# The Yankees have never been shut out in the first game **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 29, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555 "2009-10-29T03:17:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/1 "2009-10-29T03:17:10Z")
Watching the worlds series with Mrs. Plant who hails from New York. What does that mean? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/2 "2009-10-29T03:21:05Z")
This is the 40th time the Yankees have been in the World series. Apparently never before have they failed to score at least one run in the first game of the series. It is fairly impressive(but not astonishing-level) that they havn’t been shut out in 39 previous first games. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/3 "2009-10-29T03:26:22Z")
And, they still haven’t. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/4 "2009-10-29T04:03:07Z")
What it means, basically, is that baseball statisticians have way too much time on their hands, and way to much data to mine through for every possible scrap of a crumb of a factoid they can. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/5 "2009-10-29T04:18:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What it means, basically, is that baseball statisticians have way too much time on their hands, and way to much data to mine through for every possible scrap of a crumb of a factoid they can. x2 I do find it kinda interesting when they dig up all those weird stats, but they usually don’t mean a damn thing. When the hitter steps to the plate, he’s not thinking that he’s 2-14 on the road vs. this pitcher while he’s 8-12 at home vs. the same pitcher. They’re just filling time. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/6 "2009-10-29T04:19:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What it means, basically, is that baseball statisticians have way too much time on their hands, and way to much data to mine through for every possible scrap of a crumb of a factoid they can. I was watching a game on TV earlier this year when it was mentioned that the current batter(don’t remember who) leads the majors in career 3-2 counts. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/7 "2009-10-29T04:22:33Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > I was watching a game on TV earlier this year when it was mentioned that the current batter(don’t remember who) leads the majors in career 3-2 counts. Probably Todd Helton. Stats are cool. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/8 "2009-10-29T04:25:49Z")
Well the Phillies Christened the World Series at a New Yankee stadium with a win. That’s something that can’t be taken away. Now they can lose the series knowing they got something. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/9 "2009-10-29T04:40:23Z")
Did you know that Chase Utley is the second left-hander to hit two homers against a left-handed pitcher in a World Series game? That’s what Joe Buck told me tonight. There aren’t enough :rolleyes:'s in the world for stats like this. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/10 "2009-10-29T04:50:26Z")
He also said the first was Babe Ruth. That would have been enough but he had to add that Ruth played for the Yankees and felt we had to know that Utley does not. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/11 "2009-10-29T05:38:34Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Did you know that Chase Utley is the second left-hander to hit two homers against a left-handed pitcher in a World Series game? > > That’s what Joe Buck told me tonight. > > There aren’t enough :rolleyes:'s in the world for stats like this. **THIS…** …is why I don’t watch baseball. It’s waaaay to slow and boring. Although I believe I will have to hear about the victory from my neighbor, who hails from Philly. I believe she might have a stroke this Sunday. We can only hope. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/12 "2009-10-29T05:49:21Z")
> [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > **THIS…** > > …is why I don’t watch baseball. > > It’s waaaay to slow and boring. The one has nothing to do with the other. If you don’t like baseball, and find it slow and boring, fine. I’m a firm believer that people should only undertake leisure activities that they find enjoyable. But announcers trotting out stupid and lame “stats” has no direct relationship to the game itself. It’s perfectly possible to announce a game of baseball without descending to this sort of crap. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/13 "2009-10-29T07:54:42Z")
I already bought my broom. It’s red and white. 😃 Either way, October 28th, 2009, the red hot Yankees were humbled. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/14 "2009-10-29T09:17:50Z")
If ever a game needed a shot clock, this is it. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/15 "2009-10-29T12:36:42Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > I do find it kinda interesting when they dig up all those weird stats, but they usually don’t mean a damn thing. When the hitter steps to the plate, he’s not thinking that he’s 2-14 on the road vs. this pitcher while he’s 8-12 at home vs. the same pitcher. They’re just filling time. I’d say it depends. > [@runner pat](#): > > I was watching a game on TV earlier this year when it was mentioned that the current batter(don’t remember who) leads the majors in career 3-2 counts. This is actually a very cool stat. Tells you a lot about the batter. > [@mhendo](#): > > Did you know that Chase Utley is the second left-hander to hit two homers against a left-handed pitcher in a World Series game? > > That’s what Joe Buck told me tonight. This isn’t and doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/16 "2009-10-29T12:39:16Z")
The best statistic they showed all night was the very first one as Jimmy Rollins took the plate: > [@](#): > > Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia, SS > Appeared in several MC Hammer videos in the 80s. My friend and I were quipping with the bartender last night about how ridiculous some of the stats they mention are, right before they showed that gem. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/17 "2009-10-29T15:21:10Z")
My favorite stat was on Sportscenter this morning. No one has ever struck out 10 people and not walked anyone in Game 1 of a World Series since the original World Series Game 1 back in 1903. Deacon Phillippe of the Pirates beat Cy Young and the Boston Americans 7-3…but not to worry Yankee fans, Boston won that series. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/18 "2009-10-29T15:34:38Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > My favorite stat was on Sportscenter this morning. No one has ever struck out 10 people and not walked anyone in Game 1 of a World Series since the original World Series Game 1 back in 1903. Deacon Phillippe of the Pirates beat Cy Young and the Boston Americans 7-3…but not to worry Yankee fans, Boston won that series. …and pitched a complete game with no earned runs. That was the important part. But it’s still meaningless - is it more impressive just because Larson \*only \*struck out 7 in his perfect game? Or that Gibson walked one batter in his 17 strikeout shutout in '68? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/19 "2009-10-29T18:44:49Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > When the hitter steps to the plate, he’s not thinking that he’s 2-14 on the road vs. this pitcher while he’s 8-12 at home vs. the same pitcher. They’re just filling time. Actually, in listening to a recent interview with Bob Gibson, I was astounded by the encylopedic knowledge he still had, after so many years, of his specific opponents, the pitch counts he had against them, the types of balls they hit off of him, and the particulars of their swings. So actually, I bet in the back of their mind, some of those hitters _are_ thinking exactly that… ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yankees-have-never-been-shut-out-in-the-first-game/515555/20 "2009-10-29T19:36:54Z")
Anytime they they start adding qualifiers to their stats, like “In game 1 of a world series” it dramatically diminishes the intrigue of the stat. There’s only been around 100 Game 1’s, a sample size of about 2/3 of a single season. As for the OPs stat, I think its pretty common for good offensive teams to only get shutout once or twice in a season, and certainly common to go stretches of 40 games without getting shut out.