Madison Bumgner on Sunday afternoon at Atlantis was spectacular.
In his quick postgame interview with the broadcast crew of The Diamondbacks, the big lefty credited Shadow at Trophy Park, but he was just being polite. It was the vintage Bumner, a welcome scene for Arizona baseball fans, who often watched a sub-version of the Giants’ World Series hero since he was signed to the desert before the 2020 season.
Bumgner faced 21 Atlanta players in seven innings, and did not allow a single hit or walk. The only runner reached an error in the second, but was quickly erased on a double play. Because it was a 2021 doubleheader, it was a seven-inning game. Bumner is credited with playing an entire game in the history books.
However he has not received credit for an “official” no-hitter.
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If you’ve checked on Baseball Twitter since the end of your Gems on Sunday afternoon – not an easy task, what is so much bandwidth with Oscar Twitter and NFL Twitter – you have no doubt that many and many All the smart baseball guys are watching the railing go against this decision, which led to MLB choosing to shorten the double header for the 2020 season and re-nominate for the 2021 campaign, long before Madame Rubber’s Sunday He reached the top only.
Definition from Elias Sports Bureau, Before the 2020 season: “No-hitter by teams and individuals will not be credited in scheduled seven-inning games, unless the game goes to extra innings and the team (or individual in a full game) at least. Pitches in nine innings and does it. ” Do not let the hit happen. “
Here’s an unpopular, but strongly held, opinion: keeping Madison Bumgner off the official list of no-hitters, as currently defined (we’ll get back to this), is the right call.
Because here’s the truth: Getting 21 outs without allowing one hit is not the same as getting 27 outs without a hit. It is not just that, and any argument to the contrary is silly and incorrect. Neither is easy, obviously, but getting 21 outside sans hits is less challenging than getting 27 outs without allowing one hit. 307 are officially recognized no-hitters; Ask a lot about that list of 307s and they’ll tell you that the last six outs are the toughest outsiders of a no-hitter. Better yet, ask anyone who came close to a 27-out no-hitter and fall short, and they will definitely tell you that the final six are the hardest.
Here is a list of 11 no-hit bids that ended after the 24 boycott. Dave Staib is on that list for his August 4, 1989, effort; It was one of four times in Stibb’s career that he pitched one in the ninth inning, breaking him (he finally finished a no-hitter in 1990). The list of no-hit bids made through seven innings is, on the whole, much higher than the 307 completed list, the official no-hitter.
Once upon a time, Bumgarner’s gem was counted. But in 1991, the MLB formed a Baseball Statistical Accuracy Committee, chaired by Commissioner Fay Vincent, and the group came up with the resolution: Is an official no-hitter “A game in which a pitcher, or pitcher, gives no hits while pitching at least nine innings. A pitcher can skip a run or run until he pitches nine innings or more and gives a hit. “
Of course, Bumner argues that he never had a chance to pitch nine innings, as it was scheduled to be a seven-inning game. And if he didn’t get a chance to pitch in nine innings, he should get the credit for completing the game without allowing a hit by recognizing his game as an “official” no-hitter.
And, yes, it makes sense. I get the argument.
After the game he was asked if he thought it should be counted.
“I mean, I don’t know,” he said, in vintage Bumgner rhythms and diagrams. “I didn’t give any hits today. We are not in control of how many innings we are playing. I like the seven-inning double-header thing. I do not know. ”
The historical context is important, though. This is not the first time a pitcher has finished a game without allowing one hit and not given credit for an “official” no-hitter. According to the baseball-reference bullpen section, That the 1991 rule wiped out 31 no-hit gems from the official list; All of them were officially recognized final games, mostly eliminated by rain or darkness (on pre-stadium lights days).
It eliminated games such as Andy Hawkins’ eight-inning no-hit effort in 1990. The Hawkins Yankees and White Sox tied 0–0 in the bottom of the eighth position in Chicago. Two outsiders, young chixox speedster Sammy Sosa – yes, him – reached an error by third baseman Mike Blowers, and then he stole a second. Hawkins drove the next two batters to load the bases. Robin Ventura threw a lazy fly ball to left field that should have ended the innings, but Jim Leritz – a catcher traded – dropped the ball (it was air, but the ball hit squarely), and All three runners scored.
Evan Calderone then threw a lazy fly ball to right field, but Jessie Barfield dropped that one as well, and Ventura outscored the White Sox 4–0. When the Yankees failed to tie the game in the top of the ninth, the game ended. Hawkins was initially at the no-hit club, but the 1991 ruling – a buzz, no doubt by the Hawkins game, and a six-short inning no-hitter by Melido Perez – booted him 11 days later.
Bumgner’s seven-inning no-hit effort is not the first scheduled seven-inning no-hit attempt in baseball history. Happened in 1906, When Jake Weimer of Cincinnati Shuts Brooklyn. Therefore, there is a historical precedent. Bumgarner’s plight is not unique. It is just new and therefore a talking point.
And, yes, it stinks for Bumgarner that he, essentially, had no chance of being included in the list. I completely agree.
So it is good to have this conversation, because something needs to be done to honor Bumgner’s gem, Weimar’s gem, and Hawkins’ outstanding effort. So here’s a solution: MLB is required to create a second “official” list of no-heaters (“What does officially really mean anyway?”). As per the 1991 committee decision, leave a list as it is.
The second includes everything: any No-hit attempts that are less than nine innings Scheduling, due to rain or darkness, as well as any hit attempts that lasted at least nine innings but eventually ended. Here is an amazing collection of those games. Pedro Martinez gets back in the fold after nine of his ideal innings in 1995 and Rich Hill’s nine no-hit frames in 2017 – both finishing in 10th – and Harvey Haddix’s 12 perfect innings that hit 13th in 1959 Worsened with This second official list will be filled with stories that make baseball great, fights and heartbreaking and all the good things.
This is a simple solution. It gives very qualified, often long overdue recognition pitchers who were not held by the narrowly defined terms of the 1991 committee decision. And it also keeps the traditional list of no-hitters well traditional. This is a win.
So be it, MLB And while you’re fixing things, get rid of the seven-inning double header and magical runner in the extra innings. Those who are harming the game.
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