In baseball, a shutout refers to a game in which one team wins without allowing the opposing team to score any runs. If the starting pitcher can pitch the entire game without giving up a run he earns a complete game shutout.
The term can also be used, however, to describe periods of time longer or shorter than one game. For instance, the efforts of a relief pitcher could be described as "three shutout innings" or a pitcher may have pitched a shutout over the "past 22 innings" (slightly over two full games.) See also: no-hitter.
In ice hockey, a shutout is given to a team whose goalie successfully keeps the other team from scoring. The current record holder for most career shutouts is Terry Sawchuk with 103.
