Non-Shabby

Two more weeks, and no new blogs. I really have to get on the ball here. There are times in baseball when things happen that defy our understanding. Like me failing to write blogs in an appropriate or timely manner. And there are some moments that stamp a date into history. A few of these moments have happened lately. Three things to be exact.
First, we will start with a story that didn't get the attention it rightfully deserved. On June 2, 2010, Ken Griffey Jr. released a public announcement that he was retiring. Why wasn't this bigger news, you may ask? Well, it just so happened to be the same day a perfect game was taken away from Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. But let's stay on Junior.
Ken Griffey Jr.'s prime was some years ago, but what a prime it was! For 11 seasons, the Kid remade Seattle Mariners baseball. He exemplified agility, speed, power, fielding, and an ability to hit for solid average. Six times as a Mariner he hit 40 or more homeruns. Between 1996 and 1999, his last four years in Seattle, Ken hit 209 homers, and drove in 567 runs. Those numbers are staggering. A ten-time Gold Glover, a seven-time Silver Slugger, a thirteen-time All-Star, and the 1997 AL MVP, Junior was on his way to breaking possibly every significant record in baseball lore.
However, a long stint in Cincinnati was not what the doctor ordered. And to be sure, doctors were plentiful around Griffey. Only twice, in his eight years with the Reds, did Junior play more than 140 games. Injuries plagued him throughout the remainder of his career, robbing him of his power, agility, and speed. One thing Griffey never lost though, was his eye. He maintained a high on-base-percentage, even while on bad teams, finally settling at a mark of .370 for his career.
After being traded to the Chicago White Sox mid-season in '08, he then made a return trip to Seattle in '09. At the end of that season, Griffey had one of the most memorable send-offs in baseball history. He was carried on his teammates' shoulders around the ballpark to a standing ovation. Unfortunately though, Griffey decided to stay around just a couple months too long, and went out with a whimper, instead of a glorious farewell. Griffey did finish his Major League tour with 630 homeruns, however, which is fifth all-time. And that's not shabby. So take it easy Kid, we'll miss you.
What happened to distract from such big news? Well, I've already told you, (pay attention) a perfect game. Well, almost one. Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga pitched what looked like a perfect game on June 3. With one out left in the 9th inning versus the Cleveland Indians, Galarraga got Jason Donald to hit a grounder between first and second base. Galaragga covered first and Jason was called out...wait safe?! Yeah, that's right folks, it was a close call, but not that close. Video review showed conclusivley that Donald was out, and that Galarraga deserved a perfect game. That however, is not what actually happened. First base umpire Jim Joyce called the runner safe, forcing an awkward, disbelieving smile from Galarraga, a 28th out be recorded and outrage from the other Tigers players.
Immediately following the game, Joyce looked at the video, saw his mistake and admitted he blew the call. Very admirable. But it was national news now. People watched the replays on TV, tweeted about it, and wrote on their Facebook walls. Everyone had an opinion about what should be done. 'Give him the perfect game!' 'Let the call stand!' But ultimately it was up to Commissioner Bud Selig to decide. And the call remains. You may not agree with it, but as Associated Press writer Ben Walker put it, "What happens in an instant, must live forever." That's the nature of the game.
Galarraga handled it with class though, as did umpire Jim Joyce. Armando handed Joyce the lineup card the next day, and Joyce, with tears in his eyes, gave Galarraga a slap on the back. Even the Detroit faithful gave Joyce a round of applause for his gutsy behavior. But in the end, baseball is a game of human error, and this is why we love it. Was it the right call? I don't know. One thing I do know for certain, Galarraga received a shiny new Chevy Corvette for his effort, and that ain't shabby either.
The final big news that occurred, was the debut of another stellar rookie this season. On June 8th, Stephen Strasburg took on the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, and boy was this a show to see. The Washington Nationaly's #1 overall pick from 2009 breezed through his minor league assignments earlier this year, but this was the real test. Could he handle Major League hitters? Well he handled them alright, and then some. Strasburg struck out 14 Pirates on his way to his first Major League victory. He struck them out with his fastball that occassionally reached 100-mph. He got them with his curveball that snapped down and away from righties. He even got them with his 90-mph changeup. And he made them look silly. Now I'm not trying to insult the Pirates. Afterall, they are not a dominant team, and they had never seen Strasburg's ridiculous stuff, so who can blame them for looking bad while waving at his pitches.
But watching Strasburg was like watching the birth of a franchise. After every K, the 40,000-plus fans in attendance got louder and louder, because they knew they weren't just seeing a great performance. They were looking at their future. Strasburg may not strikeout 14 batters again this year, or maybe ever again. But he represents something to the Washington fanbase now. He is the hope that this team is in fact going somewhere. With a young, solid pitcher adding depth to an already potent offense, the Nats may prove to be contenders sooner than we all thought. Not too shabby youngster.
In closing I'd just like to add a final note. Carlos Pena, the first-baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, just ended his bid to hit a homerun in seven consecutive games. He hit a total of seven out of the park this week, while driving in ten. And yet his average still remains below .200. I've seen windshields that have been wiped by New York City bums that are less streaky. Holy Cow!