Sorry, this is a bit overdue, and I cannot believe there was no previous mention of this game on this board.
Last Thursday evening, in Oakland against the Texas Rangers, one of the best hitting teams in all of baseball, this was without a doubt the best pitched game I have ever witnessed. This guy was in such a groove (99 MPH in the very first inning) he had the Rangers swinging at the first pitch out of desperation, just to make contact. He was so effective that he threw only 80 pitches, 61 for strikes, in the whole game. (He was assessed an extra ball, or pitch, for touching his fingers to his lips while on the mound.)
This total of 81 pitches was the lowest total ever by an Oakland pitcher, and there have been quite a few great ones over the last many years. The perfect game was finally stopped with a broken-bat single with one out in the eighth. (Ironically, the very next evening, same ballpark, same teams, Barry Zito had a no-hitter for 7 and 1/3 innings. But, his pitching was nowhere near the level of Harden's the night before, and Zito already has a Cy Young Award under his belt.) From what I have observed over the last few years, Harden may be the very best pitcher in all of baseball. And, he is still so young.
There have been many theories about his performance that night, but to me it is quite clear. He was making a statement of his happiness about the return of Hockey, admittedly still his favorite sport. Once a Canadian, always a Canadian, eh? Go A's.
Last Thursday evening, in Oakland against the Texas Rangers, one of the best hitting teams in all of baseball, this was without a doubt the best pitched game I have ever witnessed. This guy was in such a groove (99 MPH in the very first inning) he had the Rangers swinging at the first pitch out of desperation, just to make contact. He was so effective that he threw only 80 pitches, 61 for strikes, in the whole game. (He was assessed an extra ball, or pitch, for touching his fingers to his lips while on the mound.)
This total of 81 pitches was the lowest total ever by an Oakland pitcher, and there have been quite a few great ones over the last many years. The perfect game was finally stopped with a broken-bat single with one out in the eighth. (Ironically, the very next evening, same ballpark, same teams, Barry Zito had a no-hitter for 7 and 1/3 innings. But, his pitching was nowhere near the level of Harden's the night before, and Zito already has a Cy Young Award under his belt.) From what I have observed over the last few years, Harden may be the very best pitcher in all of baseball. And, he is still so young.
There have been many theories about his performance that night, but to me it is quite clear. He was making a statement of his happiness about the return of Hockey, admittedly still his favorite sport. Once a Canadian, always a Canadian, eh? Go A's.
