On Thursday evening I took the opportunity to watch the replay of Spencer Turnbull’s no hitter from Tuesday night in Seattle. One might ask, why would you watch something when you know the outcome. The answer is simple. I wanted to watch a special performance that I didn’t see live. I wanted to see the special play that Tiger third baseman Jeimer Candelario made in the seventh inning to save the no hitter. I wanted to hear Jack Morris’ insight as the game was unfolding. Finally, knowing the outcome made it much more relaxing.
In most no-hitters, there is usually one or two special defensive plays that save the no-hitter. Candelario’s spectacular play on a short hop rocket to his backhand is one of the better plays that will be made all season. There were also some close plays at first throughout the game that went Turnbull’s way. During Galarraga’s 28 out almost no-hitter-perfect game, centerfielder Austin Jackson made a spectacular running catch to the first batter of the ninth inning. It was probably the greatest catch of the many Jackson had in his career. Without that spectacular catch, there never would have been an almost perfect game no-hitter. Jim Joyce’s kicking of the call at first would not have mattered. Without that spectacular play, we never would have saw the true character of Joyce and Galarraga that allowed them to win an ESPN Espy award for the sportsmanship they showed after the game.
The thing I really enjoyed about the replay of the no-hitter was listening to Tiger TV announcers Jack Morris and Matt Sheppard. They started talking about the no-hitter in the 6th inning, unlike many broadcasters who do not mention a no-hitter because they are afraid of “jinxing” the pitcher. Beginning in the sixth inning, Morris started to share what he believed was going on in Turnbull’s mind and what he needed to do to stay on task based on what Morris went through in his no-hitter in 1984. It isn’t often that a hall of fame pitcher who is one of only 6 Tiger pitchers to throw a no-hitter gets to broadcast a no-hitter for one of the other Tiger pitchers. What also made it special was knowing the Morris had taken Turnbull under his wing and was a mentor for Turnbull since Turnbull became part of the organization in 2018.
As I was watching the replay, I was thinking about the plate umpire, Angel Hernandez. Although a long time MLB umpire, it was Hernandez’s first major league no-hitter as the plate umpire. I was trying to put into perspective what Hernandez was going through as the game was unfolding. I am sure he knew heading into the 9th inning that Turnbull had a no hitter because it is indicated on scoreboards throughout the stadium. As an umpire, you do not want to be the one who spoils a no-hitter by missing a pitch and changing how the pitcher needs to attack the batter which results in a base hit. If it is a perfect game, you do not want to miss a pitch that causes a walk that ruins the pitcher’s no hitter.
In my years of umpiring, I recall three games that involved no-hitters or perfect games. In one game, I was the plate umpire and I knew going into the 7th and final inning that the pitcher had a perfect game. I was a nervous wreck. Unfortunately, the first batter of the inning hit a double, ruining the no hitter and perfect game. In another game, I was the base umpire and I realized the pitcher had a perfect game going after the fourth inning. I was getting more and more nervous as the game went on because I didn’t want a close play at first that could have ruined the perfect game. The plate umpire was so focused he had no idea that one of the pitchers had a perfect game going on into the 7th inning. Unfortunately, the first batter of the inning walked after fouling off multiple pitches. It was a great at bat and he deserved the walk. The pitcher got the next three batters to preserve his no-hitter. After the game, I called the plate umpire a “meanie” for walking the first batter of the 7th inning. The plate umpire had no idea why I was calling him a “meanie” until I told him about the almost perfect game. The plate umpire was devastated and felt so bad, he went and apologized the pitcher, explaining to him that he had no idea the kid had a perfect game going. The pitcher handled it perfectly as he told the umpire not to worry about it. I told the umpire not to worry about it also, because he called the pitches correctly.
Just recently, I umpired a 11 inning no hitter. Since the game was 0-0 through the first 10 innings, I was only focused on taking my time and calling the pitches correctly. I had no idea the one team was throwing a no-hitter until one of the coaches told me and my partner about it well after the game while we were in the parking lot removing our equipment. I was shocked that it was an 11-inning no-hitter. I didn’t really believe it, until I saw the box score a few days later.
I have had it both ways where I knew about the no-hitter and where I didn’t know about it. My preference is to not know about it. Umpiring is hard enough. Worrying about screwing up a no hitter, just makes it harder.
Stay safe, wash your hands regularly, social distance, wear your mask properly and schedule your vaccine.
Orchid of the Day: Bally Sports Detroit for showing the replay of Turnbull’s no-hitter.
Onion of the Day: Any politician who didn’t support the bi-partisan independent investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
Quote of the Day: “We need answers on the 1/6 insurrection—but many of my [Republican] colleagues are indicating they will vote against an independent investigation. When people start moving heaven and earth to block an investigation, I have to wonder if there is something to hide.” Senator Angus King, Jr. Independent from Missouri