As if it was needed, a no hitter would have been the effective nail on the coffin for this season.

Assuming he makes it through the 8th with 4 more pitches thrown, and the no-hitter still intact, he would start the 9th at 110 pitches. How many pitches would they have let him throw in the 9th? Buchholz took 115 for his no-hitter, and Theo and Francona claimed that he wouldn't have pitched past 120 no matter what. It is very possible that Morrow tops 120. As much crap as Seattle's manager would have gotten from the fans and media, one would think him going out for the 9th wouldn't have been smart (as great of a story as it would have been).

So what if the M's had groomed him as a starter all along and not messed around with having him in the pen?

Re: 3

The M's handling of Morrow has been very silly. He should have been groomed as a starter from...the start. Despite the lack of starting experience in the last 2 or so years, Morrow was still throwing mid to high 90s until the very end. Obviously a ridiculously talented young pitcher. He and Felix could make a nice 1-2 punch for the next couple seasons.

Could have ended up like Justin Verlander this year?

I was at the game on my first day in Seattle. That's as positive of an omen as the loss was negative for the Yankees. And I had an idea during the game. I know there are "Jeter Sucks Arod" shirts, but are there "Jeter Yanks Arod" shirts? It seems even more appropriate.

Morrow looked awesome by the way. He threw three different pitches consistently for first pitch strikes, had good separation between the FB and off speed stuff, and got tons of comically bad misses by the Yankees.

You guys are getting ridiculously overexcited about a setup guy. What's wrong with you?

Can we call him "Vic" instead of Brandon?