Nothing like the Colorado Rocky Mountain High of a 4-hour, 11-inning, offense-filled victory at Coors Field.
Saturday night, though, is another challenge.
The ageless wonder, 49-year old Jamie Moyer faces Mike Minor in Game Two.
Here are some fun facts about Jamie Moyer:
-He the 3rd pitcher in baseball history to win 100+ games AFTER his 40th birthday
-He was 66-77 in his first 10 big league years (until he reached Seattle in 1996). Since then, he is an astounding 186-127, with two 20-win seasons, 11 double-digit win seasons, and 190+ IP 9x.
-Is one of two in MLB history to go from 23 games UNDER .500 to 23 games OVER .500 in his career (Red Ruffing)
-Is one of 11 LHP in MLB history with 250+ wins
-Has allowed more HR than any other pitcher in history with 514
By the way, Moyer debuted with the Cubs in June of 1986. Mike Minor was BORN December 26, 1987.
But here's my question about Moyer. Is he a Hall of Famer?
Some believe that his candidacy is hurt because of his "finesse" style of pitching. He doesn't have 300 wins or 3000 strikeouts.
He doesn't light up radar guns. He personifies the craft of "pitching" though, much like Livan Hernandez. But to pitch more than 22 seasons and still be effective is a testament to his skill and longevity. Shouldn't that count as much as raw numbers?
After all, if you are still good enough to pitch and win in the Majors at 49, doesn't that, by definition, make you an elite player? And isn't that what the Baseball Hall of Fame is supposed to be about? What do you think?
While the bats got most of the ink after game one in Denver, one of my MVP's was Tim Hudson. With a lifetime mark of 0-2 7.77 at Coors, Tim's start began exactly the way the numbers would have indicated. But after allowing 5 first inning runs, Tim was great...retiring 13 of the next 14 Rockies hitters, which allowed the Braves offense to catch up and eventually take the lead. His next start should come in Chicago. I am sure he's looking forward to that thick infield grass and a steady breeze blowing in off Lake Michigan at the corner of Clark and Addison.
Better signs from the Braves bullpen in Game One. With a sky-high ERA so far in May, the Braves relief corps turned in 5 innings of 1-run ball last night, albeit with 6 walks. As Craig Kimbrel said after the game, breaking balls don't break at altitude...at least not as much elsewhere. Hopefully all those extra, and ultimately harmless pitches will give the Braves staff a much better feel for their stuff as we move through the weekend.
...until next time...
