| Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif For all those MLB fans, what do you think about the fact that there have been four no-hitters tossed by RedSox players in the last seven or so years? (Oh, and don't forget Curt Schilling's 8 2/3 no-no last season) That's just insane. I think a good deal of it has to do with the catcher, Jason Varitek, catching all four (which is a record). I hate the RedSox so damn much, but I am impressed by their no-no's. |
| Originally Posted by tjkurita /img/forum/go_quote.gif QFT. It really is amazing. Just think, in all the 45+ years of the Mets there has never been a no-hitter. I haven't looked at the home-away rates of the Boston no-nos. I wonder what the ratio is. Could it be the park? I think your argument about Varitek is a good one. He's a damn good backstop. |
| Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's shocking that the Mets don't have one. And it could be that Fenway is a magical place. I mean, Mike Mussina was one out from a Perfect game there. So many other great moments. Oh, I actually have a stat that's more impressive than Boston's no-no's, and it, of course, has to do with the Yankees. What about the fact that they threw Perfect games in consecutive seasons (David Wells and David Cone)? And the fact that David Cone's occurred on the 50th anniversary of Don Larsen's WS Perfect game. I think that might be the most magical coincidence in the history of sports. Plus, only 17 perfect games, versus 239 no-no's: 239/17 = 14. So by my calculations consecutive perfect games versus consecutive no-hitters: 14 times more impressive. Oh, but it gets better. More impressive than what the Yankees did was Johnny Vander Meer (who?) throwing consecutive no-hitters. That is a record that can never be broken. But I think the most impressive baseball achievement is the 20K game. Kerry Wood did it, allowing only one ball out of the infield. That is likely the most dominant pitching performance ever, although the weather at Wrigley was just ridiculous that day. I am completely obsessed with numbers, which is a huge part of why I love sports. And Baseball is the ultimate "numbers" sport. When someone tells me that baseball is boring, I tell them that, yes, the games might at times be slow, but reading the stats in the paper is always a treat. |
| Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif But I think the most impressive baseball achievement is the 20K game. Kerry Wood did it, allowing only one ball out of the infield. That is likely the most dominant pitching performance ever, although the weather at Wrigley was just ridiculous that day. |
| Originally Posted by Coop47 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Clemens did it twice, in 1986 and 1996. Although he might've had some help with the second one... Randy Johnson has one as well. That's no knock on Woods, who was untouchable that day |
| Originally Posted by tjkurita /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nice stats! The Perfect Game is truly amazing. That Vander Meer thing is unbelievable. Who knows if anyone will throw consecutive complete games again, let alone consecutive no hitters! I like stats also, but right now I am too busy grading papers to look them up. I like the 9-pitch-strike-out-the-side stat. Can't remember how many times that has been done. Didn't Clemens also do the 20K thing? Was it twice? But Wood was the first, right? Was it Carlton who had the previous record of 19? Can't remember right now. Amazing the kinds of records that we've been able to see fall in our lifetime. I am still hugely impressed by Ichiro breaking the hits record. It's cool that you are a fan of pitching in the age of the long ball. I share your affinity for the pitcher's art. Pitching and defense is my favorite aspect of the game. I really think baseball is a pitcher's sport. This is one of the major things that distinguishes it from cricket, which is a batter's sport. It is also why, despite my passion for baseball, I have never really been into cricket. |
