Monday, April 26, 2021

It's time to give no-hit credit where it's due

 Arizona's Madison Bumgarner no-hit the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd game of a Sunday doubleheader. Unfortunately, because the game was just 7 innings, under new guidelines enacted last year, and due to a 1991 ruling by then-commissioner Fay Vincent, who was in charge of a commission on statistical accuracy, Bumgarner gets no-credit for a no-no.

BOLLOCKS & BALDERDASH!!!

Vincent's decision, 30 years ago come September, erased no-hitters from the record book that were lost in extra innings or were complete games due to shortened length (darkness, rain) or because the pitcher was on the losing team.

With 7 innings per game the norm in doubleheaders, at least for now, we're going to see this happen again and again unless current commissioner Rob Manfred changes things. And after yesterday, you have to believe people are hoping he does.

Here's a highlight reel of yesterday's game:


Vincent and his staff of stat nerds took the first steps to geekifying baseball. It needs to end.

No comments: