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Monday’s Major League Baseball open thread

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* Oh, yeah…

Phil Humber threw the first perfect game in the majors in almost two years, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 4-0 victory Saturday over the Mariners in Seattle.

It was baseball’s 21st perfect game and first since Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay threw one against the Florida Marlins on May 29, 2010. It was the third in White Sox’s history, joining Mark Buehrle against Tampa Bay on July 23, 2009, and Charles Robertson against Detroit on April 30, 1922.

With the White Sox lined up on the top step of the dugout, Humber fell behind 3-0 to Michael Saunders leading off the ninth. But he rebounded to strike him out. John Jaso then flied out before Brendan Ryan, another pinch-hitter, struck out to end the game.

Ryan took a checked swing and missed at a full-count pitch, but the ball got away from catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Ryan lingered outside the batter’s box for a minute, unsure of umpire Brian Runge’s call, and Pierzynski fired to first to complete the play.

* The final out is here. All 27 outs are here.

Go Sox.

Have at it.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:20 am

Comments

This is something I’ll never understand. Why people in a city with two baseball teams, one of which makes it to the World Series every once in a while, one that carries the talent to record perfect games every once in a while, and produces stellar hitters and fielders on a consistent basis, gives the vast amount of it’s allegiance and support to a team that hasn’t won a World Series in more than 100 years…the Cubs.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:29 am
“Perfecto!”

I never would have guessed that a Sox pitcher would have thrown a Perfecto …

I would have bet the Cubs would be “Perfect-oed” before the Sox threw one.

So, Congrats to Humber, and congrats to the Cubs for not being 1st to have a perfcect game thrown AT them this year … We Cubs fans gotta be half-full!

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:29 am
Perfect highlight for a series sweep. On to Oakland!

Comment by stateandlake Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:34 am
It’s always a privilege to witness history. Humber sure looked nervous that last inning, leaving many of his pitches way out of the zone. However he ended up getting the job done somehow. Congrats to him.

Other baseball items:

-Matt Kemp is unbelievable
-The Cardinals look sharp….they have a ton of roster depth & a great offense. They have won 5 straight series, despite Wainwright’s struggles & no Carpenter
-Cubs looks awful overall, but Lahair & Castro look pretty good so far.
-The Phillies are really looking rough without Utley & Howard, now Lee is headed to the DL….. Hard to believe that a team as dominant as they were last year doesn’t even look like a playoff-caliber team at this point.

Comment by TCB Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:34 am
What a happy and amazing story.

This kid (actually, he’s not a kid anymore at 29) was a can’t miss-prospect until he blew out his arm and had Tommy John surgery. He had only two MLB starts in five years and was kicking around in the minors before the Sox picked him up from the scrapheap last year.

Now he’s a Baseball Immortal with a perfecto in his 12th MLB win. They can never take that away from you, kid.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:37 am
As a cubs fan the only nice thing I can say about that is that it drives mets fans nuts because humber was a 1st round pick of theirs that didn’t pan out.

The cubs traded one of the last of their bad deals of the hendry era still on the roster for an Illinois kid named Michael Bowden who would be a nice story in a bad season if he can live up to his former 1st round pick status.

For both teams the 2 most important stories this season are how well the bulls do in the postseason and how good the bears do in the fall.

Comment by Shore Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:39 am
===This kid (actually, he’s not a kid anymore at 29) was a can’t miss-prospect until he blew out his arm and had Tommy John surgery. He had only two MLB starts in five years and was kicking around in the minors before the Sox picked him up from the scrapheap last year.===

#1 Reason I absolutely LOVE sports … the backstory. The “perfect game” is on its own legs, but where he came from and where he has been AND the perfect game - AWESOME!

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:41 am
What a great game, which I was lucky enough to watch with Sox fans.

Comment by vise77 Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:41 am
Not bad for his first complete game in the bigs…was amazed at the humility he has shown-seems like a great guy…only hope its not our only highlight of the year

Comment by Mark Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:45 am
The Sox are off to a great start and the perfect game just increases optimism going forward. As for Humber, great game, however a perfect game is an anomaly. You can’t predict future pitching performance based on one outing.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:50 am
BEAT OAKLAND!

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:56 am
Great story. Since you called this a MLB open thread, I’ll add that I’m still marveling at how well the Cardinals have started (11-5) without Albert and LaRussa, with Carpenter on the DL and with Wainwright and Holiday not performing in contrast to how poorly the loaded Angels have started (6-10). Long season, but, still, not what most expected.

Comment by Amuzing Myself Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 10:57 am
The last batter checked his swing but my guess is that the ump felt pressured to call it strike three. Congrats anyway on the no hitter but it shouldn’t of been a perfect game.

Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:00 am
–…I’m still marveling at how well the Cardinals have started (11-5) without Albert and LaRussa…–

What position did LaRussa play?

Baseball manager is the most overrated boss position in sports. Once your roster is set, about the only thing you can do is screw up your pitchers.

And LaRussa was the most overrated manager. Dr. Canseco had more to do with all those pennants in Oakland?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:02 am
I’m a Cardinal fan, but took a took an obligatory baseball fan’s trip to Wrigley last week. I was impressed with Marlon Byrd. When he took the field the first time, he made it a point to acknowledge the fans, going so far as bowing to us bleacher bums. He may be having a crummy season, but that showed class. I love baseball, but I would love to see more players show the fans some love like he did!

Comment by Old Shepherd Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:03 am
Humber’s perfect, Rios becomes an unstoppable offensive force, Dunn is the backbone of the lineup, and Peavy’s been splendid.

Whatever’s been put in my drink this spring is something I’ll gladly chug down all year.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:17 am
===-Cubs looks awful overall, but Lahair & Castro look pretty good so far.===

Castro - 7 Errors in 17 games = AWFUL.

LaHair - Have you SEEN him play defense? To Quote Art Howe in “Moneyball” …”1st base to him is the moon.”

Errors and just plain defense is wrecking the Cubs, and mix that with poor timely hitting and horrible pitching …

Castro and LaHair are just as bad right now …

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:26 am
Every team the Sox have played has better than a .500 record, except the Mariners that are three games under after being swept by the Sox.

There are a bunch of “ifs”, but it’s conceivable that if Rios and Dunn contribute offensively and the pitching holds up, it could be a better than .500 year.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:28 am
Congrats to Humber and the Sox. What a great performance. Of the tens of thousands of games played in the history of major league baseball, a perfect game has only been accomplished 21 times. It’s an amazing feat and my hat’s off to him.

I happened to turn on the game in the 8th and watched the end. I think the last pitch was ball four and the ump blew the call. It doesn’t matter now, it’s in the books, but Humber was very fortunate to get an assist on the perfect game.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:31 am
A good friend who loves baseball and is a lifelong Cubs fan (but who also follows the Sox and goes to Sox games with us sometimes) finally admitted this weekend he has come to understand that Cubs fans really are “Wrigley Field” fans and want to be “kool kids”, while White Sox fans more are fans both of the game itself and of the art of baseball. Progress!!!

Comment by Responsa Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:44 am
Days like that are what set baseball apart from other sports. There’s something outsized about certain feats- perfect games, 4 HR games, no hitters, that no other sport can offer.

And those giant feats are accomplished by the legendary and otherwise unremarkable alike. Willie Mays and Mark Whiten have both had 4 HR games.

Comment by In 630 Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:52 am
–…come to understand that Cubs fans really are “Wrigley Field” fans and want to be “kool kids”, while White Sox fans more are fans both of the game itself and of the art of baseball.–

Yeah, those nuns you see keeping score at every Wrigley game are just there for the beer and to hookup at Exodus after the game. And all the folks hanging in the Cominskey concourse with their backs turned to the field are discussing sabermetrics.

I go to both and the crowd is the same, there’s just usually more at Wrigley. So what? As long as you’re not a buzzkill, you’re paying lots of good money for fun and entertainment, however you find it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:54 am
===are discussing sabermetrics.===

Then why do they smell all skunky? Just wondering…

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 11:56 am
Calling the “nun” card. Heh, Wordslinger. There are multiple stages in the grief process. The friend I mentioned above is obviously just a little further along into the “acceptance” phase than you are.

We go to see both teams play too. No question– Chicago is incredibly fortunate to have both a National league and an American league team in residence.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 12:31 pm
Good to see Illinois tax dollars subsidizing something successful for once - a Welfare Sox perfect game.

It was an amazing game, congrats to Humber. Dude threw a 3-2 off-speed slider with a perfecto on the line. Baseball is awesome.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 12:40 pm
Humber didn’t get an assist…that was a swing. Look at the many videos that have a side view.

Comment by Mongo Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 12:40 pm
This game was pure joy. And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Humber just buckled down after his surgery, worked hard, followed the trainers’ instructions and carried himself like so many other great players; like he is blessed to be getting paid to do this for a living.

Comment by Springfieldish Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 1:34 pm
== I never would have guessed that a Sox pitcher would have thrown a Perfecto … ==

Gotta call you out on that one. Of the 21 perfect games in MLB history, three have been thrown by White Sox pitchers. Only the Yankees have matched that total.
That said, it couldn’t have been a nicer, more deserving guy than Humber. As a Sox fan and baseball fan, it’s great to see a good guy like him living up to his potential after persevering through some tough-luck years. Here’s hoping he’s on his way to his second All-Star game in as many years.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 1:47 pm
–There are multiple stages in the grief process. The friend I mentioned above is obviously just a little further along into the “acceptance” phase than you are.–

Responsa, not sure what you mean there. The Cubs have not exhibited any life since the Kaiser was a kid.

But as someone who used to get contact buzzes out in the bleachers of Old Cominskey (belated thanks to you all), I’ve never understood the legend of the sober, studious White Sox baseball fan.

It’s a mixed bag at both places.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 1:53 pm
I have to call YOU OUT on THAT one ….

===- OldSmoky2 - Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 1:47 pm:

== I never would have guessed that a Sox pitcher would have thrown a Perfecto … === ===

Did you read the next line following????

===I never would have guessed that a Sox pitcher would have thrown a Perfecto …

I would have bet the Cubs would be “Perfect-oed” before the Sox threw one.===

It’s called …”context” … said compared to the Cubes getting “perfect-oed”

Thanks for the baseball lesson, thou

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 2:07 pm
Cubs are on-pace to win 40 games.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 2:16 pm
YDD,

That is a SOLID 40 games … Book it!

Anything after that is gravy, I guess.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 2:27 pm
Watching the post game interview, you got a real sense of what a humble guy Humber is. Very excited for him and the Sox.

Comment by South Sider Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 3:22 pm
who is writing the made for tv movie about Humber? drafted high (right after Verlander?), moved from team to team on trades that clearly showed he was not valued, the surgery, picked up on waivers, never had a complete game, and ….BOOM!

heard him on the Score this morning. what a nice guy, so amazed by his achievement, so humble. he’s giving home plate to AJ, how fitting, and how bizarre to hear that AJ was nervous and preparing to sacrifice the perfect in order to keep the no hitter. I was watching the game in a bar after a day out at another sports event (no, not the Cubs game), so the poor, silent, Cubs army near me…I was not too far from Wrigley….had to endure fist pumping screaming from this lifelong Sox fan. what an amazing game!!!!!!!

Comment by amalia Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 3:41 pm
LaHair is a 4a player. That he is the center of the cubs offense tells you everything you need to know about this team and the organization. Watch the first part of rookie of the year-that’s what the state of the organization is right now. Theo should thank Andino for getting that hit for the orioles keeping the red sox out of the playoffs because had he stayed he would have still been part of that mess in boston and I seriously doubt he would have gotten the $, job, and job security with that on his resume after this season.

Anyone want to bet bears training camp will outdraw the cubs and white sox in august?

Comment by Shore Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 4:10 pm
I knew there was a game on, but I had food shopping to do and headed out to the store without so much as even catching a score on the radio. My brother Doug texted me while I was at the store asking if I was watching the game. I said I wasn’t. He said that the Sox had a perfect game going into the bottom of the 9th.

So I missed it. But I watched that last inning later. Over and over and over again. What a crazy finish.

I love baseball.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 4:10 pm
===LaHair is a 4a player.===

I said that very exact thing to someone at lunch! The best way to describe the guy. It’s tough to ba a ball player too good for AAA, and not ready for the Bigs.

Theo can, and will, turn it around but its going to take about 4 drafts, the dumping of more players (Zambrano, Byrd …) and just “eating it” for 3 years.

Baseball has no quick fix for long term success. The Cubs have been waiting for so long, when they DO get it right, it should last 60 years or so …

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 4:25 pm
@Oswego Willy-

For the record, according to wiki, the White Sox are now tied with the Yankees for most perfect games, at three a piece.

I don’t believe any other clubs have more than 1.

By the same token, the Cubs already have been Perfecto’d. By Sandy Koufax. A couple of teams have posted goose eggs twice, including the Rays who goosed out twice in less than 12 months.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 4:26 pm
Thanks, YDD … my post was speaking in the present, today .. these teams … but cool stats.

Baseball lore, and stats, and history is what makes it so different than other sports, so thanks for dropping some knowledge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 4:31 pm
At the seasons’ beginning I had faith in Humber and the Sox pitchers.

You know what is at least as amazing as perfection from Humber? Dunn and Rios are regaining their form.

Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr. Monday, Apr 23, 12 @ 6:18 pm