Yet Another Even Closer Non-No-Hitter

Okay, I wrote about Matt Cain's flirt with a no-hitter during the last week of April. Well, on Monday, he did it again. This time - Cain again - it was a no-no with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the 8th inning before Chone Figgins broke it up.

What was strange was that I didn't realize he had a no-hitter going until late in the game. A first inning run by the Angels kind of took my mind off a no hitter because of the run scored. Figgins led off the game with a walk. He stole second and when the throw from the catcher ricocheted off the runner into left field, he got up and never stopped until he scored.

All in all it was a great game, the Giants won, and we were happy. But it, yet again, wasn't a no-hitter. #%$&@!

The Pre-Bleacher Bum

When I was in the 7th grade, I went on a field trip to an A's game with some kids from school. This was in about 1977. I remember that it was a day game vs. Milwaukee and we sat in the 2nd deck behind home plate. A young catcher for the Brewers was named Jamie Quirk. For some reason, we made fun of his name. When he came to bat I remember yelling, "Quirk's a jerk!" Why, I don't know. But it was an important point in baseball history.

715...I Heard About It

Writing about something that you just saw is natural. But maybe not writing about something you didn't see is too. Well, when Bonds got to 712 I tried to catch every one of his at bats possible. From 712 to 715, which stretched out over about two weeks, I either attended, watched on TV or listened to the radio every one of his at bats. Except for about 5 or 6. Of those I missed included both 714 and 715. A combination of a sick baby, a nephew's birthday, missing church and a few other distractions, I tuned into the radio about 15 minutes after he hit the home run. I saw 716 on TV.

At least I saw the replays.

Taking The Mound

While Jamey Wright was taking the mound last night for the Giants at Shea Stadium in New York, I was taking the mound at PacBell/SBC/AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Home Builders Association of Northern California's Sales & Marketing Council held their annual Marketing and Merchandising Excellence awards (our version of the Oscars) at the ballpark. It was a grand event. My firm had several finalists, including one project I worked on (we won!) and we had dinner in centerfield. We had complete access to the field, including dugouts and bullpen. First class all around. Barely visible is my Anchor Steam Beer, just above my left thigh, brewed in SF since 1896, and not visible is my red tie from the hall of fame (thank you Keith) or my wife from behind the camera phone. Technically speaking, I think I balked, but the night was a grand slam.