Last nights no-hitter by Matt Garza added to what is being called “The Year of the Pitcher” in the Major Leagues. Fans have been lucky enough to witness five no-hitters this season, including two perfect games – and it’s only a month after the All-Star Game, the halfway point of the season.
It all started early on in April when the Colorado Rockies were given their first no-hitter by way of 26-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez. The Dominican Republic native’s line on the night wasn’t overly impressive with 6 walks, but his 7 strikeouts helped him on his way to history. To add to the accomplishment, he also had a RBI and scored a run in the game. Jimenez has only continued to cruise since his no-no. He was rightfully named the NL All-Star Game starter and now holds the most wins in the Majors with a 15-2 record and 2.75 ERA.
A few weeks later, it was a 26-year-old AL pitcher’s turn. Oakland’s Dallas Braden achieved perfection against the Rays with 109 pitches, including six strikeouts, in the 19th perfect game in MLB history. Out of the five so far this season, Braden’s perhaps was the most emotional and inspiring. Braden grew up an hour away from Oakland and had a rough childhood being the son of a single mom. When he was a senior in high school his mother passed away from cancer. His grandmother was there to watch Braden’s every perfect pitch and was the first to give him a congratulatory hug. The biggest significance of the day? It was on Mother’s Day.
Twenty days later, Phillies’ veteran Roy Halladay obtained a perfect game of his own in a 1-0 win against the Marlins. The 159-84 career ace needed 115 pitches to complete the feat, which included a personal and Phillies season high 11 strikeouts. Halladay’s numbers have continued to impress this season as he is tied for 3rd in the NL with 11 wins, is 4th in the Majors with a 2.28 ERA and is tied for a 4th in the NL with 140 Ks.
Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson was probably the most improbable to get a no-no this season. On June 26, his pitch count topped 60 pitches by the 3rd inning, but he told his manager, “I’m not coming out until I give up a homerun or a hit.” Good thing his manager listened. In the end, Jackson finished with 149 pitches and 8 walks in the game, but the zero in the second column on the scoreboard was all that mattered as he led the Dbacks in the 1-0 win against the Rays.
After being no-hit twice already this season, Tampa Bay got redemption of its own through Matt Garza’s gem last night. His no-hitter was the first in the young franchise’s history. He gave up just one walk in the 7th inning, but still managed to face the minimum as his walk was followed by an inning-ending double play. It took him 120 pitches to get his 27 outs.
With all the great pitching performances this season, even beyond the five no-hitters, it’s hard not to start thinking about who will get the Cy Young this season. If the season continues on the way it has thus far, I think it is pretty clear that the NL will award it to Jimenez. With his no-hitter, All-Star start, MLB-leading 15 wins and miniscule 2.75 ERA, there are very few others that can compete.
The AL, however leaves a lot more options. Ironically, at this point I have to go with the other All-Star starter, David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. The top pick from 2007 leads the AL with 13 wins and is 5th with a 2.90 ERA. Another possibility in the Cy Young race who has been doing things more quietly is veteran ace Andy Pettitte. He holds a 11-2 record with a 2.88 ERA for the AL East-leading Yankees.
But, as everyone knows, with 60-some games left in the regular season, anything is bound to happen. Let’s hope it continues to be as exciting as it’s been thus far.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Why Baseball is Better Than Christmas
My apologies first and foremost for such a long blogging drought. Working in baseball does not give you much time in the summer for recreational writing. But since it is mid-season for most of the minor leagues and almost to the MLB mid-summer classic, this is the perfect time to share with you how and why the glorious game of baseball is better than Christmas. Why compare it to Christmas? Well today is June 25th, exactly half way to the winter holiday. So, on we go.
5. You don’t have to be “politically correct” in baseball.
Being Catholic, Christmas is just what it is meant to be, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. For me, candy canes and Christmas stars have biblical ties and my favorite carols also have religious sentiments. But because this nation is based on the separation of church and state, we have to watch our step when celebrating Christmas publically. In schools and the workplace, there is no longer Christmas break, but winter break; Christmas trees and stockings are inappropriate. Santa Claus can barely even sneak through without criticism (ironic since he is based on the Saint Nicholas). However, in baseball, there is none of that. Baseball is baseball. Its roots and rules were established long ago and are basically universal wherever it is being played. It is not changed to appease to others beliefs. It is what it is.
4. So many share the spotlight.
With Christmas, you get Santa Claus. He is the star of the show. Of course, he has his supporting cast in Rudolph, Frosty, etc, but jolly ‘ole St. Nick is the star of the season. In baseball, there are countless guys claiming the spotlight. How do you answer to who is the biggest star in baseball? Jeter? A-Rod? Manny? Mauer? Longoria? Ethier? Jiminez? There is no one answer. And even better, there is an abundance of young guns coming up into the majors that are ready to get their piece of the fame; Strasburg, Heyward, Jackson, Stanton are just a few drawing everyone’s attention in their Major League debuts.
3. You can’t match the history.
Christmas is Christmas year after year after year. Every year there are the same events, the same decorations, the same everything. Little has changed in the long, long history of the holiday. America’s pastime is called so because of the history and nostalgia it evokes. I could start naming off all the history and artifacts from the game, but that would take a room full of books to get through. Baseball is not baseball without its vast history and memories.
2. You always get what you want.
Well, except if you’re a Cubs fan…
Everyone has had at least one Christmas morning where they ripped through their presents but were deflated after not finding that one gift they wanted the most. Although always grateful, some Christmases come with a little of a letdown after not getting the one present you most wanted. With baseball, you always get what you want, maybe not within your particular team, but without a doubt in the game itself. Night after night there are pitching duels, walk-off wins, extra innings, grand slams, web gems and on occasion no-hitters and perfect games. There is always something exciting going on, no matter what. For true fans, baseball never disappoints.
1. Baseball is the gift that keeps on giving.
Christmas comes but once a year. Nowadays it is stretched into a month-long excursion, but in reality there is only really about a week of Christmas celebrations. Baseball extends from April to October, or for the Yankees and Phillies last year, even on into November. Before April, you have Spring Training that fuels your fire for some “play ball.” Even in the off-season there are transactions, retirements and all sorts of scandalous going-ons. For those who truly appreciate it, baseball continues on 365 days a year to be enjoyed, to be appreciated and to be cherished.
When it comes to Christmas and baseball, it isn’t even a fair comparison. Nothing can emulate the joy, the emotion, the unpredictability and the euphoria that baseball brings to its biggest fans.
5. You don’t have to be “politically correct” in baseball.
Being Catholic, Christmas is just what it is meant to be, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. For me, candy canes and Christmas stars have biblical ties and my favorite carols also have religious sentiments. But because this nation is based on the separation of church and state, we have to watch our step when celebrating Christmas publically. In schools and the workplace, there is no longer Christmas break, but winter break; Christmas trees and stockings are inappropriate. Santa Claus can barely even sneak through without criticism (ironic since he is based on the Saint Nicholas). However, in baseball, there is none of that. Baseball is baseball. Its roots and rules were established long ago and are basically universal wherever it is being played. It is not changed to appease to others beliefs. It is what it is.
4. So many share the spotlight.
With Christmas, you get Santa Claus. He is the star of the show. Of course, he has his supporting cast in Rudolph, Frosty, etc, but jolly ‘ole St. Nick is the star of the season. In baseball, there are countless guys claiming the spotlight. How do you answer to who is the biggest star in baseball? Jeter? A-Rod? Manny? Mauer? Longoria? Ethier? Jiminez? There is no one answer. And even better, there is an abundance of young guns coming up into the majors that are ready to get their piece of the fame; Strasburg, Heyward, Jackson, Stanton are just a few drawing everyone’s attention in their Major League debuts.
3. You can’t match the history.
Christmas is Christmas year after year after year. Every year there are the same events, the same decorations, the same everything. Little has changed in the long, long history of the holiday. America’s pastime is called so because of the history and nostalgia it evokes. I could start naming off all the history and artifacts from the game, but that would take a room full of books to get through. Baseball is not baseball without its vast history and memories.
2. You always get what you want.
Well, except if you’re a Cubs fan…
Everyone has had at least one Christmas morning where they ripped through their presents but were deflated after not finding that one gift they wanted the most. Although always grateful, some Christmases come with a little of a letdown after not getting the one present you most wanted. With baseball, you always get what you want, maybe not within your particular team, but without a doubt in the game itself. Night after night there are pitching duels, walk-off wins, extra innings, grand slams, web gems and on occasion no-hitters and perfect games. There is always something exciting going on, no matter what. For true fans, baseball never disappoints.
1. Baseball is the gift that keeps on giving.
Christmas comes but once a year. Nowadays it is stretched into a month-long excursion, but in reality there is only really about a week of Christmas celebrations. Baseball extends from April to October, or for the Yankees and Phillies last year, even on into November. Before April, you have Spring Training that fuels your fire for some “play ball.” Even in the off-season there are transactions, retirements and all sorts of scandalous going-ons. For those who truly appreciate it, baseball continues on 365 days a year to be enjoyed, to be appreciated and to be cherished.
When it comes to Christmas and baseball, it isn’t even a fair comparison. Nothing can emulate the joy, the emotion, the unpredictability and the euphoria that baseball brings to its biggest fans.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Madness is Magnificent
Oh, March Madness, how do I love thee, let me count the ways…
Early in the regular NCAA basketball season, my dad and I kept saying how we couldn’t wait for the tourney to start because it was sure to be nuts – and we haven’t been let down! This is easily the most entertaining tournament I can remember.
But people are getting on my nerves complaining constantly about all the underdogs taking down the high seeds this year. Seriously? You cannot be a true college basketball fan if you are complaining! Do you want all #1 seeds to make the Final Four and the top overall to win it? How fun is that? Are my brackets trashed? yes. Am I out a few bucks? yes. Did I cringe when my hometown Orange failed to overcome a 5 seed? yes. But let me repeat… I love this tournament! This is how college basketball is supposed to be. 64 teams chosen with the possibility of anyone from a 1 to a 14 seed walking off the court victorious.
Upsets are what make college basketball what it is. A large percentage of the top players in the game right now can thank an upset for getting them where they are. When the 1966 Texas Western team took down legendary Adolph Rupp’s top-ranked Kentucky, history was made. The game was historic before the upset, as five black players were introduced as starters for the first time in NCAA championship history. The highly favored Wildcat opponents were an all-white team. (The movie Glory Road revisits this season. I highly recommend it if you haven’t yet seen it).
More memorable for most, though, was just a few short years ago in 2006 when George Mason took down top-seeded Connecticut to make it to the Final Four. The Patriots were the second 11 seed to make it that far in the tournament. Of course, in proper Cinderella-story fashion, it took more than regulation to pull off the upset. George Mason went 5-for-6 in overtime to get the 86-84 win to advance.
As I said before, 2010 is living up to all the March Madness hype. The Final Four will consist of just one top seed (Duke), a 2 seed (West Virginia) and two 5 seeds (Butler and Michigan State). The Elite Eight saw a 12, 11 and 10 seed battle it out. And let’s not forget #14 Ohio taking down #3 Georgetown in the first round and a #9 Northern Iowa dismantling overall #1 Kansas in Round 2 – and that was just in the Midwest region!
Fans don’t remember the tournament for top teams pummeling lower seeds. March Madness is not a national phenomenon because of uneventful, predictable games. It is cherished for its instability, its uniqueness and for the madness it creates.
**As a side note, I can’t conclude a blog about college basketball on this fine day of March 28 without reminding you of what many believe is the greatest shot ever in college hoops. So, enjoy watching history be made exactly 18 years ago today:
Early in the regular NCAA basketball season, my dad and I kept saying how we couldn’t wait for the tourney to start because it was sure to be nuts – and we haven’t been let down! This is easily the most entertaining tournament I can remember.
But people are getting on my nerves complaining constantly about all the underdogs taking down the high seeds this year. Seriously? You cannot be a true college basketball fan if you are complaining! Do you want all #1 seeds to make the Final Four and the top overall to win it? How fun is that? Are my brackets trashed? yes. Am I out a few bucks? yes. Did I cringe when my hometown Orange failed to overcome a 5 seed? yes. But let me repeat… I love this tournament! This is how college basketball is supposed to be. 64 teams chosen with the possibility of anyone from a 1 to a 14 seed walking off the court victorious.
Upsets are what make college basketball what it is. A large percentage of the top players in the game right now can thank an upset for getting them where they are. When the 1966 Texas Western team took down legendary Adolph Rupp’s top-ranked Kentucky, history was made. The game was historic before the upset, as five black players were introduced as starters for the first time in NCAA championship history. The highly favored Wildcat opponents were an all-white team. (The movie Glory Road revisits this season. I highly recommend it if you haven’t yet seen it).
More memorable for most, though, was just a few short years ago in 2006 when George Mason took down top-seeded Connecticut to make it to the Final Four. The Patriots were the second 11 seed to make it that far in the tournament. Of course, in proper Cinderella-story fashion, it took more than regulation to pull off the upset. George Mason went 5-for-6 in overtime to get the 86-84 win to advance.
As I said before, 2010 is living up to all the March Madness hype. The Final Four will consist of just one top seed (Duke), a 2 seed (West Virginia) and two 5 seeds (Butler and Michigan State). The Elite Eight saw a 12, 11 and 10 seed battle it out. And let’s not forget #14 Ohio taking down #3 Georgetown in the first round and a #9 Northern Iowa dismantling overall #1 Kansas in Round 2 – and that was just in the Midwest region!
Fans don’t remember the tournament for top teams pummeling lower seeds. March Madness is not a national phenomenon because of uneventful, predictable games. It is cherished for its instability, its uniqueness and for the madness it creates.
**As a side note, I can’t conclude a blog about college basketball on this fine day of March 28 without reminding you of what many believe is the greatest shot ever in college hoops. So, enjoy watching history be made exactly 18 years ago today:
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
The majority of people think of today’s holiday as a drinking fest. I am guilty as all for enjoying a few too many green beers on March 17th, but it is also important to recognize the real reason for this day, just like we should for Easter and Christmas and so on.
So in honor of the real reason for the celebration, here’s a little background on the real St. Patrick:
When he was a boy, he was taken as a slave from Scotland to Ireland. During his captivity he continually turned to God for help, and he answered him. When he was 20 years old, God told him in a dream to go to the coast in order to leave Ireland. He did so and was taken aboard a ship and back to his family. He started studying to be a priest and then became a bishop and was sent to take his faith to Ireland. Patrick began teaching and converting the land of Ireland and building many churches along the way. On this day in 461, he died after a life of true devotion. The shamrock is related to him because he used the three-leafed plant to explain the Holy Trinity.
Today, I hope you enjoyed a beer or two… or too many, but I hope you also take a moment to reflect on why this is considered a holiday to begin with. St. Patrick traveled around Ireland for 40 years, living in poverty and teaching so many that emerald Isle is now known for its abundant Catholic faith.
In conclusion, I’ll leave you with some old Irish blessings:
May love and laughter light your ways
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to your and yours.
May God give you…
for every storm, a rainbow
for every tear, a smile
for every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song,
and an answer for each prayer.
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers.
Miles and miles of irish smiles
for happy golden hours.
Shamrocks at your doorway
for luck and laughter, too.
And a host of friends that never ends
each day your whole life through.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
So in honor of the real reason for the celebration, here’s a little background on the real St. Patrick:
When he was a boy, he was taken as a slave from Scotland to Ireland. During his captivity he continually turned to God for help, and he answered him. When he was 20 years old, God told him in a dream to go to the coast in order to leave Ireland. He did so and was taken aboard a ship and back to his family. He started studying to be a priest and then became a bishop and was sent to take his faith to Ireland. Patrick began teaching and converting the land of Ireland and building many churches along the way. On this day in 461, he died after a life of true devotion. The shamrock is related to him because he used the three-leafed plant to explain the Holy Trinity.
Today, I hope you enjoyed a beer or two… or too many, but I hope you also take a moment to reflect on why this is considered a holiday to begin with. St. Patrick traveled around Ireland for 40 years, living in poverty and teaching so many that emerald Isle is now known for its abundant Catholic faith.
In conclusion, I’ll leave you with some old Irish blessings:
May love and laughter light your ways
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to your and yours.
May God give you…
for every storm, a rainbow
for every tear, a smile
for every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song,
and an answer for each prayer.
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers.
Miles and miles of irish smiles
for happy golden hours.
Shamrocks at your doorway
for luck and laughter, too.
And a host of friends that never ends
each day your whole life through.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Spring Training is... Spring Training
Don't get me wrong, I always have the countdown going of when pitchers and catchers report and then one for when the first pitch of spring is thrown, but some people put way too much emphasis and consideration into spring training games. Now, I do think that for individual players who are under close scrutiny spring training is important, but as for correlation between a team's spring training performance and their performance in the upcoming regular season? Spring training isn't much of a telltale sign.
The World Champion Yankees started off their spring with a 6-3 walk-off win over the Pirates. The dramatics came off the bat of a game-winning homerun by Colin Curtis. Who, you ask? Exactly. Good news for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; the Bronx boys will care maybe in a year or two. Should Yankee fans be worried that they narrowly won over the Pirates? Well, last year, they opened the spring the same way and as we know, the Yanks went on to win it all while having the best record in baseball and the only team with more than 100 regular season wins (103-59). The Pirates didn't see any playoff action, finishing dead last in the NL Central with only three more wins than the Yankees had losses (62-99).
New York's second game was all hyped up because of the World Series rematch against the Phillies and aces CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay going head-to-head on the mound. In the Yankees 3-2 loss, CC let up two hits and two walks while Halladay had no hits and three strikeouts -- each only pitching two innings. Two innings! You really can't coincide the performances in their short-lived spring debut with how they may pitch season long in the regular season, you just can't.
In Friday's game, everyone was anxious to see how battling starters Joba Chamberlin and Phil Hughes would do. Hughes started and gave up a homerun and a walk in two innings. Joba followed with two innings of his own, letting in five runs on three extra-base hits and a walk while striking out just one batter. But again, can two innings really be a precursor to an entire regular season? No. Posada's back-up Cervelli was good offensively, which we hope will continue, and MLB's Bryan Hoch noted that Jeter and Cano looked sharp up the middle -- duh, they've been doing that for how long now?
With the 7-12 loss in the third game to the Rays, the Yankees are now 1-2 in the Grapefruit League. But even the Grapefruit's final standings need to be lightly considered. In 2009, the Bronx Bombers won the Grapefruit League and went on to be the best team in baseball that year. But, four of the top eight Grapefruit finishers didn't even make the playoffs last season.
So, let me reiterate. Yes, I do love spring training. Not much other than Opening Day gets me as giddy. However, I do think people try to take way too much out of spring training as a basis for the regular season. Watch it. Check out the lines. But always remember, when it comes to baseball, anything and everything is possible to happen in the long stretch from May to September.
The World Champion Yankees started off their spring with a 6-3 walk-off win over the Pirates. The dramatics came off the bat of a game-winning homerun by Colin Curtis. Who, you ask? Exactly. Good news for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; the Bronx boys will care maybe in a year or two. Should Yankee fans be worried that they narrowly won over the Pirates? Well, last year, they opened the spring the same way and as we know, the Yanks went on to win it all while having the best record in baseball and the only team with more than 100 regular season wins (103-59). The Pirates didn't see any playoff action, finishing dead last in the NL Central with only three more wins than the Yankees had losses (62-99).
New York's second game was all hyped up because of the World Series rematch against the Phillies and aces CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay going head-to-head on the mound. In the Yankees 3-2 loss, CC let up two hits and two walks while Halladay had no hits and three strikeouts -- each only pitching two innings. Two innings! You really can't coincide the performances in their short-lived spring debut with how they may pitch season long in the regular season, you just can't.
In Friday's game, everyone was anxious to see how battling starters Joba Chamberlin and Phil Hughes would do. Hughes started and gave up a homerun and a walk in two innings. Joba followed with two innings of his own, letting in five runs on three extra-base hits and a walk while striking out just one batter. But again, can two innings really be a precursor to an entire regular season? No. Posada's back-up Cervelli was good offensively, which we hope will continue, and MLB's Bryan Hoch noted that Jeter and Cano looked sharp up the middle -- duh, they've been doing that for how long now?
With the 7-12 loss in the third game to the Rays, the Yankees are now 1-2 in the Grapefruit League. But even the Grapefruit's final standings need to be lightly considered. In 2009, the Bronx Bombers won the Grapefruit League and went on to be the best team in baseball that year. But, four of the top eight Grapefruit finishers didn't even make the playoffs last season.
So, let me reiterate. Yes, I do love spring training. Not much other than Opening Day gets me as giddy. However, I do think people try to take way too much out of spring training as a basis for the regular season. Watch it. Check out the lines. But always remember, when it comes to baseball, anything and everything is possible to happen in the long stretch from May to September.
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