAL  |                  0.60%|
| 1956 | BAL  |                  1.75%|
| 1956 | MLN  |                 31.85%|
| 1956 | STL  |                  0.03%|
| 1956 | CHW  |                  0.02%|
| 1956 | DET  |                  1.96%|
| 1956 | CHC  |                 32.82%|
| 1956 | PIT  |                 23.85%|
| 1956 | WSH  |                  0.10%|
| 1956 | BRO  |                  1.96%|
| 1956 | NYG  |                 37.57%|
| 1956 | CIN  |                  0.05%|
| 1957 | WSH  |                  0.69%|
| 1957 | BAL  |                  6.42%|
| 1957 | PHI  |                  0.02%|
| 1957 | MLN  |                 15.10%|
| 1957 | STL  |                  0.02%|
| 1957 | CHW  |                  1.37%|
| 1957 | DET  |                  7.85%|
| 1957 | PHI  |                 15.23%|
| 1957 | BRO  |                 14.97%|
| 1957 | BAL  |                  1.15%|
| 1958 | WSH  |                  2.09%|
| 1958 | STL  |                  7.04%|
| 1958 | KCA  |                  1.27%|
| 1958 | CLE  |                  3.20%|
| 1958 | PIT  |                  5.17%|
| 1958 | CIN  |                  0.02%|
| 1958 | MLN  |                  8.42%|
| 1958 | LAD  |                  0.90%|
| 1959 | NYY  |                  1.07%|
| 1959 | LAD  |                  2.68%|
| 1959 | PIT  |                  0.10%|
| 1959 | CHW  |                  0.03%|
| 1959 | CLE  |                  1.02%|
| 1959 | PIT  |                  4.94%|
| 1959 | BOS  |                  0.02%|
| 1959 | CIN  |                  3.48%|
| 1959 | BAL  |                  0.07%|
| 1960 | WSH  |                  0.42%|
| 1960 | LAD  |                  0.74%|
| 1960 | CLE  |                  0.02%|
| 1960 | CHW  |                  0.50%|
| 1960 | PIT  |                  2.16%|
| 1960 | MLN  |                  2.40%|
| 1961 | KCA  |                  0.70%|
| 1961 | DET  |                  0.78%|
| 1961 | CLE  |                  0.03%|
| 1961 | BOS  |                  3.39%|
| 1961 | BAL  |                  2.11%|
| 1961 | STL  |                  0.49%|
| 1961 | SFG  |                  0.60%|
| 1962 | CLE  |                  0.29%|
| 1962 | HOU  |                  2.14%|
| 1962 | MIN  |                  2.97%|
| 1962 | CHW  |                  2.77%|
| 1962 | KCA  |                  0.02%|
| 1962 | SFG  |                  5.80%|
| 1962 | PHI  |                  4.47%|
| 1963 | LAA  |                  0.11%|
| 1963 | DET  |                  0.02%|
| 1963 | PIT  |                  0.03%|
| 1963 | MIN  |                  0.05%|
| 1963 | NYY  |                  0.68%|
| 1963 | BOS  |                  0.52%|
| 1963 | PIT  |                  2.29%|
| 1963 | CIN  |                  2.32%|
| 1964 | PIT  |                  0.03%|
| 1964 | SFG  |                  4.57%|
| 1964 | CHC  |                  4.12%|
| 1965 | WSA  |                  0.16%|
| 1965 | CLE  |                  0.17%|
| 1965 | STL  |                  1.02%|
| 1965 | BAL  |                  0.10%|
| 1965 | MLN  |                  0.02%|
| 1965 | CAL  |                  0.02%|
| 1965 | KCA  |                  0.02%|
| 1965 | NYM  |                  0.10%|
| 1965 | CIN  |                  8.52%|
| 1965 | HOU  |                  0.02%|
| 1965 | SFG  |                  9.64%|
| 1966 | PIT  |                  8.74%|
| 1966 | BOS  |                  0.03%|
| 1966 | BAL  |                  0.03%|
| 1966 | CHW  |                  0.03%|
| 1966 | SFG  |                  2.86%|
| 1966 | MIN  |                  0.07%|
| 1966 | DET  |                  0.02%|
| 1966 | ATL  |                  8.99%|
| 1967 | HOU  |                  4.97%|
| 1967 | LAD  |                  0.03%|
| 1967 | ATL  |                  4.05%|
| 1967 | NYM  |                  9.32%|
| 1967 | STL  |                  0.02%|
| 1968 | STL  |                 12.33%|
| 1968 | CHC  |                  0.03%|
| 1968 | BOS  |                  0.10%|
| 1968 | PIT  |                 12.70%|
| 1968 | PHI  |                  2.53%|
| 1968 | HOU  |                 13.37%|
| 1969 | SFG  |                  5.23%|
| 1969 | SDP  |                  5.26%|
| 1969 | NYM  |                  0.59%|
| 1969 | STL  |                  6.61%|
| 1969 | HOU  |                  6.84%|
| 1969 | CAL  |                  0.05%|
| 1969 | ATL  |                  0.02%|
| 1970 | SDP  |                  6.22%|
| 1970 | CLE  |                  0.06%|
| 1970 | NYY  |                  0.02%|
| 1970 | BAL  |                  0.11%|
| 1970 | SFG  |                  4.71%|
| 1970 | CIN  |                  0.10%|
| 1970 | CAL  |                  0.13%|
| 1970 | CIN  |                  0.10%|
| 1970 | BOS  |                  0.02%|
| 1970 | ATL  |                  3.21%|
| 1970 | MON  |                  0.02%|
| 1970 | DET  |                  0.02%|
| 1971 | CIN  |                  4.70%|
| 1971 | ATL  |                  1.97%|
| 1971 | LAD  |                  5.72%|
| 1971 | MIN  |                  0.02%|
| 1971 | NYM  |                  1.25%|
| 1971 | PHI  |                  0.03%|
| 1971 | SFG  |                  6.28%|
| 1972 | SDP  |                  2.11%|
| 1972 | PHI  |                  0.03%|
| 1972 | KCR  |                  0.02%|
| 1972 | LAD  |                  0.87%|
| 1972 | MIL  |                  0.02%|
| 1972 | SFG  |                  1.38%|
| 1972 | CLE  |                  0.02%|
| 1972 | STL  |                  1.56%|
| 1973 | HOU  |                  4.12%|
| 1973 | SFG  |                  0.79%|
| 1973 | ATL  |                  1.19%|
| 1973 | CHC  |                  2.40%|
| 1973 | LAD  |                  1.42%|

If you have scorebooks or play-by-play accounts that could close some of these gaps, please let us or know as we are always on the lookup to improve the quality of the data on this site. Please let us know if you have questions.