Farewell to a pair of the game's greats

The game of baseball lost two old-timers this week, as beloved Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell passed away at the age of 92 and Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts died at 83.

Harwell is best known for his 42 years broadcasting Tiger games, but before his career in Detroit, Harwell made history.  For this, I turn to wikipedia: In 1948, Harwell became the only announcer in baseball history to be traded for a player when the Brooklyn Dodgers' general manager, Branch Rickey, traded catcher Cliff Dapper to the Crackers in exchange for breaking Harwell's broadcasting contract.

In 1981, Harwell became the fifth broadcaster to receive the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Harwell was inducted into The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1989, and in 1998, he was elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Radio Hall of Fame.  “The Voice of the Tigers” retired after the 2002 season.

Roberts spent the bulk of his career with the Phillies.  His best full season came in 1952, when he led the majors with 28 wins, 30 complete games, and 330 innings pitched, all of which would be considered absurd numbers in today’s game.  He won 20 games six years in a row, throwing 300 innings in each of those seasons as well.  Though he was a seven-time All-Star, Roberts never won a Cy Young Award, as the award was introduced in 1956, just after the peak of Roberts’s career.  He finished with 286 wins, 305 complete games, 2,357 strikeouts, and a 3.41 ERA.  Roberts also holds the record for surrendering the most home runs in major league history, with 505.  Jamie Moyer – still pitching (for the Phillies, no less) at age 47 – has allowed 498 and could pass Roberts some time this season.

Both baseball men will be missed.

How ‘bout that?

How about Ubaldo Jimenez?  In addition to throwing a no-hitter in his third start of the season, Jimenez has held opponents to a .182 batting average and owns an outstanding 0.87 ERA to go with a perfect 6-0 record.  If not for the six walks he allowed in his no-hitter, Jimenez’s WHIP (1.02) would be under one.  In the first month of the season, Jimenez has been better than excellent; in a word, he has been exceptional.  He is the main reason the Rockies have a .500 record (14-14).  If the season ended today, Jimenez would deserve not only the Cy Young Award but also serious consideration for the NL MVP.

How about Jose Molina?  The Blue Jays catcher, signed during the offseason for his game-calling ability and defensive skills, showed his worth in a game against the Rays on April 25^th.  In the first four innings of the game, Molina threw out four Tampa Bay runners trying to steal, including speedsters Carl Crawford twice and B.J. Upton once.  He would have kept going, but the Rays either got tired of running or finally learned their lesson.  Before Molina, the last time a catcher threw out four would-be base stealers in a game was 2002, when Charles Johnson of the Marlins accomplished the feat.

How about the Rays?  Thanks to their tremendous pitching, Tampa Bay is the first (and only) team with 20 wins; an incredible 12-1 on the road has led them to an overall record of 21-7.  In addition to a combined 17-3 record, their starting pitchers hold the following Earned Run Averages:

Garza 2.09

Niemann 2.23

Price 2.34

Davis 2.79

Shields 3.15

With a rotation like that, it’s no wonder the Rays are the best team in baseball.

Wishing a speedy recovery to a trio of fan favorites

Bob Uecker underwent heart surgery and will miss 10-12 weeks of broadcasting the Milwaukee Brewers.  My first exposure to Uecker was in the Major League movies, but my favorite quote of his was not from his acting career.  Rather, it refers to his less-than-spectacular playing career.  (Uecker hit .200 in six big-league seasons.)  Without further ado, here it is: "The biggest thrill a ballplayer can have is when your son takes after you. That happened when my Bobby was in his championship Little League game. He really showed me something. Struck out three times. Made an error that lost the game. Parents were throwing things at our car and swearing at us as we drove off. Gosh, I was proud."

Curtis Granderson was placed on the Disabled List last weekend after suffering a groin injury; he’ll be out of commission up to four weeks and will miss the Yankees’ series with his former team, the Detroit Tigers.  I don’t wish injuries on any athletes, but Granderson is such a nice guy, I especially hate to see him unable to play the game he loves.