No Hitter - 6 pitchers combine to throw a no no

Friday night June 8th, six Seattle Mariners pitchers combined to no hit the Dodgers.   Kevin Millwood was warming up in the 7th and pulled a muscle and had to come out the game and the bullpen did the rest.    This is only the second time six pitchers have combined for a no hitter.  When was the other time?

IT WAS NINE YEARS AGO TODAY - JUNE 11, 2003

 (Pictured left to right, Brad Lidge, some guy, Billy Wagner, 

Octavio Dotel and some other guy.not pictured, Roy Oswalt.)

It was a June night, deep in enemy territory, out gunned and out manned, when a group of 6 ragtag Astros pitchers, with nothing but grit and their mitts, went out and no hit the almighty New York Yankees and I was there.   And I don't want to get all Dock Ellis on you, but I was on acid.  

ASTROS IN YANKEE STADIUM

In 2003 when the Astros played for the first time in Fenway and Yankee Stadium I had to be there.  I was working at SNL and lucky enough to use their season tickets right behind home plate.  I gave them to my brothers and nephew, who's a big Yankee fan, then my buddy Dogman and I scalped tickets for the upper deck. 

( T. Sean and Dogman, I realize 

he has his arm around me but we're just friends)

Now, I've only done acid 3 times in my life.  The first time was in college, it was a requirement for my major, and the second time I did acid, was right before entering the stadium that night.

The game was started by Roy Oswalt, who came out after 2 innings because of injury.  The 'stros brought in Pete Munro and Kirk Saarloos, who pitched innings 3-6.  It was sloppy, the Yankees loaded the bases in the 3rd, so I didn't even realize it was a no hitter.  I did notice how green the field was.  It was really green. 

In the seventh inning we noticed it was a no hitter.  Dogman told me we had to do another hit or we would jinx the no hitter.  I was in no condition to be responsible for blowing a no hitter, so being a team player, I took acid for the third time in my life.

Lidge, Dotell and Wagner had an easy time in the 7th, 8th, and 9th, thanks to dominating pitching and good vibes coming from the upper deck.

After the game I went down and met my brothers at their seats.

Everybody is happy.  My nephew got 2 balls, Pat's drunk, I'm feeling no pain and Charlie is sober and knows exactly what is going on.

After the game, we went to a bar and I called information in San Francisco looking for Dock Ellis' phone number because I knew he would want to hear about it.  Luckily, he wasn't listed.  It was still an amazing night.

That's the way it was.  9 years ago today. 

1973 Rookie Third Basemen Card

Baseball Card Friday - 1973 Rookie Third Basemen

Mike Schmidt, John Hilton and Ron Cey

The rookies on this card went on to hit 870 home runs and make 18 All-Star games, which might be a record for rookie cards, I'm not that much of a nerd to know if it is but it's an impressive stat.

RON CEY
Ron Cey or the Penguin was part of the legendary Dodger All-Star infield with Garvey, Lopes and Russell, and played the last half of his career as a Cub.  He was co-MVP of the 1981 World Series helping the Dodgers beat New York.


MIKE SCHMIDT
Mike Schmidt went on to become one of the greatest third basemen in the game.  Anytime I went to an Astros-Phillies game growing up, that guy hit a home run.  He was an Astros killer.  I looked it up once and of his over 548 homerun I'm pretty sure it said 479 of them were against the Astros.  (It might have been 497, I might be mixing those two numbers up.)  Mike Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.  Here are just a few of his accomplishments.

1. 3 time MVP of the National League
2. World Series MVP
3. 12 time All Star
4. 10 Gold Glove Winner
5. 8 time NL Home Run Champ

JOHN HILTON
Most people would crumble under the pressure of being on a card with 2 of the best third basemen of that era, but not John Hilton.  Not him.  You can't break him.  What did he do?

He changed his name to Dave and moved to second base.

 
Also he tried to move to a different city, Washington D.C. but the league nixed that, so this card turned out to be a misprint.

John Dave Hilton is from Texas and went to Rice and played in the big leagues for 4 years. 
So that's 4 more years than I played so I think Mr. Hilton is super kick ass.   Plus he got to be on a card with Cey and Schmidt.  How cool is that?  And he's a Texan.

I declare today John Dave Hilton day!!!

Have a great John Dave Hilton day as well as a good weekend.

I have to go finish an outline.

Stephen Drew - Justin Upton - Ken Kendricks - T. Sean Shannon

Diamondbacks Managing Partner Ken Kendrick

Ken Kendrick, the managing partner, which is the person who helps oversee the club for the owners, went on the radio yesterday and expressed his disappointment in Arizona's 27 - 30 record.  He mentioned Stephen Drew and Justin Upton. 

I always confuse Justin with his brother B.J. Upton.  Which one is a talented but moody and surly?

Anyway, Ken Kendrick,  basically said Upton wasn't putting up the numbers he did last year and that's disappointing.  It was no big deal, just the media trying to fill up the 24 hour news cycle and stir up trouble with a player known to have a short fuse.

On the other hand, what Mr. Kendricks said about Stephen Drew I found interesting.  

On Drew: “I’m going to be real direct about Stephen. I think Stephen should have been out there playing before now, frankly. I, for one, am disappointed. I’m going to be real candid and say Stephen and his representatives are more focused on where Stephen is going to be a year from now than on going out and supporting the team that’s paying his salary.”

What can you do?: “All you can do is hope that the player is treating the situation with integrity. Frankly, we have our concerns.”

Have you talked to Drew?: “I have not, really, I don’t think it’s my place to do so, but others have.”

How did Drew respond?: “I think he (long pause) was not very direct. He needs more time to get ready. I’m speaking from his perspective.”

 Wow!  How cool is that.  Mr. Kendricks even used mean old man phrases like "I'm going to be real direct", "Frankly I, for one," and "treating the situation with integrity". 

He sounds like Senator Geary from Godfather II.

I like this guy Kendricks.  Obvious a guy who has had the Puritan work ethic instilled in him as a youth.  And since it's his money he should be able to say what he wants.  

Mr. Drew is represented by Scott Boras who prides himself in making teams overpay for players and I'm sure Mr. Kendricks feels like Senator Geary towards Scott Boras.
   
       "I don't like your kind of people...  try to pass yourself off as decent Americans."


Scott Boras pulled a quick one on the Phillies in '94 when they drafted J.D. Drew 2nd overall and then refused to sign a contract for less than 10 million guarantee, and chose rather to sit out the year.  Now that I think about it, Stephen and J.D. are brothers.

So what makes Kendricks suspect Stephen Drew and Scott Boras are more worried about Mr. Drew's next paycheck and not earning the $7,750,000 that the Diamondbacks are obligated to pay Mr. Drew whether he plays or not? 

If Stephen Drew isn't treating "the situation with integrity", he better pray Arizona's manager Kirk Gibson doesn't find out he's goldbricking,  If that happens, Mr. Drew is going to catch a beating.

God Bless Mr. Kendricks for trying to get the most for his dollar.  

Stay Classy, San Diego

Poor San Diego, the Padres have never had a no-hitter in their history.

They've been on the other end of no hitters numerous times including being no-hit by Dock Ellis when he was on acid, but fear not, San Diego I'm here for you.  Gather round, I'm the man who can cure your problem, pay attention, because listening don't cost a dime, and if you believe that we're going to get a long real fine.

First up let's look at your history.  In 1970, San Diego pitcher Clay Kirby had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning but was pulled by manager Preston Gomez for a pinch-hitter.  What?  Sounds like you cursed yourself, but don't panic.  I have the solution.

Sadly Preston Gomez passed away in 2009 so he can not come back and take off the curse.  Here's what you have to do.  Dig up Preston Gomez and make a soup from his bones and feed it to the entire pitching staff.  I guarantee you will have a no-hitter within 2 months.

Maybe you don't love your team enough to commit to such a task, but I have other solutions...

This next idea is a long term plan.  You need to go around and collect semen from great pitchers like Sandy Kofax, Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Justin Verlander, just to name a few and then grab some tall, voluptuous San Diego beach girls and impregnate them.  If you have 30 kids, one of them will pitch a no-hitter by 2037.  The problem with this plan is you'll end up with some ladies who look like Randy Johnson.  But that's not my problem, that's yours.  I'm sure you'll figure it out.

My last solution is the easiest for the Padres to get a no-hitter.    The Astros have 10 no-hitters in their history.  Get Bud Selig to force the Astros to sell you a no-hitter.  He strong armed the Astros into moving next year into the American League.  I'm sure Mr. Selig can make it happen.  Bud's the guy who let an All-Star game in his home stadium end in a tie.  It appears he can do anything.

BASEBALL CARD THEATER - giving out messages

It's Tuesday, so that means it's time for Baseball Card Theater.

This episode features Bob Watson, Sparky Anderson, Ken Schrom, Seth Morehead and James McDonald just to name a few. 

If you don't know James McDonald he's a pitcher for the Pirates worth checking out.  Impressive right hander having a good year. 

Have a great day.  Proclaim your rarity. 

Johan Santana and the St. Louis News Paper

Johan Santana, I think he's number 57, pitched a no hitter Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming the first New York Met to accomplish this amazing feat.

There was a call missed by the umpire in the 6th inning that took away a hit from Carlos Beltran.  That's the way it goes.   All the players took it in stride including Mr. Beltran. 

But some paper in St. Louis ran the headline NO HITTER with an asterisk after it.  

I did not read the article, but if it was a thumb of the nose to baseball nerds and purest who live and die by records, numbers and the dusty history of the game, than kudos to the intrepid St. Louis paper.

The time is now for those scoundrels to receive their comeuppance.  The people in baseball responsible for putting an asterisk next to Roger Maris record or keeping the greatest hitter of all time out of the Hall of Fame deserve a good lashing.

Speaking of all those baseball nerds and purest, I hope you questioned them about their silence about the Astros getting date-raped and forced into the American league?
I think it's brave if your article is attacking baseball sticks in the mud.

On the other hand, if the article is your way of saying it wasn't really a no-hitter, then go blow yourself. 

TOM NIETO Cardinals 1986

Baseball Card Friday

Tom Nieto.  I pronounce it Neat-o, but this baseball card is anything but that.  It looks like he chasing a passed ball, his helmet is on crooked, not the best action shot. 

When I see cards I always think about showing the card to your kid years later.

I'm all about putting a good spin on a card but this one is a hard one to explain. 

"You see son, there was a big play at the plate and Pete Rose was rounding third, so I let the ball go by me, so he wouldn't Ray Fosse me."

or

"John Tudor was pitching and those lefties always throw it in the dirt and expect me to dig it out.  That was credited as a wild pitch, not a pass ball."


In 1986,  Topps had photos of all the Cardinal catchers in action.  Randy Hunt looks cool.  His hat flying off as he goes for a pop up behind the plate.

 Mike Heath is on the field and looks like he's tracking down a bunt laid down by speedster, Tim Raines.

But poor Tom Nieto is chasing a passed ball.  Luckily that wasn't Mr. Nieto's only card.

Here he is as an Expos.

And his 87 is not the best card, but it's easier to explain than chasing a ball.

"Dad, what's with your eyebrows."

"Son, that was long before man-scaping.  I was a baseball player.  My appearance wasn't my main focus.  This was in '87, before the emasculation of men happened."

Have a great weekend.