I remember having a Bobby Schantz baseball card, but I couldn't remember much about him so I looked him up. He was 5'6". Based on when I collected my cards (up to 1960), he must have been with the Yankees at the time.
No George. It was kinda a trick question, but Sid was correct in his initial assumption. There has never been a perfect game thrown by the Cards. But I did learn about 5 foot 6 Bobby Shantz!
Whoa! With the season not quite half over, I just looked at the standings in each of the 6 divisions. Based on recent history, there are some unlikely first place teams. For example, the NL Central is almost (not quite) a complete reversal of recent past standings with the Pirates on top (by one game) and the Cardinals last. If the season ended today, the post season teams would be, AL: Rays, Twins, Rangers; WC = Orioles & Yankees or Astros, NL: Braves, Pirates, Dbacks; WC = Marlins & Dodgers. Orioles? Pirates? Marlins? Stay tuned.
Domingo German, the Yankee pitcher described earlier in the year when he was ejected for stuff on his hands as having the stickiest hands the ump had ever seen, apparently washed his hands and threw a perfect game tonight in Oakland as the Yankee's cruised 11-0.
Fitting that he thew the PG away from Yankee Stadium, where the fans booed him off the mound in his last start. I did read that it's the 4th by a Yankee SP. Who of our generation doesn't remember Don Larsen's PG in the 1956 World Series vs. the Dodgers? I listened. I was cheering for the Dodgers but by the end of the game, I was thrilled for Larsen, the only time in my youth that I was happy for an AL team. Some things you never forget.
In German's last start I think he gave up 10 earned runs in 2.1 innings. I watched that game and I have never seen a pitcher hit harder. Last night he was perfect; only one batted ball required a good defensive play and that was a grounder to Rizzo at 1B. No ball reached the warning track.
As we approach the 4th, you can't help but notice that the Padres and Mets, 2 teams that went out and spent a ton of money on free agents are mired deep in their divisions. Justin Verlander has been booed in New York is 2-4 with a 4.11 ERA. I hope he enjoys NYC and that big contract.
Wild slugfest in Arlington this afternoon. Astros jumped on the Rangers early and had them down 10 - 2 at one point, then the Rangers started hitting the Astros pitching and it was 11 - 10 in the top of the 9th. 'Stros got 2 runs to take the lead and took out 3 all-stars in the bottom of the 9th. 12-11 Astros. This was a big series for us and we took 3 out of 4. We're 3 games back right now, it's the closest we have been in a month. We are still dealing with a lot of injuries, a couple of pitchers, Yordan Alvarez. Frambler Valdez missed a start dealing with a sprained ankle. If we get all our guys back for the 2nd half we can give the Rangers a battle for the Division.
Cards are a mess. Marmol has lost this team. Time to clean house and find a skipper who can manage a team, and players.
Tribe not getting much press because of bad offense (improving) and pitching injuries and .500 record. But Aaron Civale pitched 7 innings today...2 hits (both doubles) and no walks. 9 strikeouts. Got 11 guys out on 1 pitch. Tribe got a 2 run HR from Bell. Game took 1 hr. 51 minutes. Shortest game in Progressive Field history. They will be getting press now for what to do with Shane Bieber. (one of my favorites.)
Is Elly de la Cruz the "most exciting" player in baseball? He stole 2nd, 3rd (didn't even draw a throw) and then it appears they just relaxed and he took off and stole home on them. Pretty impressive young player.
I saw the replay. The 3b was almost playing SS and the SS was as far as possible toward 2b without violating the rule. That's why there was no throw. Bad coaching decision. Bet they don't do that again with de la Cruz on base.