Hey All,
Well, we're coming into the third week of the regular season and there has already been a perfecto thrown in one game and an epic 9-run comeback in another. Here's things to check out...
Who's Hot:
Hitters: Matt Kemp (LAD), Andre Ethier (LAD), and Josh Hamilton (TEX)
Pitchers: Jered Weaver (LAA), J. Verlander (DET)
Who's Not:
Hitters: Jose Bautista (TOR), Albert Pujols (LAA), Kendry Morales (LAA)
Pitchers: Cliff Lee (PHI), Tim Lincecum (SF)
Perfect Game Salute
Here's a big salute to Chicago White Sox hurler, Philip Humber. The 29-year old right-hander faced less batters than his age when he retired 27 straight Seattle Mariners to record just the 21st perfect game in major league history. The last pitch he threw was outside, but pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan let loose a check swing that umpire Brian Runge called a strike for the final out, but the game wasn't over yet. The third strike got by catcher A.J. Pierzynski who had to chase down the ball and throw Ryan out at first. A.J. did and Humber was officially perfect. Pierzynski said his only thought on the dropped third strike was, "Get the ball and get it to first base as fast as possible because If I screw this up, I'm going to be a goat forever."
This week's Three Trivial Things:
1. A note on batters faced; While Philip Humber faced only 27 batters in his perfect game, the New York Yankees sent 25 batters to the plate in the 7th and 8th innings alone in their 15-9 come-from-behind win over the Boston Red Sox.
2. The Chicago White Sox have had two pitchers throw perfect games in the last four years. The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets have never had a pitcher throw so much as a no-hitter in their franchise history.
3. Of the 21 perfect games thrown in MLB history, the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers each lay claim to one game on the list. Ironically, they beat each other to get there. In 1984, Angels' Ace, Mike Witt threw a clean slate at Texas in the last game of the 1984 season. Ten years later, the Rangers' Kenny Rogers beat the Halos by throwing a perfect game of his own. Both perfectos happened in Texas. Witt's was at old Arlington Stadium and Rogers was at The Ballpark in Arlington.
Baseball Card of the Week: The man who achieved perfection gets this week's honor. Here's a look at Philip Humber's Topps Card. It's #254 in the 2012 set.
Until next week folks, remember that baseball can show you something new every day.
-The Commisioner
