In today’s baseball world of five-inning starters, it may be a long time before we see another 300-inning pitcher.

Back in the day, 250-plus innings and double-digit complete games in a season were common. Many of us watched our share. If there was a “closer,” he often pitched more than one inning.

Do you remember the last pitcher to throw more than 300 innings in a season?

Along those lines, will we ever see another 300-game winner anytime soon?

In this edition of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and sometimes before and after — I’ll look at some of the pitchers who threw more than 300 innings, as well as the last of the 300-game winners.

Also: Which wrestler had a “Special Delivery?” What classic deodorant once had Larry Csonka as its spokesman? And which Hall of Famer’s son had a cup of coffee with the Phillies?

Left Lane ... It may surprise you that Steve Carlton was the last hurler to do it. “Lefty” threw 304 innings in 1980, a season in which he also recorded 286 strikeouts.

Carlton topped 250 innings 12 times in his 24-year career. Don’t forget his 27-10 season in 1972, when he threw 346 innings.

Some of you may have seen Sandy Koufax, likely the best lefty before Carlton. Think about these numbers in Koufax’s final two seasons before an arm injury ended his career: In 1965, he struck out 382 in 335 2/3 innings and went 26-8 with a 1.93 ERA. In 1966, he fanned 317 in 323 innings and finished 27-9 with a 1.73 ERA.

In Carlton’s 1980 season, he struck out 286 in his 304 innings.

That ’80s Show ... Behind Carlton in 1980 innings pitched were Oakland’s Rick Langford (290), Oakland’s Mike Norris (284), Kansas City’s Larry Gura (283) and Montreal’s Steve Rogers (281).

A Long Day’s Night ... Besides Carlton, some of the last pitchers to break the 300-inning barrier for a season were:

— Phil Niekro (three straight in the late ’70s; see below)

— Baltimore’s Jim Palmer, 323 in 1975; 319 in 1977; 315 in 1976

— Minnesota’s Dave Goltz, 303 in 1977

— San Diego’s Randy Jones, 315 in 1976

— Montreal’s Steve Rogers, 301 2/3 in 1977

— The Yankees’ Jim “Catfish” Hunter, 328 in 1975

— The Dodgers’ Andy Messersmith, 321 2/3 in 1975

— Ex-Phillie and then White Sox lefty Jim Kaat, 303 in 1975

Messersmith followed his 20-6 year in 1974 with a 19-10 mark in 1975.

In the ’70s and ’80s, Palmer also made his mark as a men’s underwear pitchman. Remember the brand? Jockey soon became a staple.

How the Innings Have Fallen ... In the era of the reliever, here were the top five 2024 innings leaders: Seattle’s Logan Gilbert (208 2/3), Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (206 2/3), San Francisco’s Logan Webb (204 2/3), and the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler (200) and Aaron Nola (199).

These days, reaching 200 innings is a monumental feat.

The 300 Club ... In the modern era, Greg Maddux leads the 300-game winners with 355. He’s followed by Roger Clemens (354), Carlton (329), Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton (324), Niekro (318), Gaylord Perry (314), Tom Seaver (311), Tom Glavine (305) and Randy Johnson (300).

Closing the Gap ... A 300-game winner now would be a Herculean task. Here are the closest active (or recently active) totals: Justin Verlander, 263; Clayton Kershaw, 220; Max Scherzer, 220; Gerrit Cole, 153; Charlie Morton, 147.

Perry-Good ... Who was the first pitcher to top 340 innings in the modern era?

Gaylord Perry threw 344 innings in 1973, going 19-19 with a 3.38 ERA and 29 complete games for the Indians. He struck out 338 and walked 119.

The previous season, Perry won the AL Cy Young, logging 342 2/3 innings with a 24-16 record, a 1.92 ERA and 29 complete games. He fanned 234 and walked 82.

Perry’s career spanned 22 seasons with eight teams, including a brief stint with the Yankees in 1980. He finished 314-265 with a 3.11 ERA, 303 complete games, 3,534 strikeouts and 1,379 walks.

He was guilty of throwing a spitball and other doctored pitches over the years, but his numbers underscore his greatness — Perry is often overlooked.

How many of you read his 1974 autobiography, Me and the Spitter? I had it in paperback.

Knuckle Under ... Along with Perry, Phil Niekro belongs in the same breath.

The knuckleballer topped 330 innings for three straight seasons in the late ’70s. In 1977, he threw 330 innings and went 16-20 with a 4.03 ERA, 262 strikeouts and 20 complete games. In 1978, he went 19-18 with a 2.88 ERA, 248 strikeouts and 22 complete games in 334 1/3 innings. In 1979, he was 21-20 with a 3.39 ERA, 208 strikeouts and 23 complete games over 334 innings.

Niekro finished 318-274 with a 3.35 ERA, 245 complete games, 3,342 strikeouts and 1,809 walks in 5,404 innings over 24 seasons with four teams. He spent two years with the Yankees in the mid-80s.

He also notched 121 wins in his 40s — far more than any other pitcher in that span.

Niekro pitched until age 48.

Wow.

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each week, I’ll recount a former wrestler many of us watched in our youth.

One we may have forgotten: “S.D. — Special Delivery” Jones.

Born Conrad Efraim in Antigua, Jones began wrestling in the NWA in the early ’70s. He trained under Johnny Rodz and Killer Kowalski. Early on, he also performed as Roosevelt Jones.

In the NWA, Jones was a two-time NWA Americas tag-team champion, pairing with Tom Jones and later Pork Chop Cash in the mid-to-late ’70s.

Around that time, he also wrestled in the WWWF, where he became a workhorse, often wrestling more than 200 matches a year. Jones was frequently featured in preliminary TV bouts.

Known for the headbutt as his signature move, Jones compiled a reported record of 1,036-1,176-187 and competed from 1974 to 1995. He briefly held the USA Tag Team Championship with Tony Atlas.

Jones died in 2008 at the age of 63 from complications of a stroke. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Another Classic Game (Item) ... How many of you used Old Spice deodorant and/or aftershave back in the day? I still do occasionally. The company recently teamed with Walmart in a comeback effort.

Remember the ’70s commercial with a sailor and the line, “Manly, yes, but I like it too?” There was also a surfing spot with the slogan, “The mark of a man.”

A shirtless Larry Csonka proved to be a memorable pitchman for the deodorant stick in the ’70s.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, coach, manager or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember Tony Gwynn Jr. as a Phillie? He signed as a free agent in December 2013 and was released in July 2014, then quickly re-signed in early August.

In 80 games in 2014, Gwynn hit .152 with one homer and three RBIs. He became a free agent in October and didn’t return to the majors.

Over eight seasons with the Brewers, Padres and Dodgers, Gwynn hit .238 with seven homers and 98 RBIs in 685 games. His best season arguably came with the Padres in 2009, when he hit .270 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 119 games.

Tony Gwynn Sr. passed away in June 2014, and his son received a standing ovation from Phillies fans in his first plate appearance as a pinch hitter after his father’s death.

Your thoughts are always welcome and will be published. Email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.