Hello and Happy Sunday everyone.
Hope the weekend is treating you well. Still soaking up the historical limelight that shined brightly upon the Emerald City less than 24 hours ago. Ironically it was 19 years ago today A Mariner threw a no-hitter inside the Kingdome. His name was Chris Bosio.
Saturday the 21st Perfect Game was thrown (in Major League Baseball history since 1901). For a case of perspective since 1991 there have been 9 perfect games thrown. Congratulations to Phillip Humber for turning the trick Saturday in Seattle. Those in attendance will have a memory to share for a lifetime.
In tossing the first Perfect Game since Roy Halladay did the deed in May of 2012 Humber's moment did not come without some controversy.
Old timers will make the argument about a gift strikeout given to Don Larsen 10/8/56 when pinch hitter Dale Mitchell checked his swing for the 27th out and umpire Babe Pinelli called 'Strike Three!'
The last Mariner batter to have a chance to reach first base was Brendan Ryan.
On a check swing with a 3-2 count it appeared Ryan checked his swing. He was ruled out on a whiff as the ball went to the backstop and bounced back to catcher A.J. Pierzynski as he threw to first for the final out.
Had Ryan kept on running he might have beaten the throw. This would have brought back memories of Milt Pappas getting jobbed by an ump 9/2/72 with the 27th batter drawing a walk. Yeah, Armando Gallaraga too!
Yankee fans will remember a moment in 2001 when Mike Mussina was denied a Perfect Game when Carl Everett connected for a hit to break up perfection. Met fans will invoke the name of Jimmy Qualls 7/9/69. A pinch-hitter for the Cubs in a game at Shea Stadium. Tom Seaver was on the mound for New York. Qualls would single cleanly. No perfection and no no-hitter.
Crazy stat: Phil Humber joined some amazing company as he became the SEVENTH ex-New York Met to throw a no-hitter/perfect game. I say this because the Mets have yet to throw a no-hitter in their 50 year history. Have fun with that.
If you're a White Sox fan that was your third perfect game since 1922. Check back in about 30 years for number 4. Indeed it is early in 2012 yet something about this kind of accomplishment is timeless and immediately a classic. Congratulations to Phil Humber making his first complete game one for the ages.
Earth Day now 42 years young. Happy Birthday!
Over and out in Big D.
Mr. Will