While We’re Young (Ideas) on the New No-No
By TERRY LYONS
NEW YORK – On April 13th, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw was removed from a perfect game bid against the Minnesota Twins. Kershaw, in his season debut on a Wednesday afternoon, struck out 13 batters through seven perfect innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed Kershaw to begin the eighth inning, inserting lefty reliever Alex Vesia who later surrendered a single to Minnesota’s Gary Sánchez to break-up the no-hitter.
The no-hitter was foiled and there was a significant controversy surrounding Roberts’ decision.
Friday night, New York Mets starter Tylor Megill threw five innings and 88 pitches of no-hit baseball against the Philadelphia Phillies. Four relievers and 71 more pitches later, the Mets had their second no-hitter in franchise history and the team celebrated as if they’d won a World Series game.
Upon Megill’s exit, the Mets entire bullpen took over, with Drew Smith, JoelyRodríguez, Seth Lugo and closer Edwin Díaz completing the second no-hitter in Mets history. Diaz mowed down the Phillies and struck-out the side to secure the no-no.
The 159 pitches thrown by the Mets’ pitchers were the most for any no-hitter since pitch counts have been tracked (since 1988).
Thus is the new no-no. The no-hitter of the roaring ‘2020s when starters only go five or six (maybe seven) innings, then the set-up guy(s), then the closer for the ninth. That’s the way it’s going to be as Major League Baseball, the various team analytics, the protection of pitchers vs rising pitch counts.
Yes, there might be a rare occasion when a big league manager feels comfortable leaving his un-hittable pitcher in the game past the , maybe on a hot summer night when the pitch count is low and the crowd is roaring. But, the game has changed and the combined team no-hitter is going to be just as acceptable to the team, the pitchers, the media and the fans as we all get used to the new era of baseball.
 |
HERE NOW, THE NOTES: We haven’t seen defending PGA Champion Phil Mickelson since he missed the cut at Torrey Pines in January, but we heard a bit more than anyone would prefer when a segment of his unauthorized biography by author Alan Shipnuck was released and “Lefty’s” pushback against the PGA Tour and his (supposed) plans to join-up with Greg Normanand the LIV (Saudi-based) golf tour were made known. This week came news of Mickelson registering to play the PGA and U.S. Open while requesting release from the Tour to participate in the June 9-to-11) inaugural LIV event. … The Mickelson revelation of the Saudi venture being “scary” and his willingness to look past human right violations and the like brought on severe criticism from fans and fellow Tour pros to which Mickelson offered-up apologies days after the controversy broke and his reputation and sponsorships went south. … KMPG and Workday each ended their relationships with Mickelson while golf club maker Callaway “paused” its association with him. … The inaugural LIV event is planned for the Centurion Golf Club on the outskirts of London, England while the fourth scheduled event is planned for the International, located in Bolton, Massachusetts and not far from Boston. … The PGA Tour has threatened suspension (possibly a permanent suspension) for its tour pros who defect to the upstart, rival golf tour. … The LIV is offering huge tournament purses and prize money, team concepts and 54-hole, no-cut tournaments.
NBA IN SINGAPORE: According to a report in The Straits Times, and confirmed by Scott Levy of the NBA’s Asia regional office, the NBA is opening yet another regional satellite office, that being in Singapore, long a mainstay of basketball popularity. With the opening of the new office, the NBA stakes tentpoles in 15 markets worldwide: Beijing, Dakar, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Lagos, London, Madrid, Manila, Mexico City, Mumbai, New York/New Jersey, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Singapore and Toronto. … Singapore will host the fifth edition of the FIBA’s 3×3 Asia Cup from July 6 to 10 this summer.