Congrats to King Felix.
And he’s done it! Felix Hernandez strikes out 12 guys, including five of the last six hitters, throwing a perfect game in a 1-0 win against Tampa.
Ho hum. That’s the third no-no at Safeco just this year, second perfect game: Phil Humber’s perfecto against, a six pitcher combined no-no, and now Felix’s.
But seriously. Congratulations to King Felix.
As a Giants fan…so today we get the Melky news; Bad Timmy takes the mound and gets rocked by the Nats (who took 2 out of 3 in the potential Playoff Preview). And now another perfect game. The season in which the Giants get the first perfecto in their history becomes the season where everybody throws a perfect game, yawn.
Why are perfect games happening at such a “rapid” rate now? What elements of the game as it is now are making it more favorable for a perfect game to be had?
Sports Illustrated’s story about Matt Cain’s game was primarily an answer to your question (again, taking the luster off my team’s accomplishment. Why do the gods hate us?)…unfortunately, I can’t remember their conclusion. 
Matty’s perfecto was one for the ages, though (and Felix’s performance today is up there too). If any of the no-hitters thrown this year will be forgotten, it’ll be Humber’s, and through no real fault of his own. He just isn’t the name that Cain or Hernandez are, and didn’t turn the batters into mush quite as blatantly.
Godammit, who the hell schedules a baseball game so damn early on a Wednesday? I just checked the M’s web site to see when the game starts and there’s the “All hail the King!” headline staring me in the face, mocking me for missing the whole thing.
harrumph!
I really liked Randy Johnson’s in 2004. Its my favorite.
What kind of Mariner fan are you?! You should know what time the next game is after the previous game.
Just watched a hell of a take out of an umpire in the Indians-Angels game (home plate umpire took a Torii Hunter spiked foot to the head on a slide). I’ve seen occasions before where umpires worked as a three-man crew. Has there ever been an occasion where two umpires were lost? What do the rules say about that? Can they work as two, or would they have to suspend the game?
So the Reds are 7 up on both the Cards and Bucs. I was concerned about tonight after both the huge emotional win last night and going against Dickey.
So I think I had a question answered for me during the game tonight, but I’m not sure. Do they still allow the catcher a larger glove for the knuckleball? I heard the Red’s broadcasters talking about the Met’s catcher have a bigger mitt than normal, but is that something the Reds could’ve made a big deal about?
I hadn’t heard about that. But I am glad the Reds have reeled off five in a row now…after losing five in a row. Break out the brooms for tonight!
Apparently, the answer to my own question is that you can have only one umpire.
Rule 9.03
a. If there is only one umpire, he shall have complete jurisdiction in administering the rules. He may take any position on the playing field which will enable him to discharge his duties (usually) behind the catcher, but sometimes behind the pitcher if there are runners).
b. If there are two or more umpires, one shall be designated umpire-in-chief and the others field umpires.
As I understand it, 2-umpire crews are the norm in the low minors. You only see 4-man crews in the bigs.
(I’ve done games on a 90 foot diamond solo…not a desirable situation, especially on steals of 2B. 2-man is not bad, and for 90% of plays you’ve got an ump in good position.)
I’m just wondering whether or not there has been on occasion where they’ve had to go 2-man (or less!) in the majors. Any idea?
I used to go to a number of A-ball games when I lived closer to Rancho Cucamonga. I guess I never paid attention to the umpires!
Nope, never heard of an emergency 2-man. And I’m usually paying attention, so I doubt it’s happened in living memory.
You don’t pay attention to umpires??? Gasp! You’re missing half the fun!
F’rinstance…Tuesday nights’ Giants-Nationals game, Brandon Belt lined one off the LF wall, driving in a runner from 1B, but Belt got thrown out at 3B. The call was made by the plate umpire, because the 3B umpire went out to rule on the catch/no-catch/home run call. While the plate umpire was hustling up to 3B, you could see (on replay) the 1B umpire sprinting to the plate to make the call there, if needed. (That’s the holy grail of umpire geekiness: being the 1B umpire and banging somebody out at the plate.)
I admit it; they usually fade into the background for me unless they are doing something notably good or bad. Except when I’m actually at a game, when my wife and I like to note how often the home plate umpire succeeds or fails when rolling the ball onto the mound in between innings. 
Come on. The umps at The Epicenter are right there. If you spring for the SuperBox seats ($12) they can hear every disparaging comment you make about the crew. That is why a) they cut off beer sales in the 7th, b) my wife sits behind me after about 3 innings, and c) I am familiar with the rule that says an ump can eject a fan from the park. 
Is anyone actually watching the Dodgers-Pirates game this afternoon? I’m listening on the radio, and it seems like every inning, someone’s getting thrown out for arguing with the rookie umpire behind the plate. Is he really that bad, or are the Dodgers just that twitchy today?