ST. LOUIS – I’m a little disappointed.
Jacob DeGrom, the best pitcher in baseball, was scheduled to start for the Mets on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, but he was scratched hours before the scheduled first pitch. He felt Tightness from his side, And there is no possibility with the best pitcher in baseball. The MRI showed that he had swelling in his right leg and as soon as the MRI was reported, It’s definitely on the good side. The plan now is to rest for a few days to throw without the right hand.
Selfish, though? I was at the ballpark covering the game and had a grand plan to see degrom from several different vantage points around the stadium. I had to avoid that idea. I did not even see a game The threat of light rain postponed the competition.
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As writers, of course, we are not pulling for any player or team. However, we are original to memorable stories. We are hopeful for a glimpse of greatness, a call back to grow as baseball fans reading baseball fans’ stories and legends.
The books I checked from the local library were about Bobby Gibson and Babe Ruth about Sandy Koufax and Willie Mayes. These were the heroes of baseball who caught my attention and had a lifelong obsession with the game. These were the legends I wished I could see in person.
I can’t help but think about it Quotes from Andy Bernard in the series finale of “The Office”: “I think there was a way to get to know you in the ‘good old days’ before you actually left them.” And, of course, perhaps it only applies loosely, but it was a good reminder to watch great players influence our chances to see performances at the peak of their abilities.
Will deGrom – Did we mention that he is the best pitcher in baseball? – air in the hall of fame? He is definitely at a Cooperstown pace, but we are not speculating about the future right now. We are appreciated today.
And since the start of the 2018 season, Degrom has made 81 regular-season starts and posted a 1.99 ERA, with a 2.21 FIP and 22.2 bWAR. These numbers are easily the best in baseball in that period, and they put DeGrom in historic company.
I tried to find, using the baseball-required statad service How many pitches since 1920 were at least equal to 81, starting with ERA under 2.00. This is a short list.
– Greg Maddux: 1.74 ERA from June 16, 1993 to April 27, 1996
– Bob Gibson: 1.75 ERA from July 3, 1967 to April 26, 1970
– Sandy Koufax: 1.76 ERA from May 27, 1964 to July 5, 1966
– Clayton Kershaw: 1.82 ERA from 18 June 2014 to 17 May 2017
– Hall Neuhauser: 1.91 ERA from 27 August 1944 to 21 April 1947
– Pedro Martinez: 1.93 ERA from August 3, 1999 to August 10, 2002
– Jacob Degrom: 1.99 ERA from March 31, 2018 to April 28, 2021
This is one hell of a list, folks. Five Hall of Famers, a Future Hall of Famer (Kersh) and Degrom. I was hoping to do an 82-game search after watching him on Tuesday night. Oh well
Because here’s the thing: As good as he was in 2018-20 – when he won two NL Cy Young awards and finished third the second year – he has been better in 2021 so far. Sure, it’s only five starts, but he’s unbelievable, even by his lofty standards.
His 59 strikes hold the MLB record for most of the first five starts in a season. The man he tied? Nolan Ryan. Since 1950, only six players have an ERA better than five, compared to Dagrom’s 0.51. That list includes Pedro Martinez (Montreal year), Pinnacle Fernando Valenzuela and Don Sutton.
Watching DeGrom in person right now is seeing greatness, an artist at the peak of his craft. This is watching Dave Chappelle on the mic in a small comedy club. It is watching a fish concert live during the 1.0 era. It is looking at how Simone Biles dominates from inside the 2016 Olympic arena.
Watch the broadcast when digrom pitches, but if you can reach the ballpark when you are on the malls, do so. If we are lucky and have this hiccup fixed with a little rest, this season will be reduced to 27 or 28 this season.
Every one of them is watching an appointment, the chance to see the best pitcher in baseball should be the best pitcher in baseball.
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