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Monday, May 19, 2008

AP: Lester throws no-hitter against Royals

Jon Lester can now add pitching a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.

The 24-year-old lefty, who survived cancer to pitch the clincher of Boston’s 2007 World Series victory, shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors this season.
...
Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth. He struck out nine, including Alberto Callaspo to end the game.

NTNgod Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:28 PM | 139 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralBostonKansas City

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   1. Paul DepoProvera Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:41 PM (#2787027)
2 walks, 9 strikeouts.

Congrats from a Boston fan!
   2. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:42 PM (#2787029)
Four no-hitters for the Sox since 2001. Impressive.
   3. The Piehole of David Wells Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:46 PM (#2787037)
i can't believe i missed it. crap!
   4. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:46 PM (#2787040)
As Lester recorded the last out, the stupidest thought popped into my head:

"Gee, I can't wait to see what Schilling has to say about this."
   5. Posada Posse Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:49 PM (#2787046)
As Lester recorded the last out, the stupidest thought popped into my head:

"Gee, I can't wait to see what Schilling has to say about this."


I was thinking the same thing! From previous posts it's obvious that Schilling (and his Sox teammates) have the utmost respect and regard for Lester after all the stuff he went through. Imagine now...
   6. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM (#2787047)
So, 'Tek has caught all 4 of these no hitters. I'm starting to think he might call a pretty good game.
   7. Sparkles Peterson Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM (#2787049)
Better than what popped into my head:

"Is ESPN really going to show this entire 10 minute hug-kkake?"
   8. The Clarence Thomas of BTF (scott) Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:52 PM (#2787052)
Lester should have been traded for Santana. He clearly never regained nor will he ever regain the promise he had before his bout with cancer. This is just another sign of how shortsighted the Red Sox are when it comes to valuing their own talent.
   9. Elevate Phil Coorey Later Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:53 PM (#2787056)
What a crazy morning. Maybe he is starting to show that form from the minors 3 years ago...
   10. Templeusox has Red-State Street Cred Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:54 PM (#2787058)
Fitting that Callapso was the last hitter he struck out.
   11. MSI Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:55 PM (#2787059)
Congrats to Lester.
   12. Charter Member of the Jesus Melendez Fanclub Posted: May 19, 2008 at 09:59 PM (#2787060)
First 130-pitch start in the majors this season.

There were 2 last season, 7 in 2006....76 in 2000.
   13. Darren Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:01 PM (#2787064)
130 pitches! Argghh! Fire Francona!

Francona sure seemed to have a special connection with Lester after the game.
   14. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:03 PM (#2787068)
Ehh, would be fun if Lester tested positive for steroids and then claimed he was using it on prescription.

4 in one decade from 4 different pitchers? a record?
   15. Craig Calcaterra Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:08 PM (#2787076)
Question: is it more impressive to no-hit the punchless Royals like Lester did, or is it more impressive to simply shut out the Phillies like the Nats' pitchers did tonight? Does it help if I tell you that Tony Pena was in the lineup for the Royals?
   16. Rough Carrigan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:12 PM (#2787080)
Amen Darren. That looked just like a proud dad congratulating his son.
   17. bibigon Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:13 PM (#2787083)
Question: is it more impressive to no-hit the punchless Royals like Lester did, or is it more impressive to simply shut out the Phillies like the Nats' pitchers did tonight?


Impressive? No-hitters are largely luck, so it depends how impressed you are by luck.

The no-no is certainly less likely to happen though.
   18. Elevate Phil Coorey Later Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:15 PM (#2787087)
Pretty good catch by Jacoby to keep the no-no in the 4th
   19. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:15 PM (#2787088)
Craig -

I would love to claim the Nats' achievement was the more impressive of the two (especially because the Phillies have suffered only two shutouts so far this season; both were against the Nationals, and both came with Redding on the mound). But let's be honest - Lester's game was better. Redding was in trouble all night long, and were it not for a brilliant defensive play by Ryan Zimmerman saving (most likely) two runs, the final outcome would have looked much different.

Some of the Nationals' starters (Redding, Lannan) are quietly putting together impressive seasons. Tonight, however, belongs to Jon.
   20. PJ Martinez Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:16 PM (#2787089)
Hey, it's not just luck. It also helps to have a crappy opponent.

I missed the game, but it sounds like he was pitching beautifully-- more aggressive than he's been (or was that the Royals?).

130 pitches. Huh.
   21. MSI Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:16 PM (#2787091)
It's luck, but also a sign of sheer dominance.

Don't forget Anibal Sanchez threw a no-no, and he was a product of the Red Sox farm system.
   22. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:16 PM (#2787092)
4 in one decade from 4 different pitchers? a record?


No. The Yankees had 5 in the 90's: Andy Hawkins, Jim Abbott, Dwight Gooden, David Wells, David Cone. Hawkins's was later de-certified, as it was an 8 IP road loss, but it counts in my book.
   23. Sean McNally Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:18 PM (#2787096)
Fun fact courtesy ESPN - Lester is the first pitcher not named Nolan Ryan to no-hit the Royals.
   24. AlouGoodbye Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:18 PM (#2787097)
So, 'Tek has caught all 4 of these no hitters. I'm starting to think he might call a pretty good game.
Considering he's caught 77% of Boston's games over that time period (784/1018), it's not that surprising. Especially when you consider the Wakefield factor. Wakefield has started 164 games over that time period, of which I believe Varitek has caught 6 (it gets a bit complicated because of relief appearances). And Wakefield has never thrown a no-hitter. So of the no-hitter-throwing pitchers, Varitek has caught 778/854 = 91.1% of games.

Pitchers speak highly of Varitek and I'm sure he does call a good game, but the biggest reason he catches no-hitters and his backups don't is because he plays so much more than they do.
   25. Mike Hampton's #1 Fan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:19 PM (#2787099)
ESPN's factoid about this being only the second time the Royals have been no-hit was a little bit of a surprise to me, considering how woeful they've been for about a decade and a half now.
   26. GGC won't apologize for liking the Red Sox Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:19 PM (#2787100)
If you count Hawkins, I'm gonna count Hansack.
   27. plink Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:20 PM (#2787101)
No. The Yankees had 5 in the 90's: Andy Hawkins, Jim Abbott, Dwight Gooden, David Wells, David Cone. Hawkins's was later de-certified, as it was an 8 IP road loss, but it counts in my book.

Do the Sox get to count Devern Hansack's 5 IP game in 2006, then?
   28. Ryan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:20 PM (#2787105)
I was watching this game on MLB.TV, but I turned it off after the Red Sox put 5 runs on the board in the 3rd and I started having some computer issues. I didn't bother to check on the game again until it was over. Darn.
   29. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:21 PM (#2787107)
BTW, here is the boxscore from Hawkins no hitter. Absolutely brutal 8th by the Yankees D.:

Bottom of the 8th, White Sox Batting, Tied 0-0, Andy Hawkins facing 6-7-8
O --- 4 56% R Karkovice Popfly: 2B
O --- 6 52% S Fletcher Popfly: 2B (Deep 2B-1B)
--- 4 55% S Sosa Reached on E5 (Ground Ball)
1-- 58% O Guillen Sosa Steals 2B
-2- 7 59% " " Walk
12- 4 63% L Johnson Walk; Sosa to 3B; Guillen to 2B
RRR 123 1 97% R Ventura Reached on E7 (Fly Ball); Sosa Scores/No RBI/unER; Guillen Scores/unER/No RBI; Johnson Scores/unER/No RBI; Ventura to 2B
R -2- 5 99% I Calderon Reached on E9 (Fly Ball to Deep CF-RF); Ventura Scores/unER; Calderon to 2B
O -2- 6 99% D Pasqua Popfly: SS
4 runs, 0 hits, 3 errors, 1 LOB. Yankees 0, White Sox 4.

Though Hawkins didn't do himself any favors. Walks to Guillen and Lance Johnson? WTF is that?
   30. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:22 PM (#2787109)
Do the Sox get to count Devern Hansack's 5 IP game in 2006, then?


No, because 5 innings is not 8, which is routinely counted as a CG.
   31. JPWF13 Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:22 PM (#2787110)
Question: is it more impressive to no-hit the punchless Royals like Lester did, or is it more impressive to simply shut out the Phillies like the Nats' pitchers did tonight?


Let' see:
Royals had
DeJesus: Career .282/.357/.414 he is an MLB caliber hitter
Grudzielanek: career .290
Gordon: hitting .280, brief career .256
Jose Guillen
Billy Butler
Olivio
Teahen...
German
all MLB hitters
ok Pena is... a really bad hitter

I'm sure that lineup is far from the worse lineup an MLB team has thrown out there.
For instance I think the Mets lineup that Koufax no-hit was MLB in name only
   32. Kurt Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:23 PM (#2787111)
One of the Perezes (Melido or Pascual) had a 5 IP no-hitter for the Yankees in the 1990's.

Edit: It was Melido, 6IP, 7/12/1990.

Edit #2: Never mind - that was for the White Sox, against the Yankees.
   33. OCD SS Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:24 PM (#2787113)
I would not want to see the inside of Peter Gammons' pants right now.

Congrats to Lester, it was a great game, and he attacked the hitters all night long.
   34. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:25 PM (#2787114)
One of the Perezes (Melido or Pascual) had a 5 IP no-hitter for the Yankees in the 1990's.


No he didn't. Not a CG game anyway.
   35. Nasty Nate Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#2787117)
Pitchers speak highly of Varitek and I'm sure he does call a good game, but the biggest reason he catches no-hitters and his backups don't is because he plays so much more than they do.


weird that Pedro Martinez is the pitcher 'Tek has caught most in his career (I would assume), and likewise 'Tek has caught more of Pedro than any other catcher... AND Pedro is one of the all-time toughest pitchers to get hits off of, but he was not part of any of the 4 tek has caught.
   36. Pastor Toastman (PH) Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#2787119)
Your move, Doug Davis.
   37. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#2787120)
For instance I think the Mets lineup that Koufax no-hit was MLB in name only




Here is the boxscore for that game. Ashburn, Mantilla, Thomas, and Hickman were all legit MLB ers.
   38. GGC won't apologize for liking the Red Sox Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM (#2787121)

No, because 5 innings is not 8, which is routinely counted as a CG.


True, but you can have a five inning complete game. Hell, Dick Drago had a four inning complete game in 1971 when he faced 13 batters.
   39. GGC won't apologize for liking the Red Sox Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:31 PM (#2787124)
I'm outta here, folks. Not ducking our man in the Keys I just need to take care of some stuff before bed.
   40. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:31 PM (#2787125)
One of the Perezes (Melido or Pascual) had a 5 IP no-hitter for the Yankees in the 1990's.

Edit: It was Melido, 6IP, 7/12/1990.


It wasn't for the Yankees, it was against them.
   41. Kurt Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:33 PM (#2787126)
Yes, I caught that, thanks. It was a CG, though.
   42. Spute Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:34 PM (#2787127)
At least it wasn't a cheap no-hitter off of the worst hitting team in the league. Oh, wait...

What Jon Lester actually did is hold the Royals to 5 or 6 hits less than the Royals would normally expect to hit against Boston. It's still very impressive, but I'm not sure it changes my perception of Lester very much.
   43. Templeusox has Red-State Street Cred Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:36 PM (#2787128)
What Jon Lester actually did is hold the Royals to 5 or 6 hits less than the Royals would normally expect to hit against Boston.
Nice parody post.
   44. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:37 PM (#2787130)
Which was better - Buchholz or Lester? I think this one - the O's were really really bad.
   45. Tom Nawrocki Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:37 PM (#2787132)
Willie Tyler must be very proud.
   46. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:38 PM (#2787133)
True, but you can have a five inning complete game. Hell, Dick Drago had a four inning complete game in 1971 when he faced 13 batters.


Yes you can, but it's far from routine, which is an important qualifier. Since 1956, there have been 140 5 IP CG's, and 413 of fewer than 8 IP, and 3348 CG's of 8 IP. An 8 IP CG is a normal occurance in the game. A 5 inning one is not, even if the rules provide for it.
   47. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:39 PM (#2787136)
Of the 101 American League no-hitters, the Red Sox have participated in 28 of them, 18 for and 10 against.
   48. Marcel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM (#2787138)
I can't believe I missed this. I walked in the door 15 minutes ago and my father asked me if I had seen the game. No, why? Lester threw a no-hitter. ####!

Congratulations Jon.
   49. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM (#2787139)
I have watched almost every Royals game from start to finish the last two weeks since my son was born, but I turned this off in the 6th, not realizing the Royals had yet to get a hit. He was crying his head off so I guess I wasn't paying that close of attention. It would have been cool to have watched it develop live. The Royals offense is bad yes, but Guillen has been tearing the cover off the ball, and the lineup was filled with MLB hitters other than Pena. Lester did look really great tonight in the time I saw him.

I guess if your offense is going to be lousy, you may as well make history.

I seem to recall the Expos lineup that David Cone threw a perfecto against with the Yanks as being barely above AAA.

Edit: Must've misremembered.
   50. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:45 PM (#2787142)
Pitchers speak highly of Varitek and I'm sure he does call a good game, but the biggest reason he catches no-hitters and his backups don't is because he plays so much more than they do.


You're, of course, assuming that the catcher has nothing to do with a pitcher throwing a no-no. A dubious assumption, at best.
   51. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM (#2787143)
I seem to recall the Expos lineup that David Cone threw a perfecto against with the Yanks as being barely above AAA.


RonDL White, Vlad Guerrero, Jose Vidro, Orlando Cabrerra, Brad Fullmer? No.
   52. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM (#2787144)
So, Buchholz and Lester have thrown no-hitters, while Hughes, Kennedy, and Chamberlain have . . . n't.

This means, of course, that the Yankees' pitchers will develop into HOF talents, while the Red Sox will barely be heard from again. Or something.
   53. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:48 PM (#2787146)
Which was better - Buchholz or Lester? I think this one - the O's were really really bad.


They're all great.

That's like choosing between filet mignon and lobster.
   54. SantoFan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:49 PM (#2787150)
Congrats to Lester, and congrats to you AG#1F. (Is the little guy nicknamed Alex Gordon's #2 fan?)
   55. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:50 PM (#2787151)
This means, of course, that the Yankees' pitchers will develop into HOF talents, while the Red Sox will barely be heard from again. Or something.


Rosenthal was dissin' on Kennedy a little on MLB radio today, Vaux. He said the scouts he talked to do not rate kennedy as a great prospect. He was ripping on Cashman too, for not being willing to include Kennedy and Hughes together in the trade for Santana, and that he overrated his own talent.
   56. Boots Day Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:51 PM (#2787153)
All newborn babies are fans of #2.
   57. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:52 PM (#2787154)
Of the 101 American League no-hitters, the Red Sox have participated in 28 of them, 18 for and 10 against.

In addition, Schilling was one out away from throwing a perfect game as a Sox, and Mike Mussina was one out away from throwing a perfect game against them.

All those no-hitters are surprising considering Fenway is something of a hitter's park.
   58. villageidiom Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:54 PM (#2787155)
Pitchers speak highly of Varitek and I'm sure he does call a good game, but the biggest reason he catches no-hitters and his backups don't is because he plays so much more than they do.
I think Varitek is brought up as an example not because he catches more no-hitters than his backups, but because he catches more no-hitters than ANYONE. Plenty of other catchers have caught more games; of those, some have caught some excellent pitchers and/or pitching staffs; and pretty much every catcher has caught a bunch of games against a light-hitting team.

Last year Schilling went 8.2 of no-hit, shook off the signal from Tek, and the ensuing pitch was hit for a line drive single. We'll never know what would've happened... But even had it played out the same way it's not the only one-hitter Tek has caught.
   59. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:54 PM (#2787156)
Or ribeye and blue crab, if you prefer.
Anyway, luck is the residuum of design. I think 'tek probably deserves some credit for his game planning.
   60. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:55 PM (#2787158)
That was my point vi, thanks.
   61. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:55 PM (#2787159)
It would be interesting to see how pitchers perform after after no hitters. Anecdotally, they seem to do badly.

Millwood had a good start after his no-no, and then stunk the rest of the year. Anibal Sanchez stunk and then had surgery. Buchholz was shut down, and hasn't exactly lit it up since then.
How did Schilling do after his near no-no?
   62. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:57 PM (#2787161)
ESPN - Tek is the first catcher since 1900 to catch 4 no hitters. *This* close to 5.
   63. AlouGoodbye Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:57 PM (#2787162)
You're, of course, assuming that the catcher has nothing to do with a pitcher throwing a no-no. A dubious assumption, at best.
I'm not assuming that at all. The catcher has something to do with it, but opportunity is a bigger factor here.
   64. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:57 PM (#2787163)
Of the 101 American League no-hitters

Are you counting Nomo's as an "American League no-hitter?" Seems unfair, since a no-no by the opposing pitcher wouldn't have counted, and you're tallying for and against.

It's too bad Lester wasn't facing the Yankees in this turn. They've proven to be no match for lefties, and Lester by all accounts was dominating tonight. How many Red Sox/Yankees no-hitters have there been?
   65. Watch Crispix Attacks geek out Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:58 PM (#2787164)
I'm sure that lineup is far from the worse lineup an MLB team has thrown out there.
For instance I think the Mets lineup that Koufax no-hit was MLB in name only


Worst lineup ever might have been the September 1999 Angels that were no-hit by Eric Milton.

RF Jeff DaVanon
CF Orlando Palmeiro
LF Todd Greene
3B Troy Glaus
DH Steve Decker
1B Matt Luke
C Bret Hemphill
2B Trent Durrington
SS Andy Sheets

I count one major-league starter in that lineup. The outfield consisted of a pinch-hitter/fourth outfielder, a defensive replacement/fourth outfielder, and a backup catcher. Three of those guys I've never even heard of, including the DH and the 1B. Milton was perfect through the last six innings, and the Angels didn't use a single substitute.

And this wasn't the last day of the season, either. It was September 11. The Angels (managed by Joe Maddon! (after Terry Collins was fired)) should have known they were giving America some bad karma, punting like like that.
   66. vortex of dissipation Posted: May 19, 2008 at 10:59 PM (#2787165)
ESPN - Tek is the first catcher since 1900 to catch 4 no hitters. *This* close to 5.


Ray Schalk had caught four no-hitters, until Jim Scott's May 14, 1914 no-hitter was disqualified as a no-no. Scott pitched nine hitless innings, but gave up two hits in the tenth inning.

It was considered a no-hitter until the rules that define what is constituted as a no-hitter were changed in 1991.
   67. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:01 PM (#2787166)
Are you counting Nomo's as an "American League no-hitter?" Seems unfair, since a no-no by the opposing pitcher wouldn't have counted, and you're tallying for and against.

Nomo threw a no-hitter as a Dodger against the Rockies and one as a Red Sox against Baltimore.
   68. John DiFool2 Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:01 PM (#2787167)
All those no-hitters are surprising considering Fenway is something of a hitter's park.


Equally as baffling as the no no-no's in Forbes Field.

Of what I saw, he had terrific stuff, clearly the best of the year. Yeah the Royals helped him out a bit by swinging at some balls, but he was dealing.
   69. Misirlou don't work cause vandals took the handle Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:01 PM (#2787168)
Worst lineup ever might have been the September 1999 Angels lineup that Eric Milton no-hit.

RF Jeff DaVanon
CF Orlando Palmeiro
LF Todd Greene
3B Troy Glaus
DH Steve Decker
1B Matt Luke
C Bret Hemphill
2B Trent Durrington
SS Andy Sheets


Now that's a bad lineup.
   70. Richard Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:02 PM (#2787169)
ESPN - Tek is the first catcher since 1900 to catch 4 no hitters.

I was under the impression Ray Schalk had also caught four, including Charlie Robertson's perfect game.

Edit - vortex has explained it...
   71. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:02 PM (#2787170)
The catcher has something to do with it, but opportunity is a bigger factor here.


Well, talented, durable catchers will get more opportunities than less talented,less durable catchers.

That by no means diminishes Vek's accomplishment either.
   72. DKDC Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:02 PM (#2787171)
Which was better - Buchholz or Lester? I think this one - the O's were really really bad.


The Orioles started some bench players that game, but Tejada, Markakis, Roberts, and possibly Millar and Huff are all better hitters than anyone in the Royals lineup today.

Of course Buchholz is a much more talented pitcher than Lester, so maybe Lester's is still more impressive.
   73. MSI Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:03 PM (#2787172)
Who are Tek's other 2 no hitters with?
   74. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:04 PM (#2787173)
Are you counting Nomo's as an "American League no-hitter?


??? Of course. He threw it against Baltimore.
   75. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:05 PM (#2787174)
Hideo Nomo in 2001 and Derek Lowe in 2002.

Nomo's no hitter may not have been his best start that season. He had a start against the Blue Jays in which he had a game score of 99. 14 strikeouts, 1 hit, no walks. His game score in the no-no was 95, 11 strikeouts and 3 walks.
   76. villageidiom Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:05 PM (#2787175)
How did Schilling do after his near no-no?
Next two starts: 0-2, 9.1 IP, 10.61 ERA. Then on the DL for ~6 weeks.
   77. kevin Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:06 PM (#2787176)
Of course Buchholz is a much more talented pitcher than Lester, so maybe Lester's is still more impressive.


I'm not sure I'd go that far. Lester is pretty talented too, and is a lefthander as well.
   78. Watch Crispix Attacks geek out Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:06 PM (#2787177)
The Orioles started some bench players that game, but Tejada, Markakis, Roberts, and possibly Millar and Huff are all better hitters than anyone in the Royals lineup today.

Let's not go bananas here, three is enough. "Possibly Millar and Huff" in late 2007 were better players than Teahen, Butler, and Jose Guillen, but probably not.
   79. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:09 PM (#2787181)
Nomo threw a no-hitter as a Dodger against the Rockies and one as a Red Sox against Baltimore.

Right. Uh...

I have got to start drinking less on nights when there's going to be a no-hitter.
   80. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:10 PM (#2787183)
Does anyone remember Bud Smith? Threw a no-hitter in 2001 as a 21 year old, had a terrible year in 2002, and never again made it to the big leagues. Other than Bobo Holloman, that has to be the worst career for a guy who threw a no-hitter.
   81. villageidiom Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:10 PM (#2787184)
It was considered a no-hitter until the rules that define what is constituted as a no-hitter were changed in 1991.
As would have Devern Hansack's 5-IP no-hitter in 2006... Caught by Jason Varitek.

Granted, a 5-IP no-no is a lot less impressive than 9 innings of no-hit ball broken up in the 10th (Schalk's fourth).

Pedro's 1-hitter against NY was pretty impressive, too, but I'm not about to credit Varitek. I suppose he deserves some credit, but that was Pedro being Pedro.
   82. Joey Belle needs love too Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:12 PM (#2787186)
Much like Mario Lemieux and Saku Koivu, the chemo has given Jon Lester superpowers.
   83. walt williams bobblehead Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2787188)
Other than Bobo Holloman, that has to be the worst career for a guy who threw a no-hitter.

Check out Bumpus Jones.
   84. OCD SS Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2787189)
Maybe the correct question for the nay-sayers is "what is the best line up that has ever been no-hit?"

Arguing that a no hitter is not an accomplishment because the opposing line up 'wasn't really that good' is a bitter response that ignores the realities involved in throwing a no-no. The fact that it was against the O's or Royals doesn't negate the fact that Kennedy has been sent down and Hughes is turning into glass...
   85. Boots Day Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:20 PM (#2787192)
Mike Warren finished his career at 9-13, a 5.06 ERA, a 75 ERA+ in 27 starts - one of which was a no-hitter against the 1983 AL West champion White Sox.
   86. Doc Nabbit Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:21 PM (#2787193)
And PI lets you generate lists of all regular season no-hitters since 1956 (or post-season no-hitters ever).

Worst lineup ever might have been the September 1999 Angels that were no-hit by Eric Milton.

RF Jeff DaVanon
CF Orlando Palmeiro
LF Todd Greene
3B Troy Glaus
DH Steve Decker
1B Matt Luke
C Bret Hemphill
2B Trent Durrington
SS Andy Sheets


Well, what's the best line-up that's ever been no-hit. Two spring to mind:

10/8/56
Gilliam
Reese
Snider
Robinson
Hodges
Amoros
Furillo
Campanella
Maglie

Campy batted eighth?

This one technically wasn't a no-hitter, though the first 36 batters were retired:
O'Brien
Aaron
Mathews
Adock
Covington
Crandall
Pafko
Logan
Burdette

Even the pitcher was a decent hitter (for a pitcher).
   87. villageidiom Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:22 PM (#2787194)
Maybe the correct question for the nay-sayers is "what is the best line up that has ever been no-hit?"

I was going to say the 2003 Yankees (6/11 vs. Astros), but looking at the lineup now... Soriano, Jeter, Giambi, Posada, Ventura, Matsui, Zeile, Mondesi, Juan Rivera... Nah, can't be it.
   88. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:27 PM (#2787195)
This lineup wasn't too bad. Won the division by a mile, but then, Furcal was part of it. Giles got injured, so we had to put up with a fluke Nick Green season. Anyway, they were perfecto-ed.

J Garcia SS
J Franco 1B
C Jones LF
A Jones CF
J Estrada C
J Drew RF
M DeRosa 3B
N Green 2B
M Hampton P
E Perez PH
   89. Boots Day Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:28 PM (#2787197)
Jim Abbott no-hit this lineup:

Lofton, CF
Fermin, SS
Baerga, 2B
Belle, LF
Milligan, 1B
Ramirez, DH
Maldonado, RF
Thome, 3B
Oritz, C

They were all kids then, but Lofton, Baerga, Belle, Ramirez, Thome.... That's some hitters.
   90. tfbg9 Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2787199)
The infamous Matt Young 8 inning, 7 BB, 2-1 loss without a hit allowed is my all-timer for

"almost" no-no's.

That and Pedro's "perfect game" as an Expo.
   91. ChadBradfordWannabe Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:34 PM (#2787200)
I guess this trumps Matt Harrison's no-no here in Frisco yesterday, huh? Still, it was fun to watch.....
   92. Boots Day Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:34 PM (#2787201)
Catfish Hunter perfect-gamed this bunch:

Tovar, 3B
Carew, 2B
Killebrew, 1B
Oliva, RF
Uhlaender, CF
Allison, LF
Hernandez, SS
Look, C
Boswell, P
   93. DKDC Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:35 PM (#2787202)
"Possibly Millar and Huff" in late 2007 were better players than Teahen, Butler, and Jose Guillen, but probably not.


Millar/Huff's 2007 OPS+ of 106/103 is higher than the career OPS+ of every Royals hitter. That's probably an unfair comparison to guys like Butler, but it's not that big of a stretch.
   94. Boots Day Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:37 PM (#2787203)
One more. Rick Wise hit two homers while no-hitting the following lineup:

Rose, RF
Foster, CF
May, 1B
Bench, C
Perez, 3B
McRae, LF
Helms, 2B
Concepcion, SS
Grimsley, P
   95. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:38 PM (#2787206)
I guess this trumps Matt Harrison's no-no here in Frisco yesterday, huh? Still, it was fun to watch.....

And there was bemoaning in braves' nation. Didn't he have something like 6BBs though..
   96. Doc Nabbit Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:38 PM (#2787207)
Len Barker's perfect game came against a team with a season OPS+ of 74. That being said, the names are actually pretty impressive:

Alfredo Griffin
Lloyd Moseby
George Bell (actually, Jorge Bell back then)
John Mayberry
Willie Upshaw
Damasco Garcia
Rick Bosetti
Danny Ainge
Buck Martinez

Many would be good or had been good, but in 1981 almost none were.
   97. Paul DepoProvera Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:38 PM (#2787208)
92 may be for the win.
   98. Sparkles Peterson Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:41 PM (#2787210)
Does anyone remember Bud Smith? Threw a no-hitter in 2001 as a 21 year old, had a terrible year in 2002, and never again made it to the big leagues. Other than Bobo Holloman, that has to be the worst career for a guy who threw a no-hitter.


Cardinals fans remember him quite well. Steadily marched through the minors putting up great numbers, but got little respect because he threw a high 80s fastball and relied on his changeup and control. Showed up the scouts by putting together a really solid rookie year, and capped it with the no-hitter (Throwing 134 pitches near the end of a season in which he'd pitched nearly 200 innings between the minors and majors, to the consternation of a lot of fans). Looking at b-r game logs, it seemed he actually had two straight good starts following the no-hitter, but a month later he started having shoulder problems, which turned into a torn labrum right after he was the centerpiece of the Rolen deal.
   99. villainx Posted: May 19, 2008 at 11:48 PM (#2787216)
That's like choosing between filet mignon and lobster.


That's easy, lobster. I guess Kev was going with reputation, but filet mignon is hardly the cut of choice for steak lovers.

Or ribeye and blue crab, if you prefer.


This is tougher.
   100. scotto Posted: May 20, 2008 at 12:01 AM (#2787224)
Porterhouse and stone crab claws.
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