Friday, October 8, 2010

Doctober Off to a Memorable Start

By: Clayton Collier


      Okay. I know this isn't Met related, in fact it pertains to arguably their #1 rival but I have to recognize greatness when greatness occurs. Roy "The Doc" Halladay, the pride of Denver, Colorado, has done it again Wednesday night pitching his second no-hitter this season. During the regular season, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in major league history at Sun Life Stadium against the Florida Marlins. On Wednesday, The stakes were a little higher than a mid-May ballgame. Game 1 of the NLDS with Halladay making his postseason debut, shut down the potent Reds lineup, only surrendering a walk to Jay Bruce. With 2 out in the 9th innings, Brandon Phillips hit a grounder that was bare handed by Ruiz to make history.


      Wednesday's no-no marked just the second no-hitter in postseason history. The 1st, Don Larsen's perfect game in game 5 of the 1956 World Series facing the Brooklyn Dodgers. Don Larsen's masterpiece was even more incredible with the fact that hall of famers Roy Campanella, Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider were all penciled in the lineup that day and were dominated by Larsen.


      Halladay's no-hitter was obviously no easy feat either. Hallady faced all-stars like Brandon Phillps, Scott Rolen and MVP candidate Joey Votto. Halladay was on a roll as he faced only 28 batters while racking up 8 punchouts. Halladay became only the 5th pitcher in MLB history to have multiple no-hitters in a single season. The last man to do so was Nolan Ryan in 1973. Halladay also became the first hurler ever to have a no-hitter in the regular season and postseason.


     For a club that is already the team to beat, this event is the kind of momentum starter that can help carry a team deep into the postseason and maybe even into the fall classic.

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