Comments on: The Halladay Syndrome

By: Rey

Rey — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:48:09 +0000

I hate this about sports. I wish there were no trades allowed in season. Probably because Cleveland trades away their best pitcher every year. But I do hate it for any team.

Heard that the Phillies did not want to give up who the Jays wanted and now the Dodgers and Angels(?) have made offers.

By: Smitty

Smitty — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:46:20 +0000

Interesting that Buerhle’s no-hitter and perfect game came against two of best offensive teams during that season – Texas Rangers and Tampa.

In fact Buerhle almost threw a perfect game in that no-hitter. The only blemish -a walk to Sammy Sossa, who he promptly picked off.

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:41:40 +0000

Some other factoids about Buehrle’s perfecto.

The average Tampa at bat lasted 54 seconds. 18 Tampa Bay batters took 50 seconds or less at the plate.

Dewayne Wise who saved perfection was brought in as a defensive replacement that inning.

The home plate umpire, Eric Cooper, also called Buehrle’s no-hitter.

The Rays might be the best team since the ’55 Dodgers to be no-hit. The Rays are third in the league in runs scored. Dem Bums won the World Series.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:48:23 +0000

Hey … what about Cliff Lee being traded to a contender as well??? He would also make a huge difference. Last year’s Cy Young winner has a 3.17 ERA with 2 complete game wins in his last 2 starts. The Tribe has got to be throwing in the towel on this season.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:39:45 +0000

Yes, Chas, he’s a “poor man’s Greg Maddux”. Doubt that Buehrle will ever win a Cy Young because he doesn’t have dominant stuff. He pitches in a hitter’s ballpark, ERA likely never below 3.00, will be lucky to ever notch 20 wins in a season. He just competes every time out and eats up innings with first pitch strikes and many quick innings. Gets the ball and fires it … fielders love that. But if he can average 14-15 wins for another 8 years and keep that stellar winning %, we’re looking at a guy who may hit 260 wins … and in this era, that’s HoF stuff, esp when you toss in the two no-no’s.

I realize it’s tough to project 8 years out, so I’ll calm down about it. It’s just rare that a guy on “my team” gets the spotlight … the ChiSox are lucky to have such a class act/winner on their team for several years. Not many Chicago southside pitchers in the last 50 years have anchored the staff and enjoyed this type of success. My parents always talked about Billy Pierce (’50s). He was 202-158 and 3.27 ERA while with the Sox … a 7 time All-Star. Never a Cy Young, but a 20 game winner twice. I think Whitey Ford often stole his thunder … at least that’s what my Dad says.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:55:44 +0000

Oh … and at 30 years old, Buehrle has a 133-90 record … winning at a .590 clip for his career. That’s pretty darned good isn’t it? I think he’s quite similar to Halladay in that regard. If he keeps this up for another 7-8 years, Buehrle will be a serious HoF candidate.

By: Chas

Chas — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:53:51 +0000

I thought Buehrle’s lack of really dominating, nasty stuff had finally caught up with him in ’06 and his career would slide downhill from there, but he turned it back around and has been the same consistent pitcher that he was before that off-year. As long as you acknowledge that he’s more of a poor man’s left-handed version of Greg Maddux, that’s a pretty good comparison, Wally.

Oh yeah, Halladay…one more week of listening to all the B.S. and negotiating through the press. That is, unless he doesn’t get moved and this thing drags into the off-season. It’s like Johan Santana all over again. I hope he gets traded to the National League. Maybe he could help them win an All-Star game one of these years.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:52:43 +0000

Good point about that catch, Casey. Generally, I’m quite impressed with the number and quality of daily web gems that ESPN replays. There’s a lot of great athletes flashing the leather in baseball these days and it’s good to see!

By: Casey

Casey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:53:50 +0000

Good to see the baseball discussion churning on the Pine.

Caught the last two outs of Buehrle’s perfecto. How about the catch made in center? Great stuff.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:27:17 +0000

The White Sox were hot after Jake Peavey before he nixed the deal in May, so I don’t know why they wouldn’t also be seriously interested in a trade for Halladay. The ChiSox are now tied for first in the Central and having Halladay certainly pushes them into a serious pennant winning discussion. On the other hand, Kenny Williams is kidding himself if he thinks this current Sox roster is good enough to make it to the WS.

Carlos Quentin is back and getting a Roy Halladay pushes the Palehose into serious contention.

How about Buehrle’s perfect game today??? He’s kinda of a “left-handed Greg Maddux” …. works quick, throws strikes, makes ‘em hit it … usually into the ground. Although he’s lacking a few Cy Youngs, so comparing him to Maddux is not fair on that basis.