Number 20
April 21, 2012 3:34 PM Subscribe
That was one of the weirder last outs.
Plus, Fox leaves the Yankees / Red Sox game at 9-0, and all of a sudden it's 9-8.
posted by dirigibleman at 3:40 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Plus, Fox leaves the Yankees / Red Sox game at 9-0, and all of a sudden it's 9-8.
posted by dirigibleman at 3:40 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
22nd perfect game, you mean...
*cough*Jim Joyce*cough*
Congrats to Humber.
posted by joe lisboa at 3:41 PM on April 21, 2012 [15 favorites]
*cough*Jim Joyce*cough*
Congrats to Humber.
posted by joe lisboa at 3:41 PM on April 21, 2012 [15 favorites]
I'm in Brisbane, Queensland and have been half-watching Red Sox/Yankees this morning on Fox Sports 3. When the US Fox feed went over to Seattle/Chicago, the Australia feed stayed on this game. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver quit announcing, presumably because they figured no one was watching this one anymore, and I got most of the top of seventh (at least the parts leading up and through the Yanks scoring six to make it 9-7 Sox) with nothing but the sounds of the game and the stadium to listen to.
MLB should really supply an alternate audio track free of all announcing - especially free of all Joe Buck and Tim McCarver - for those of us just looking for a little beautiful background noise on a Sunday morning.
posted by GamblingBlues at 3:42 PM on April 21, 2012 [39 favorites]
MLB should really supply an alternate audio track free of all announcing - especially free of all Joe Buck and Tim McCarver - for those of us just looking for a little beautiful background noise on a Sunday morning.
posted by GamblingBlues at 3:42 PM on April 21, 2012 [39 favorites]
MLB should really supply an alternate audio track free of all announcing - especially free of all Joe Buck and Tim McCarver - for those of us just looking for a little beautiful background noise on a Sunday morning.
I'd be all for that, actually. When I lived in Phoenix (during the glorious year of 2001 when the Diamondbacks won the world series), the local station which carried literally 80% of all the games had a really good surround sound track which had the announcers coming only from the front center speaker. I could turn that one off and just have a full surround picture of the actual ambience of the ballpark to watch the game to. It was amazing, and would be my preferred way to watch ball games.
posted by hippybear at 3:47 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'd be all for that, actually. When I lived in Phoenix (during the glorious year of 2001 when the Diamondbacks won the world series), the local station which carried literally 80% of all the games had a really good surround sound track which had the announcers coming only from the front center speaker. I could turn that one off and just have a full surround picture of the actual ambience of the ballpark to watch the game to. It was amazing, and would be my preferred way to watch ball games.
posted by hippybear at 3:47 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
MLB should really supply an alternate audio track free of all announcing - especially free of all Joe Buck and Tim McCarver - for those of us just looking for a little beautiful background noise on a Sunday morning.
If you have a 5.1 receiver, you can disconnect the center speaker, which sometimes cuts out the announcers while allowing crowd noise. That doesn't seem to work for this game, though.
(Or, on preview, what hippybear said)
posted by dirigibleman at 3:49 PM on April 21, 2012
If you have a 5.1 receiver, you can disconnect the center speaker, which sometimes cuts out the announcers while allowing crowd noise. That doesn't seem to work for this game, though.
(Or, on preview, what hippybear said)
posted by dirigibleman at 3:49 PM on April 21, 2012
Throwing it out of the strike zone on a three-two pitch on the last out...man, that's fuckin' *balls*.
posted by notsnot at 3:51 PM on April 21, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by notsnot at 3:51 PM on April 21, 2012 [5 favorites]
Last night I went to Oakland Coliseum to watch the Indians play the A's - and yeah, it's a whole different experience to watch a game live, and seeing every play exactly once, in real-time, with no announcers. There's the constant white noise of the cheering crowd, the fresh outdoor air, and the continuous view of the green field.
Maybe the perfectly-lit field is just a nice change of pace from staring at a monitor all day. But if the pitcher does hit a no-hitter - you're there, with a hometown crowd of fans, and you're all cheering together.
posted by destinyland at 3:53 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Maybe the perfectly-lit field is just a nice change of pace from staring at a monitor all day. But if the pitcher does hit a no-hitter - you're there, with a hometown crowd of fans, and you're all cheering together.
posted by destinyland at 3:53 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Buck and McCarver: why God invented the mute button. And yeah, it's weird that in 2012, watching a game on our magic networked media devices, we still can't choose to listen to radio commentators or just crowd noise rather than the inane national TV guys.
I've liked Humber since he was in the Mets' system and am very glad to see him make good (though sad he couldn't have pitched the Mets' first no-hitter). Anyhow, that was a great performance even against the utterly hapless Mariners lineup. I've been surprised, the last few years, that more than one organization gave up on him; I'm still not sure what the Twins or Royals were thinking, since it's not like they couldn't use a guy whose downside is that he's still cheap, okay rotation filler.
posted by RogerB at 3:53 PM on April 21, 2012
I've liked Humber since he was in the Mets' system and am very glad to see him make good (though sad he couldn't have pitched the Mets' first no-hitter). Anyhow, that was a great performance even against the utterly hapless Mariners lineup. I've been surprised, the last few years, that more than one organization gave up on him; I'm still not sure what the Twins or Royals were thinking, since it's not like they couldn't use a guy whose downside is that he's still cheap, okay rotation filler.
posted by RogerB at 3:53 PM on April 21, 2012
Who *likes* those guys? I mean, who gave them a job on a national network?
posted by maryr at 3:57 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 3:57 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Just for today I will pretend there's a truce between the Chicago teams.
posted by shakespeherian at 4:00 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by shakespeherian at 4:00 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Fun* fact: Humber is a former Mets prospect.
*Fact not "fun" for Mets fans still waiting for their first franchise no-hitter
posted by Ufez Jones at 4:02 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
*Fact not "fun" for Mets fans still waiting for their first franchise no-hitter
posted by Ufez Jones at 4:02 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've been surprised, the last few years, that more than one organization gave up on him...
He was 10-10 on Friday. Don't mistake him for Roy Halladay just yet.
posted by Etrigan at 4:07 PM on April 21, 2012
He was 10-10 on Friday. Don't mistake him for Roy Halladay just yet.
posted by Etrigan at 4:07 PM on April 21, 2012
happy for the kid. The number of former Mets to throw a no hitter/perfect game while the Mets have still never had one is eerie.
Wasn't happy when FOX cut away from Yankees/Sox, but was happy with the score when they came back.
posted by TravellingCari at 4:09 PM on April 21, 2012
Wasn't happy when FOX cut away from Yankees/Sox, but was happy with the score when they came back.
posted by TravellingCari at 4:09 PM on April 21, 2012
I actually don't mind Joe Buck so much. He's boring, but that's about it. And he actually has gotten more animated this year (he had surgery a few years ago that limited his vocal abilities).
Tim McCarver, on the other hand, is not nearly as clever as he thinks he is.
I do wish someone would bring Jon Miller back to the national stage, though.
posted by dirigibleman at 4:12 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Tim McCarver, on the other hand, is not nearly as clever as he thinks he is.
I do wish someone would bring Jon Miller back to the national stage, though.
posted by dirigibleman at 4:12 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
He was 10-10 on Friday. Don't mistake him for Roy Halladay just yet.
Seriously? You're quoting a pitcher's W-L record as an indicator of his ability? I begin to recall why this isn't where I usually go for informed baseball discussion.
posted by RogerB at 4:18 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
Seriously? You're quoting a pitcher's W-L record as an indicator of his ability? I begin to recall why this isn't where I usually go for informed baseball discussion.
posted by RogerB at 4:18 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
Man, they're booing the manager!
posted by dirigibleman at 4:22 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by dirigibleman at 4:22 PM on April 21, 2012
top of of 8th, 2 outs, NY 14 - Boston 9.
posted by Hoosier Prospector at 4:25 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by Hoosier Prospector at 4:25 PM on April 21, 2012
A discussion about a perfect game turns into a Red Sox vs. Yankees conversation - it's just like ESPN!
posted by MillMan at 4:27 PM on April 21, 2012 [26 favorites]
posted by MillMan at 4:27 PM on April 21, 2012 [26 favorites]
Has anyone found a clip of that last swing from the first base side? Fox understandably didn't want to spoil the moment by casting doubt on the strike call, I guess, but I'd like to see it. Looked pretty damn close to me.
Still, 26 uncontroversial outs and two uncontroversial strikes is good enough for me, so congrats to Humber.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 4:33 PM on April 21, 2012
Still, 26 uncontroversial outs and two uncontroversial strikes is good enough for me, so congrats to Humber.
posted by dixiecupdrinking at 4:33 PM on April 21, 2012
Wow. I was in US Cellular last week and saw Humber pitch against the Orioles; he left with a lead, but he was lousy, working deep into counts and allowing hard hits all night. There are about two hundred pitchers I'd have rated more likely to pitch a perfecto this week than him. But that's why we play the games!
posted by escabeche at 4:34 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by escabeche at 4:34 PM on April 21, 2012
The Red Sox went through three pitching changes in the 8th. At the top of the 9th, they'll be reading off a seat number to obtain today's lucky Guest Closer.
posted by Spatch at 4:34 PM on April 21, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by Spatch at 4:34 PM on April 21, 2012 [6 favorites]
*Fact not "fun" for Mets fans still waiting for their first franchise no-hitter
I'd trade the Brewers' one no hitter (and a few cycles) for one Mets-style World Series victory.
posted by drezdn at 4:35 PM on April 21, 2012
I'd trade the Brewers' one no hitter (and a few cycles) for one Mets-style World Series victory.
posted by drezdn at 4:35 PM on April 21, 2012
The Red Sox went through three pitching changes in the 8th. At the top of the 9th, they'll be reading off a seat number to obtain today's lucky Guest Closer.
I just can't decide if Tito would be doing a better job with this 'team' or not. Sometimes it's the talent, sometimes it's the manager....
posted by anastasiav at 4:37 PM on April 21, 2012
I just can't decide if Tito would be doing a better job with this 'team' or not. Sometimes it's the talent, sometimes it's the manager....
posted by anastasiav at 4:37 PM on April 21, 2012
Can somebody explain why they had to throw the ball to first?
posted by norabarnacl3 at 4:39 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by norabarnacl3 at 4:39 PM on April 21, 2012
I BELIEVE IN ARMANDO GALARRAGA.
posted by kbanas at 4:39 PM on April 21, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by kbanas at 4:39 PM on April 21, 2012 [8 favorites]
Can somebody explain why they had to throw the ball to first?
That's a good question. He thought he checked his swing, so it would have been a walk, right? So he started to go walk.
But the umpire called that it wasn't a check - that he swung - so it was a strike, so he was out.
I think that's that - so he maybe didn't technically have to throw it? Maybe it was just for insurance, in case they reversed the call or something? But even that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
posted by kbanas at 4:41 PM on April 21, 2012
That's a good question. He thought he checked his swing, so it would have been a walk, right? So he started to go walk.
But the umpire called that it wasn't a check - that he swung - so it was a strike, so he was out.
I think that's that - so he maybe didn't technically have to throw it? Maybe it was just for insurance, in case they reversed the call or something? But even that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
posted by kbanas at 4:41 PM on April 21, 2012
I haven't seen the footage yet, but a catcher has to tag the batter on called third strikes. That's why it's possible for a pitcher to get four strike outs in one inning.
posted by drezdn at 4:42 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by drezdn at 4:42 PM on April 21, 2012
Maybe it was just for insurance, in case they reversed the call or something? But even that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I actually think it's because the ball was in the dirt, and the catcher wanted extra insurance in case it was somehow called a passed ball.
posted by anastasiav at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
I actually think it's because the ball was in the dirt, and the catcher wanted extra insurance in case it was somehow called a passed ball.
posted by anastasiav at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
Has anyone found a clip of that last swing from the first base side?
It wouldn't matter. A check swing can still be a strike while the thick end of the bat is pointed away from the pitcher. If an ump thinks the batter swung, it's a strike.
However, it sure looked to me like check swing ball four.
posted by rcade at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
It wouldn't matter. A check swing can still be a strike while the thick end of the bat is pointed away from the pitcher. If an ump thinks the batter swung, it's a strike.
However, it sure looked to me like check swing ball four.
posted by rcade at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
I haven't seen the footage yet, but a catcher has to tag the batter on called third strikes. That's why it's possible for a pitcher to get four strike outs in one inning.
Really? I had no idea. I thought the ump just made his punch-out motion and that was that. So, the catcher has to actually reach over and swipe him? So, theoretically, if the ball and really gotten away from the catcher, the hitter could have made it to first?
posted by kbanas at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
Really? I had no idea. I thought the ump just made his punch-out motion and that was that. So, the catcher has to actually reach over and swipe him? So, theoretically, if the ball and really gotten away from the catcher, the hitter could have made it to first?
posted by kbanas at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2012
In baseball a swinging third strike that isn't caught by the catcher allows the batter to attempt to advance to first. The batter can either be tagged out by the catcher if he picks it up quick enough, or he can be putout by a force a first base.
(On preview: but a catcher has to tag the batter on called third strikes
Incorrect. The catcher has to tag/throw to first the batter on swinging third strikes that aren't caught by the catcher.)
posted by skynxnex at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
(On preview: but a catcher has to tag the batter on called third strikes
Incorrect. The catcher has to tag/throw to first the batter on swinging third strikes that aren't caught by the catcher.)
posted by skynxnex at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Fox understandably didn't want to spoil the moment by casting doubt on the strike call, I guess, but I'd like to see it. Looked pretty damn close to me.
Close to what, exactly? You know there's no rulebook definition of a checked swing, but that it's the umpire's judgment whether the batter "struck at" the pitch or not, right? Anyhow, I've watched the game-ending clip a bunch of times now, and it's pretty clear that Ryan went nearly all the way around. It was a fair call.
Can somebody explain why they had to throw the ball to first?
To complete the strikeout, because the catcher dropped the ball.
posted by RogerB at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Close to what, exactly? You know there's no rulebook definition of a checked swing, but that it's the umpire's judgment whether the batter "struck at" the pitch or not, right? Anyhow, I've watched the game-ending clip a bunch of times now, and it's pretty clear that Ryan went nearly all the way around. It was a fair call.
Can somebody explain why they had to throw the ball to first?
To complete the strikeout, because the catcher dropped the ball.
posted by RogerB at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
For as slow and leisurely paced as baseball generally is, there is so much more I do not understand about the intricacies of the rules, versus say, baseball or football.
posted by kbanas at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by kbanas at 4:44 PM on April 21, 2012
Er, meant to link to this in my previous comment: Wikipedia on Uncaught third strikes.
posted by skynxnex at 4:45 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by skynxnex at 4:45 PM on April 21, 2012
Incorrect.
Yup, I realized it after I posted.
Here's relevant text...
Just how is this feat achievable? A batter with two strikes on him takes a swing at strike three; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly, and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.
posted by drezdn at 4:46 PM on April 21, 2012
Yup, I realized it after I posted.
Here's relevant text...
Just how is this feat achievable? A batter with two strikes on him takes a swing at strike three; however, the catcher does not field the ball cleanly, and instead of tagging the runner out, the runner reaches. The strikeout is recorded, but not the out.
posted by drezdn at 4:46 PM on April 21, 2012
I live in Seattle, and was in a Costco, and there was a big crowd in front of the TV section. I looked and saw the Mariners were losing 4-0, so I walked away, not knowing what was at stake. A few minutes later, I heard a cheer go up. I thought, "What the hell are all these Chicago fans doing here in Seattle?"
In 1991, when Dennis Martinez threw his against the Dodgers, I was working the sports desk for an L.A. paper. I called our writer at the park and asked him how things were going. "This game is boring as shit and the Dodgers don't have any goddamn offense." An hour later, he calls me back. "Uhh, Martinez is perfect through six..."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:53 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
In 1991, when Dennis Martinez threw his against the Dodgers, I was working the sports desk for an L.A. paper. I called our writer at the park and asked him how things were going. "This game is boring as shit and the Dodgers don't have any goddamn offense." An hour later, he calls me back. "Uhh, Martinez is perfect through six..."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:53 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
I actually don't mind Joe Buck so much. He's boring, but that's about it.
It's Buck's tone and delivery. It's very...FOX. Flip back and forth between a Buck game and FOX News and tell me which is which. It's like he's trying to imply some sort of scandal is about to break loose with the very next pitch. It's not the delivery of someone who enjoys baseball. Honestly, it's like the guy would rather be anywhere else but at a ball game.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:54 PM on April 21, 2012 [6 favorites]
It's Buck's tone and delivery. It's very...FOX. Flip back and forth between a Buck game and FOX News and tell me which is which. It's like he's trying to imply some sort of scandal is about to break loose with the very next pitch. It's not the delivery of someone who enjoys baseball. Honestly, it's like the guy would rather be anywhere else but at a ball game.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:54 PM on April 21, 2012 [6 favorites]
Dear Mets fans: remember you traded this guy (and some other assorted garbage) for Johan freakin' Santana, a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Trust me, you'd rather have your 4 years (and counting) of Santana than 9 innings of Humber.
Another fun fact for the statheads out there (and not to take away from Mr. Humber's accomplishment), is that not a single Mariner in the starting lineup today had an On-Base Percentage above .300 going into the game.
Crap, just realized that AJ Pierzynski caught the game too. /bitter Twins fan
posted by antonymous at 5:19 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Another fun fact for the statheads out there (and not to take away from Mr. Humber's accomplishment), is that not a single Mariner in the starting lineup today had an On-Base Percentage above .300 going into the game.
Crap, just realized that AJ Pierzynski caught the game too. /bitter Twins fan
posted by antonymous at 5:19 PM on April 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Doesn't matter how close the swing was in anyone's opinion but the umpire's, and in that situation the batter ain't getting the benefit of the doubt. This is probably even more true after the ump blew that call that cost a perfect game a couple of years ago.
posted by azpenguin at 5:21 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by azpenguin at 5:21 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Seriously? You're quoting a pitcher's W-L record as an indicator of his ability?
You're the one who's giving the pitcher all the credit for a perfect game and using it to express surprise at the fact that three other teams "gave up on him." If he gets the credit for the perfect game, he gets credit for losing half of the games he's pitched leading up to it, too. There's a reason only two pitchers are in the HoF with losing records (and no, I'm not counting Satchel Paige, and we all know the reason for that).
posted by Etrigan at 5:37 PM on April 21, 2012
You're the one who's giving the pitcher all the credit for a perfect game and using it to express surprise at the fact that three other teams "gave up on him." If he gets the credit for the perfect game, he gets credit for losing half of the games he's pitched leading up to it, too. There's a reason only two pitchers are in the HoF with losing records (and no, I'm not counting Satchel Paige, and we all know the reason for that).
posted by Etrigan at 5:37 PM on April 21, 2012
Seriously? You're quoting a pitcher's W-L record as an indicator of his ability?
Of course he is -- at least, for starters, it is a very useful tell. Yes, part of winning is having a good defense behind you, but a big part of winning is making sure that the batters are having trouble hitting the ball. And, of course, if I keep putting batters on base without them making contact, then that's not helping my cause.
W-L is not a *direct* measure of ability, and can be dramatically affected by a very good offense on the pitcher's side, or a very bad defense on the pitchers side. But the good pitchers with losing records are notably rare, and usually stand out because they've had winning records in other seasons.
Or, of course, they're a reliever, for whom winning a game is very hard, but losing a game is easier. That's why we do ignore W-L records for relievers and use saves and blown saves to measure them.
posted by eriko at 6:05 PM on April 21, 2012
Of course he is -- at least, for starters, it is a very useful tell. Yes, part of winning is having a good defense behind you, but a big part of winning is making sure that the batters are having trouble hitting the ball. And, of course, if I keep putting batters on base without them making contact, then that's not helping my cause.
W-L is not a *direct* measure of ability, and can be dramatically affected by a very good offense on the pitcher's side, or a very bad defense on the pitchers side. But the good pitchers with losing records are notably rare, and usually stand out because they've had winning records in other seasons.
Or, of course, they're a reliever, for whom winning a game is very hard, but losing a game is easier. That's why we do ignore W-L records for relievers and use saves and blown saves to measure them.
posted by eriko at 6:05 PM on April 21, 2012
If he gets the credit for the perfect game, he gets credit for losing half of the games he's pitched leading up to it, too.
Naw, dude, the entire objection to wins and losses as statistics is that they take into account the pitcher's own offense, which he has zero-to-very-little control over, depending on his league, and his bullpen, which can vulture or destroy an otherwise solid start (see above in re: the Sox bullpen wasting a gem from Felix Dubront).
Humber ain't Cy Young, but wins and losses ain't the way to prove it.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 6:08 PM on April 21, 2012
Naw, dude, the entire objection to wins and losses as statistics is that they take into account the pitcher's own offense, which he has zero-to-very-little control over, depending on his league, and his bullpen, which can vulture or destroy an otherwise solid start (see above in re: the Sox bullpen wasting a gem from Felix Dubront).
Humber ain't Cy Young, but wins and losses ain't the way to prove it.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 6:08 PM on April 21, 2012
I don't think anyone is "surprised" three other teams passed Humber. That happens in baseball - there are vanishingly few franchise players anymore. I think this is more like missing the lottery. "If only I'd had 3 5 13 23 45 instead of 1 3 5 32 54! I was so close!"
posted by maryr at 6:08 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by maryr at 6:08 PM on April 21, 2012
Good video taken from the bleachers of the last out.
Having watched this, i think the ump made the right call on the last pitch.
posted by 4ster at 6:12 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
Having watched this, i think the ump made the right call on the last pitch.
posted by 4ster at 6:12 PM on April 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
Awesome!
posted by Mental Wimp at 6:38 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by Mental Wimp at 6:38 PM on April 21, 2012
huh... I wonder if the hitter would have had a ghost of a chance if he ran flat out after the last pitch
posted by edgeways at 6:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by edgeways at 6:44 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
*cough*Jim Joyce*cough*
The only reason we noticed Jim Joyce's mistake is that it was on the last out. How many other "perfect games" were spoiled by mistakes in earlier innings? We'll never know.
posted by Mental Wimp at 6:46 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
The only reason we noticed Jim Joyce's mistake is that it was on the last out. How many other "perfect games" were spoiled by mistakes in earlier innings? We'll never know.
posted by Mental Wimp at 6:46 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Still wanting Verlander to get credit for his!
posted by skepticallypleased at 6:46 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by skepticallypleased at 6:46 PM on April 21, 2012
Even watching the videos gives me the shivers; all I can think is how badly I'd choke in a situation like that. I end up gritting my teeth and watching through my fingers in sympathy, even when I know how it ends, just in case the player chokes. One reason I like watching sports so much is that I'm so clearly emotionally unsuited to DO that sort of thing. Knowing I'm one strike away from a perfect game? I'd pitch the ball in the wrong direction, or bean the batter, or throw it three feet over the batter's head, or something similarly awful.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:56 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:56 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
On the rule for "uncaught third strike," above. The page has this text:
With two outs and the bases loaded, the catcher who fails to catch the third strike may, upon picking up the ball, step on home plate for a force-out or make a throw to any other fielder.
Isn't this open to abuse? Couldn't the catcher grab and drop the ball on purpose, pick it up, then stand on home plate and force out a runner on third when the bases are loaded?
posted by JHarris at 7:04 PM on April 21, 2012
With two outs and the bases loaded, the catcher who fails to catch the third strike may, upon picking up the ball, step on home plate for a force-out or make a throw to any other fielder.
Isn't this open to abuse? Couldn't the catcher grab and drop the ball on purpose, pick it up, then stand on home plate and force out a runner on third when the bases are loaded?
posted by JHarris at 7:04 PM on April 21, 2012
4ster, thanks for posting that!
I'm a die-hard White Sox fan--so obviously I'm elated by this whole situation. In the midst of my delirium through the ninth inning, I wasn't able to register everything that was happening. But even then, it did seem like the home crowd was responding to everything very graciously.
That video completely reinforces that.
Stay classy, Seattle. That was awesome.
posted by graphnerd at 7:11 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'm a die-hard White Sox fan--so obviously I'm elated by this whole situation. In the midst of my delirium through the ninth inning, I wasn't able to register everything that was happening. But even then, it did seem like the home crowd was responding to everything very graciously.
That video completely reinforces that.
Stay classy, Seattle. That was awesome.
posted by graphnerd at 7:11 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Isn't this open to abuse? Couldn't the catcher grab and drop the ball on purpose, pick it up, then stand on home plate and force out a runner on third when the bases are loaded?
Not really. The key phrase is "with two outs". Why would the catcher intentionally drop the third strike (which would end the inning) only to pick it up and step on home?
posted by graphnerd at 7:13 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Not really. The key phrase is "with two outs". Why would the catcher intentionally drop the third strike (which would end the inning) only to pick it up and step on home?
posted by graphnerd at 7:13 PM on April 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
If there are two outs, there's no real incentive for the catcher to drop the ball deliberately.
posted by dirigibleman at 7:13 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by dirigibleman at 7:13 PM on April 21, 2012
Also, an interview with the catcher (A.J. Prierzynksi, who missed catching Mark Buehrle's perfect game in 2009.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:21 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:21 PM on April 21, 2012
You guys get awfully worked up about the announcers. I can't understand letting them ruin a game for me.
posted by Brocktoon at 7:31 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by Brocktoon at 7:31 PM on April 21, 2012
No big deal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_vUhSYLRw14
posted by SounderCoo at 7:34 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by SounderCoo at 7:34 PM on April 21, 2012
How many other "perfect games" were spoiled by mistakes in earlier innings? We'll never know.
Well, it would be easy to check how many games had a single man on base in an early inning who never scored, and the rest of the game was straight-forward every-man-out, every inning. Baseball keeps box scores to help with exactly this research.
The thing is, if it's spoiled in early innings, then it's not ever even going to be considered as a candidate for a perfect game. And many a perfect game has been turned into a shut-out by someone getting onto base in the 7th inning or so, but still with nobody scoring.
Taking out 27 batters in a row is a feat for any pitcher and defensive ball team. It doesn't take much for that to go awry. That's why there's only been a couple of handfuls of them since the beginning of recorded major league history, which started in either 1869 or 1876, depending on what metric you use. Either way, that's still approaching 150 years of recorded games, and only 20 or 21 (or 22 depending on how you count) have happened.
posted by hippybear at 7:39 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Well, it would be easy to check how many games had a single man on base in an early inning who never scored, and the rest of the game was straight-forward every-man-out, every inning. Baseball keeps box scores to help with exactly this research.
The thing is, if it's spoiled in early innings, then it's not ever even going to be considered as a candidate for a perfect game. And many a perfect game has been turned into a shut-out by someone getting onto base in the 7th inning or so, but still with nobody scoring.
Taking out 27 batters in a row is a feat for any pitcher and defensive ball team. It doesn't take much for that to go awry. That's why there's only been a couple of handfuls of them since the beginning of recorded major league history, which started in either 1869 or 1876, depending on what metric you use. Either way, that's still approaching 150 years of recorded games, and only 20 or 21 (or 22 depending on how you count) have happened.
posted by hippybear at 7:39 PM on April 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
Dammit.
I looked at the Seattle Mariners schedule a few weeks ago, and noticed that today was Free Compost Container Day. As composting is now mandatory in Seattle, and I don't have a decent compost container, I wanted to go. However, as soon as I left the page, so did the thought, and I didn't think of it again until I saw a woman with two Mariners branded compost containers.
I missed a chance to see history here. And get a compost container.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:11 PM on April 21, 2012 [8 favorites]
I looked at the Seattle Mariners schedule a few weeks ago, and noticed that today was Free Compost Container Day. As composting is now mandatory in Seattle, and I don't have a decent compost container, I wanted to go. However, as soon as I left the page, so did the thought, and I didn't think of it again until I saw a woman with two Mariners branded compost containers.
I missed a chance to see history here. And get a compost container.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:11 PM on April 21, 2012 [8 favorites]
Re: 3rd strike, that is true. Silly me for not realizing that.
posted by JHarris at 8:40 PM on April 21, 2012
posted by JHarris at 8:40 PM on April 21, 2012
The last out was marginal. The plate ump called a strike, and I am not sure he went around. I also do not know whether the batter has the option of getting the base umpire's call.
But, with another perfect game blown by an ump several years ago, I am sure that every guy in blue on that field was saying "please don't let me blow a perfect game."
I am glad it turned out that way. The batter could have let the ball go and walked but he went around/changed his mind and let the ump ring him up. The catcher made a great play.
posted by Danf at 9:52 PM on April 21, 2012
But, with another perfect game blown by an ump several years ago, I am sure that every guy in blue on that field was saying "please don't let me blow a perfect game."
I am glad it turned out that way. The batter could have let the ball go and walked but he went around/changed his mind and let the ump ring him up. The catcher made a great play.
posted by Danf at 9:52 PM on April 21, 2012
I was there, row 13 behind home plate, with a non-baseball pall friend (and old-time Mefite). I literally had tried to give the ticket away to at least ten baseball-fan friends.
In the MLB.tv last out, I, at least, can hear my agonized yelps. I may stay mad all year.
posted by mwhybark at 11:45 PM on April 21, 2012
In the MLB.tv last out, I, at least, can hear my agonized yelps. I may stay mad all year.
posted by mwhybark at 11:45 PM on April 21, 2012
also, regarding no-commentary ball: third-party rendered streams of MLB.tv (Boxee for sure, perhaps others) provide three mono channels to choose from. Channel 3 is either ambient park audio or non-English broadcasters, Spanish so far that I have found. I am not sure if they increase the nmber of available tracks for multiple broadcasts beyond two.
This same option seems to be selectable in NPB streams, but since I get my NBP via reflectors, I take what I can get.
posted by mwhybark at 11:50 PM on April 21, 2012
This same option seems to be selectable in NPB streams, but since I get my NBP via reflectors, I take what I can get.
posted by mwhybark at 11:50 PM on April 21, 2012
I had tickets to the game. But we decided not to go, because we'd already been to Opening Day (which was miserable because the credit card machines went out, it was freezing, and I got sick) and to Tuesday's game (when the M's scored six in the bottom of the fourth to take an 8-1 lead, only to concede 7 in the top of the 4th to make it 8-8) and, honestly, we were sick of watching the M's lose while freezing in the stands and eating overpriced upper deck food.
So we didn't go.
The true baseball fan in me is mad, but the Mariners fan in me knows it was the right decision. I'm actually considering selling the rest of my 16-game plan. I've had enough of this low rent, inept baseball.
posted by dw at 12:15 AM on April 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
So we didn't go.
The true baseball fan in me is mad, but the Mariners fan in me knows it was the right decision. I'm actually considering selling the rest of my 16-game plan. I've had enough of this low rent, inept baseball.
posted by dw at 12:15 AM on April 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
i hear ya, dw. i watched that Tuesday game and then the incredible, unforgettable total giveaway of that Felix game this week. My tix today were the freebie make-goods for the opener. At least Iwakuma looked good on Friday. sigh.
posted by mwhybark at 12:26 AM on April 22, 2012
posted by mwhybark at 12:26 AM on April 22, 2012
I've had enough of this low rent, inept baseball.
Obviously not a Mariners fan.
posted by The Hamms Bear at 12:32 AM on April 22, 2012
Obviously not a Mariners fan.
posted by The Hamms Bear at 12:32 AM on April 22, 2012
Hey dw, try being a Pirates fan.
We're easily on our way to our 20th straight losing season.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 1:15 AM on April 22, 2012
We're easily on our way to our 20th straight losing season.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 1:15 AM on April 22, 2012
I made a slowed down GIF of the check-swing from the video in 4ster's comment.
posted by Rhomboid at 1:30 AM on April 22, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by Rhomboid at 1:30 AM on April 22, 2012 [6 favorites]
mwhybark: "also, regarding no-commentary ball: third-party rendered streams of MLB.tv (Boxee for sure, perhaps others) provide three mono channels to choose from. Channel 3 is either ambient park audio or non-English broadcasters, Spanish so far that I have found. I am not sure if they increase the nmber of available tracks for multiple broadcasts beyond two.
This same option seems to be selectable in NPB streams, but since I get my NBP via reflectors, I take what I can get."
This is a feature of MLB.tv in general. If you have it going on your computer, hover over the bottom third of the video and click "Change Broadcast" or something like that. Having the video feed of the home team allows "PARK" to be chosen as an audio overlay, in addition to the radio feed of the home team. Choosing the away team's video feed limits you to overlaying just the radio feed of the away team.
posted by fireoyster at 1:46 AM on April 22, 2012
This same option seems to be selectable in NPB streams, but since I get my NBP via reflectors, I take what I can get."
This is a feature of MLB.tv in general. If you have it going on your computer, hover over the bottom third of the video and click "Change Broadcast" or something like that. Having the video feed of the home team allows "PARK" to be chosen as an audio overlay, in addition to the radio feed of the home team. Choosing the away team's video feed limits you to overlaying just the radio feed of the away team.
posted by fireoyster at 1:46 AM on April 22, 2012
I also do not know whether the batter has the option of getting the base umpire's call.
No. A batter cannot contest called balls and strikes. A batter can only inquire as to whether the pitch was high/low, inside/outside, etc. Which can be a sort of gentleman's way of letting the umpire know you disagree with the call.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:31 AM on April 22, 2012
No. A batter cannot contest called balls and strikes. A batter can only inquire as to whether the pitch was high/low, inside/outside, etc. Which can be a sort of gentleman's way of letting the umpire know you disagree with the call.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:31 AM on April 22, 2012
Here is an interesting perspective on this perfect game that gives a little context for hitting is like this year compared to other years.
posted by 4ster at 5:02 AM on April 22, 2012
posted by 4ster at 5:02 AM on April 22, 2012
Looking at Rhomboid's GIF, I was wrong earlier to think that was a successful check swing.
posted by rcade at 5:52 AM on April 22, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by rcade at 5:52 AM on April 22, 2012 [3 favorites]
23? Pedro Martinez once pitched nine perfect innings, but his team didn't score a run and he gave up a double in the tenth. I cannot imagine the frustration.
posted by benbenson at 7:41 AM on April 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by benbenson at 7:41 AM on April 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
I made a slowed down GIF of the check-swing from the video in 4ster's comment.
Strike Three! The bat crossed over the front of the plate. A base umpire would have called it a strike.
posted by Danf at 7:49 AM on April 22, 2012
Wins aren't completely meaningless, but 10-10 is completely meaningless. If you're talking about a whole career, people who end up with significantly better W/L records than they should (Andy Pettitte) or worse (Bert Blyleven) are pretty rare. But 20 decisions? Meaningless. Take a look at Clemens '96, Mussina '00, Ryan '87. Ryan led the NL in ERA and went 8-16!
posted by mellow seas at 10:09 AM on April 22, 2012
posted by mellow seas at 10:09 AM on April 22, 2012
And while perfect games are cool, and Humber did pitch wonderfully, there's a big element of luck in pitching a perfect game. Over the course of 27 hitters, something is usually going to fall in. I think the 20 strikeout, one hit games from Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood are the most impressive pitching performances of all time.
The rate of perfect games has also shot up considerably in the last 20 years, which is interesting because on-base percentage hasn't gone down. There seems to be a greater variation in day-to-day offense than back in the days where a hitter striking out 100 times in a season was a ton, and only tolerated from superstars like Mickey Mantle, instead of average.
posted by mellow seas at 10:14 AM on April 22, 2012
The rate of perfect games has also shot up considerably in the last 20 years, which is interesting because on-base percentage hasn't gone down. There seems to be a greater variation in day-to-day offense than back in the days where a hitter striking out 100 times in a season was a ton, and only tolerated from superstars like Mickey Mantle, instead of average.
posted by mellow seas at 10:14 AM on April 22, 2012
> Who *likes* those guys? I mean, who gave them a job on a national network?
When I started watching baseball in the 1990s -- I didn't grow up with it -- I liked them. They did a good job of explaining the game.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:54 AM on April 22, 2012
When I started watching baseball in the 1990s -- I didn't grow up with it -- I liked them. They did a good job of explaining the game.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:54 AM on April 22, 2012
Joe Buck is the son of the greatest commentator of all time Jack Buck, that is how he got the job. Also, his voice is usually soothing to most St. Louisans.
posted by schyler523 at 11:33 AM on April 22, 2012
posted by schyler523 at 11:33 AM on April 22, 2012
You know, I really don't mind Buck and McCarver.
Of course, I'm the guy that grew up with Vin Scully and now just don't get the poetry any more. It's too much.
"There's a long fly, framed against the azure sky. Gravity is taking hold, and the graceful ballistic arc returns the ball to earth where it nestles softly in the buttery Mizuno leather. And there's one away."
Yeah. I've got eight more innings of this. Beer me, dude.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:38 PM on April 22, 2012
Of course, I'm the guy that grew up with Vin Scully and now just don't get the poetry any more. It's too much.
"There's a long fly, framed against the azure sky. Gravity is taking hold, and the graceful ballistic arc returns the ball to earth where it nestles softly in the buttery Mizuno leather. And there's one away."
Yeah. I've got eight more innings of this. Beer me, dude.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:38 PM on April 22, 2012
Well, it would be easy to check how many games had a single man on base in an early inning who never scored, and the rest of the game was straight-forward every-man-out, every inning. Baseball keeps box scores to help with exactly this research.
That doesn't mean a bad call spoiled a perfect game. It's just means that game is a candidate for that status.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:48 PM on April 22, 2012
That doesn't mean a bad call spoiled a perfect game. It's just means that game is a candidate for that status.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:48 PM on April 22, 2012
if memory serves me aj had another dropped third strike to end a game last week. and aj himself reached first on a strike three call a year or so ago.
posted by lester's sock puppet at 3:32 PM on April 22, 2012
posted by lester's sock puppet at 3:32 PM on April 22, 2012
An analysis of perfect game frequency from 2010, at the NYT baseball blogs.
The writer concludes there has been no change in frequency or distribution over time, which seems to me to indicate I either misread the conclusion, the premises, or both.
posted by mwhybark at 3:37 PM on April 22, 2012
The writer concludes there has been no change in frequency or distribution over time, which seems to me to indicate I either misread the conclusion, the premises, or both.
posted by mwhybark at 3:37 PM on April 22, 2012
For anyone who went to today's Mariners game, it was Free Dirt Day.
How to celebrate Earth Day - literally.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:23 PM on April 22, 2012
How to celebrate Earth Day - literally.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:23 PM on April 22, 2012
SI with an update of sorts on the analysis above.
(i cant believe i am linking to Sports Illustrated. The world has changed - I can feel it in the water.)
posted by mwhybark at 5:39 PM on April 22, 2012
(i cant believe i am linking to Sports Illustrated. The world has changed - I can feel it in the water.)
posted by mwhybark at 5:39 PM on April 22, 2012
And here's The Economist's take. One thing that seems to get glossed over in all these analyses is that it's really tough to make any kind of statistically-significant argument about an event that's happened 21 times in 140 years and thousands upon thousands of games.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:31 PM on April 22, 2012
posted by dirigibleman at 9:31 PM on April 22, 2012
I still think the feat is overvalued as a single-player performance, and undervalued as a team performance. The number of opportunities to not quite make a play by fielders in a game is usually not small and quite critical to the accomplishment.
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:38 AM on April 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:38 AM on April 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
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posted by silby at 3:36 PM on April 21, 2012