Everybody probably knows this, but Al Leiters son Jack was an All American pitcher for Vanderbilt and was taken #2 over all in the 2021 MLB draft. I'll bet his son never threw anywhere near as many pitches as his dad did in HS. He's in the Rangers organization.
Let me add some fine corrections and facts to my recollection. The opposing pitcher was John Spinapont from Wall HS ( about a mile from where I sit ). Leiter pitched for Central Regional HS In Bayville ( where my grandsons will go to school ). Leiter was 13-0-1 that senior year in 1984 and had thrown 4 no-hitters. The game was actually called in the 14th inning due to rain. Big Correction: It was Spinapont who had 18 K's. Leiter notched an incredible 32 K's ! Both pitchers pitched the entire game, both throwing over 200 pitches. Leiter went on to pitch 19 years in the bigs compiling a 162-132 record, 2x All Star and won two WS rings. Spinapont works for the town of Wall NJ and his son is now a police officer here. Leiter lives here as well and is seen all around. Here are some snap shots: The first is Leiter in HS. The second is Leiter ( L ) and Spinapont ( R ) with their catchers at a 25 year reunion. The last is Leiter with my grandson Walker three years ago in Bayville.
Verlander continues to impress, shutout the Mets on 2 hits over 8 innings before Dusty brought in Pressly to close out the win. If he continues he should be the starter for the AL squad in the all star game.
Kind of odd that the Yankee's/Astros game yesterday was a 1 game series at Minute Maid. It was a makeup game for a game from 4/4/22. Seems like they would have fit it in as a double header or something as part of a longer series. Astros go 7/9 vs NYC teams.
Pretty amazing stat, but then Tony Gwynn was a pretty amazing (and legendary) player. Not so amazing for Joey Gallo.
Between them NC teams and the justice completed sweep of their Angels I can't remember a more dominant stretch of patching.
As of this moment the New York Yankees have the best pitching staff in baseball. Their starting five has been solid all year with two of them with ERAs under 3.00 and Severino the highest at 3.35. The bullpen has been lights out as well. This along with a vastly improved defense is why this team is currently winning at a .725 pace.
Baseball has so many insane stats. Here's one. Most strikeouts In a start following a no hitter. Astros stats people fudged this more than a little! 1. Cristian Javier. 14 2 Nolan Ryan. 13.(1973) 3 Sandy Koufax 12 (1963) 4 Ed Halicki - 12 whose he? (1975) 5 Nolan Ryan 12 (1975) 6 Ken Holtzman 12 (1971) All but Javier threw a complete game no hitter.
While watching the fireworks show in Pittsburgh last night I heard another stat that explains the Yankees success to date. Last year The Yankees ranked 29th in team defense. This years they rank 1st. Four games in Boston starting tonight.
He is a big reason. Another is Kiner-Falefa at SS which moved Torres back to his best position at 2B. And Donaldson has been extraordinary at 3B. Outfield play has been stellar and all three have big arms. But the biggest improvement has been getting rid of Sanchez at C. The two guys who platoon there now are light years better than he was.
Gallo has a huge uppercut swing which he accents by swinging from the heels on every pitch. He never adjusts it. So they give him fastballs up and breaking stuff down and away. He can't touch it. If he hits the ball it is a huge mistake by the pitcher.
The Yankees hung 27 runs on the Red Sox over the last 24 hours. If you're a Yankee fan, its never enough.
Who is going to win the Juan Soto sweepstakes? Great young player but he is going to cost a half a billion and a contract that takes him close to his 40's