Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander threw his third career no-hitter defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 striking out 14
Verlander joins Cy Young, Bob Feller, Sandy Koufax, Larry Corcoran and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers with at least three career no-hitters. All of them are in Cooperstown except for Corcoran who pitched in the 19th century. Don't worry. Verlander is heading there.
Verlander's two previous no-hitters were with the Detroit Tigers. His first came in 2007 against the Milwaukee Brewers and his second came against the Blue Jays in 2011.
This is the fourth no-hitter of the 2019 season. Mike Fiers of the A's threw his second career no hitter in May with combined no-hitters thrown by Taylor Cole and Felix Pena of the Los Angeles Angels in tribute to Tyler Skaggs in July with Astros teammates Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski combining on one in August. Both combined no-hitters came against the Seattle Mariners.
But as time goes on complete game no-hitters and multiple no-hitters are going to become a thing of the past. All of which makes Justin Verlander's accomplishment today that much more special.
Sunday, September 1, 2019
MLB Notes for August: Cardinals Pull Ahead of Cubs in NL Central.
At the beginning of August, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs were tied for top spot in the NL Central. We begin September with the Cards leading the division by 2.5 games thanks to an 18-9 August. Despite struggling on the road, the Cubs 16-12 August is good enough for the second berth in the NL Wild Card which they lead by 3.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers four games back. The Brew Crew have a better shot at a WC berth as they are 6.5 games back of the Cardinals. But with their pitching not even the bat of Christian Yelich will be enough for back to back post-season appearances. The Cincinnati Reds will finish 2019 under .500 but did enjoy seeing rookie sensation Aristides Aquino hit a rookie record 14 HR in August. The Pittsburgh Pirates have won 7 of their last 10 games, but after going 13-33 following the All-Star Break it is of small consolation.
The Atlanta Braves appear poised to win back to back NL East titles as they begin September with a 5.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals who are entrenched in the top NL Wild Card berth despite a shaky bullpen. The Philadelphia Phillies' offense got a boost with the hiring of former manager Charley Manuel as hitting coach in mid-August, but it did little for their pitching which is terrible outside of Aaron Nola. The New York Mets appeared to have turned the corner starting out August 15-5 and 27-10 since the All-Star Break. But six straight losses to the Braves and Cubs at home have deflated the balloon despite back to back wins over the Phillies to end the month. But the Mets and Phillies have something to fight for unlike the Miami Marlins who are marching towards a 100 plus loss season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, on the other hand, are destined for yet another 100 win season and a 7th straight NL West title. Their magic number is 9 and should clinch in a week, maybe less. The Dodgers enjoy a 17 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. But as mentioned earlier, the D'Backs are only 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the second WC berth. They finished August with six straight wins and victories 7 of their last 10 games. The San Francisco Giants will not be giving Bruce Bochy the sendoff for which they were hoping. After beginning August only two games back in the NL Wild Card race, an 11-16 output last month has placed them back under .500. Barring an incredible September, the San Diego Padres seem destined for their ninth consecutive losing season. The Colorado Rockies are the NL's most disappointing team. After back to back NL Wild Card berths in 2017 and 2018, they begin September 28.5 games back of the Dodgers ending August with five straight losses and defeat in 9 of their last 10 games.
Although the Minnesota Twins briefly ceded control of the AL Central to the Cleveland Indians they end August with four game lead over the Tribe on the strength of a MLB single season record for home runs. The Indians have the top berth in the AL Wild Card, but only have a half game lead over the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays. So the Indians would much rather overcome the Twins if possible. After losing 15 of 19 games after the All-Star Break, the Chicago White Sox played far better in August barely finishing under .500 for the month. This is a team to look out for in 2020. The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, will both likely lose 100 plus games this season.
Ditto for the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Toronto Blue Jays could lose 100 games, but with Bo Bichette joining the Vladimir Guerrero, Jr and Cavan Biggio party there is much more optimism north of the border. The New York Yankees won 21 out of 30 games in August and will probably do the same despite playing a majority of their games on the road this month. The Tampa Bay Rays are percentage points ahead of the Oakland A's for the second AL Wild Card berth as they try to reach the post-season for the first time since 2013. The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have a shot at a WC berth, but their pitching will need to improve as they are 5.5 games back.
The Houston Astros end August with a 9 game lead over the Oakland A's and are likely to win their third straight AL West title. As mentioned the A's are very much in the thick of reaching a second straight AL Wild Card berth. The Texas Rangers began August at .500. They didn't end it that way. After two straight last place finishes, a .500 season would be most satisfying for the Rangers. Despite yet another MVP like season for Mike Trout, the Angels went 9-18 in August with the cloud of pitcher Tyler Skaggs' death still hanging over the club. The Angels can take comfort that they will finish ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
What will September bring? Can the Red Sox get into the AL Wild Card mix with the Tribe, Rays and A's? Are the Nats and Cubs entrenched in the NL Wild Card? Or will the D'Backs, Phillies, Brewers or Mets have something to say about it?
The Atlanta Braves appear poised to win back to back NL East titles as they begin September with a 5.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals who are entrenched in the top NL Wild Card berth despite a shaky bullpen. The Philadelphia Phillies' offense got a boost with the hiring of former manager Charley Manuel as hitting coach in mid-August, but it did little for their pitching which is terrible outside of Aaron Nola. The New York Mets appeared to have turned the corner starting out August 15-5 and 27-10 since the All-Star Break. But six straight losses to the Braves and Cubs at home have deflated the balloon despite back to back wins over the Phillies to end the month. But the Mets and Phillies have something to fight for unlike the Miami Marlins who are marching towards a 100 plus loss season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, on the other hand, are destined for yet another 100 win season and a 7th straight NL West title. Their magic number is 9 and should clinch in a week, maybe less. The Dodgers enjoy a 17 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. But as mentioned earlier, the D'Backs are only 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the second WC berth. They finished August with six straight wins and victories 7 of their last 10 games. The San Francisco Giants will not be giving Bruce Bochy the sendoff for which they were hoping. After beginning August only two games back in the NL Wild Card race, an 11-16 output last month has placed them back under .500. Barring an incredible September, the San Diego Padres seem destined for their ninth consecutive losing season. The Colorado Rockies are the NL's most disappointing team. After back to back NL Wild Card berths in 2017 and 2018, they begin September 28.5 games back of the Dodgers ending August with five straight losses and defeat in 9 of their last 10 games.
Although the Minnesota Twins briefly ceded control of the AL Central to the Cleveland Indians they end August with four game lead over the Tribe on the strength of a MLB single season record for home runs. The Indians have the top berth in the AL Wild Card, but only have a half game lead over the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays. So the Indians would much rather overcome the Twins if possible. After losing 15 of 19 games after the All-Star Break, the Chicago White Sox played far better in August barely finishing under .500 for the month. This is a team to look out for in 2020. The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, will both likely lose 100 plus games this season.
Ditto for the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Toronto Blue Jays could lose 100 games, but with Bo Bichette joining the Vladimir Guerrero, Jr and Cavan Biggio party there is much more optimism north of the border. The New York Yankees won 21 out of 30 games in August and will probably do the same despite playing a majority of their games on the road this month. The Tampa Bay Rays are percentage points ahead of the Oakland A's for the second AL Wild Card berth as they try to reach the post-season for the first time since 2013. The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have a shot at a WC berth, but their pitching will need to improve as they are 5.5 games back.
The Houston Astros end August with a 9 game lead over the Oakland A's and are likely to win their third straight AL West title. As mentioned the A's are very much in the thick of reaching a second straight AL Wild Card berth. The Texas Rangers began August at .500. They didn't end it that way. After two straight last place finishes, a .500 season would be most satisfying for the Rangers. Despite yet another MVP like season for Mike Trout, the Angels went 9-18 in August with the cloud of pitcher Tyler Skaggs' death still hanging over the club. The Angels can take comfort that they will finish ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
What will September bring? Can the Red Sox get into the AL Wild Card mix with the Tribe, Rays and A's? Are the Nats and Cubs entrenched in the NL Wild Card? Or will the D'Backs, Phillies, Brewers or Mets have something to say about it?
Friday, August 30, 2019
Valerie Harper, R.I.P.
Actress Valerie Harper has passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 80.
A dancer by training, Harper gained renown for her portrayal of Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on her own spinoff Rhoda. Rhoda Morgenstern was the perfect counterpart to Tyler Moore's Mary Richards. She won four Emmys for her work as Rhoda Morgenstern (three on MTM and one on Rhoda).
Harper would never replicate her Mary Tyler Moore/Rhoda success. During the late 1980's, she starred in NBC's Valerie. Although critically acclaimed, differences with the production company and network would ultimately result in her dismissal from the series and would be replaced by Sandy Duncan and the series would be retooled as The Hogan Family. Although Harper and her husband would collect damages as a result of a lawsuit, Harper would never again be cast in a TV series.
Much of Harper's later career would be focused on stage most notably for her portrayal of Tallulah Bankhead in Looped for which she received a Tony nomination. Harper spent most of the 2010's battling cancer, but did recover sufficiently to return to her roots as a dancer appearing as a contestant on ABC's Dancing With The Stars in 2013. That same year Harper would reunite with MTM co-stars Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White, Cloris Leachman and Georgia Engel in an episode of Hot in Cleveland. Six year later, only White and Leachman are still with us. A sobering thought. R.I.P.
A dancer by training, Harper gained renown for her portrayal of Rhoda Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on her own spinoff Rhoda. Rhoda Morgenstern was the perfect counterpart to Tyler Moore's Mary Richards. She won four Emmys for her work as Rhoda Morgenstern (three on MTM and one on Rhoda).
Harper would never replicate her Mary Tyler Moore/Rhoda success. During the late 1980's, she starred in NBC's Valerie. Although critically acclaimed, differences with the production company and network would ultimately result in her dismissal from the series and would be replaced by Sandy Duncan and the series would be retooled as The Hogan Family. Although Harper and her husband would collect damages as a result of a lawsuit, Harper would never again be cast in a TV series.
Much of Harper's later career would be focused on stage most notably for her portrayal of Tallulah Bankhead in Looped for which she received a Tony nomination. Harper spent most of the 2010's battling cancer, but did recover sufficiently to return to her roots as a dancer appearing as a contestant on ABC's Dancing With The Stars in 2013. That same year Harper would reunite with MTM co-stars Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White, Cloris Leachman and Georgia Engel in an episode of Hot in Cleveland. Six year later, only White and Leachman are still with us. A sobering thought. R.I.P.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Mattis Subtlety Suggests We Send Trump Home
I read former Defense Secretary James Mattis' op-ed in The Wall Street Journal and was struck about his restraint. This quality should be unsurprising in a military man where discipline is the order of the day. Yet given the manner in which President Trump publicly boasted at a Cabinet Meeting on January 2, 2019 that he had "essentially" fired Mattis following his resignation, one must appreciate the quality and subtlety of his rebuke:
When I served as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, a new post created in 2002 to help streamline and reform NATO’s command structure, I served with a brilliant admiral from a European nation. He looked and acted every inch the forceful leader. Too forceful: He yelled, dressing officers down in front of others, and publicly mocked reports that he considered shallow instead of clarifying what he wanted. He was harsh and inconsiderate, and his subordinates were fearful.
I called in the admiral and carefully explained why I disapproved of his leadership. “Your staff resents you,” I said. “You’re disappointed in their input. OK. But your criticism makes that input worse, not better. You’re going the wrong way. You cannot allow your passion for excellence to destroy your compassion for them as human beings.” This was a point I had always driven home to my subordinates.
“Change your leadership style,” I continued. “Coach and encourage; don’t berate, least of all in public.”
But he soon reverted to demeaning his subordinates. I shouldn’t have been surprised. When for decades you have been rewarded and promoted, it’s difficult to break the habits you’ve acquired, regardless of how they may have worked in another setting. Finally, I told him to go home.
Mattis might have been specifically writing about a European admiral, but he was really talking about an American President. How often has Trump dressed down his subordinates in front of others? How often has Trump publicly mocked reports critical of him as "fake news"? Can there be two more fitting words to describe Trump than harsh and inconsiderate?
There can be no doubt that General Mattis is telling Americans to send President Trump home. Will we follow his advice?
When I served as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, a new post created in 2002 to help streamline and reform NATO’s command structure, I served with a brilliant admiral from a European nation. He looked and acted every inch the forceful leader. Too forceful: He yelled, dressing officers down in front of others, and publicly mocked reports that he considered shallow instead of clarifying what he wanted. He was harsh and inconsiderate, and his subordinates were fearful.
I called in the admiral and carefully explained why I disapproved of his leadership. “Your staff resents you,” I said. “You’re disappointed in their input. OK. But your criticism makes that input worse, not better. You’re going the wrong way. You cannot allow your passion for excellence to destroy your compassion for them as human beings.” This was a point I had always driven home to my subordinates.
“Change your leadership style,” I continued. “Coach and encourage; don’t berate, least of all in public.”
But he soon reverted to demeaning his subordinates. I shouldn’t have been surprised. When for decades you have been rewarded and promoted, it’s difficult to break the habits you’ve acquired, regardless of how they may have worked in another setting. Finally, I told him to go home.
Mattis might have been specifically writing about a European admiral, but he was really talking about an American President. How often has Trump dressed down his subordinates in front of others? How often has Trump publicly mocked reports critical of him as "fake news"? Can there be two more fitting words to describe Trump than harsh and inconsiderate?
There can be no doubt that General Mattis is telling Americans to send President Trump home. Will we follow his advice?
Monday, August 26, 2019
#MelaniaLovesTrudeau; But What About Canadian Voters?
For the past day or so, #MelaniaLovesTrudeau has been trending on Twitter based on this photo taken during the G-7 in France.
Given her choice of men, the First Lady does look rather interested in Trudeau the younger and he isn't doing anything to discourage her flirtations. However, Trudeau ought to spend his time wooing Canadians rather than Mrs. Trump because in two months from now she might have to gaze into the eyes of Andrew Scheer. Most recent polls have Scheer's Conservative Party leading (albeit within the margin of error). Nevertheless, with the SNC-Lavalin scandal not going away, Trudeau has his work cut out for him. At the moment, a majority of Canadian voters are not looking at Trudeau the way Melania Trump does.
Given her choice of men, the First Lady does look rather interested in Trudeau the younger and he isn't doing anything to discourage her flirtations. However, Trudeau ought to spend his time wooing Canadians rather than Mrs. Trump because in two months from now she might have to gaze into the eyes of Andrew Scheer. Most recent polls have Scheer's Conservative Party leading (albeit within the margin of error). Nevertheless, with the SNC-Lavalin scandal not going away, Trudeau has his work cut out for him. At the moment, a majority of Canadian voters are not looking at Trudeau the way Melania Trump does.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Joe Walsh Walks The Walk
Ten days ago, I asked whether former Congressman and conservative talk radio host Joe Walsh would walk the walk instead of talk the talk and challenge President Trump in the Republican primaries.
Well, today we have our answer.
Bravo!!! Three cheers!!!
Of course, he will be even more despised by Trump supporters while many on The Left views him as no different than Trump. The former is understandable, the latter is not. If you're a Democrat or a socialist, you don't have to like Walsh. But they must understand that Walsh's presence in the Republican primary will harm Trump. Even if Walsh doesn't defeat Trump, he can harm him enough to lose the general election. The Left would be wise to sit back and enjoy the fight and worry about the quality of their own candidates.
Should Walsh (who follows me on Twitter) still be on the ballot by the time of the New York Primary (whenever that might be scheduled) then I shall cast a ballot for him.
Well, today we have our answer.
Bravo!!! Three cheers!!!
Of course, he will be even more despised by Trump supporters while many on The Left views him as no different than Trump. The former is understandable, the latter is not. If you're a Democrat or a socialist, you don't have to like Walsh. But they must understand that Walsh's presence in the Republican primary will harm Trump. Even if Walsh doesn't defeat Trump, he can harm him enough to lose the general election. The Left would be wise to sit back and enjoy the fight and worry about the quality of their own candidates.
Should Walsh (who follows me on Twitter) still be on the ballot by the time of the New York Primary (whenever that might be scheduled) then I shall cast a ballot for him.
Friday, August 23, 2019
Moulton: Trump Will Be Harder to Beat Than Most People Think
Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton announced his departure from the 2020 Democratic presidential race with a warning for his party, “I’ve always said that veering too far left could result in us losing this election, and that Trump will be harder to beat than most people think.”
I'm sure Moulton's advice will get about as much attention as his presidential campaign, but Democrats ought to listen.
For all of Trump's lunacy regarding his diplomatic spat with Denmark over Greenland, proclaiming himself as "the Chosen One" and telling American born Congresswomen to go back from where they came, there are still people who will vote for him whether they admit it or not. Trump still has plenty of supporters who will run through a wall for him and then rebuild and pay for it. There are still many Democrats who think they have the White House sown up. Evidently the lessons of 2016 haven't sunken in. Voters are bound to be leery of Medicare For All after the Obamacare debacle not to mention the Green New Deal, student loan forgiveness and the possibility of reparations. How much will all this cost the taxpayer? Trump will continue to say and do stupid things. But people have short memories and slimmer pocketbooks.
Of course, a lot of it depends on who Democrats nominate. For his part, Moulton believes the race is down to Biden, Bernie and Warren. Moulton all but endorsed Biden, but didn't come out and say it because there's no guarantee he'll survive a primary on Massachusetts' North Shore. Biden is gaffe prone and has done some no-no activity like plagiarism, but voters don't view him as malicious in the way Trump is. Bernie is ornery and not in a Larry David kind of way. Warren is book smart, but not street smart and her ongoing problems with claiming Native ancestry will give voters reason to perceive her as a phony.
If Moulton is right and it is down to the three of them then Biden is the most viable candidate against Trump. But at this point I wouldn't count out Buttigieg, Castro, Booker or even Kamala Harris out of the race just quite yet. Nor for that matter would I count out President Trump however foolish his conduct has been and will continue to be.
I'm sure Moulton's advice will get about as much attention as his presidential campaign, but Democrats ought to listen.
For all of Trump's lunacy regarding his diplomatic spat with Denmark over Greenland, proclaiming himself as "the Chosen One" and telling American born Congresswomen to go back from where they came, there are still people who will vote for him whether they admit it or not. Trump still has plenty of supporters who will run through a wall for him and then rebuild and pay for it. There are still many Democrats who think they have the White House sown up. Evidently the lessons of 2016 haven't sunken in. Voters are bound to be leery of Medicare For All after the Obamacare debacle not to mention the Green New Deal, student loan forgiveness and the possibility of reparations. How much will all this cost the taxpayer? Trump will continue to say and do stupid things. But people have short memories and slimmer pocketbooks.
Of course, a lot of it depends on who Democrats nominate. For his part, Moulton believes the race is down to Biden, Bernie and Warren. Moulton all but endorsed Biden, but didn't come out and say it because there's no guarantee he'll survive a primary on Massachusetts' North Shore. Biden is gaffe prone and has done some no-no activity like plagiarism, but voters don't view him as malicious in the way Trump is. Bernie is ornery and not in a Larry David kind of way. Warren is book smart, but not street smart and her ongoing problems with claiming Native ancestry will give voters reason to perceive her as a phony.
If Moulton is right and it is down to the three of them then Biden is the most viable candidate against Trump. But at this point I wouldn't count out Buttigieg, Castro, Booker or even Kamala Harris out of the race just quite yet. Nor for that matter would I count out President Trump however foolish his conduct has been and will continue to be.
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