It was on this date in 1990 that Mariners right-hander Brian Holman just missed out on perfect game immortality. Holman had set down the first 26 Athletics batters he faced, but allowed a pinch-hit homer to Ken Phelps to ruin the perfecto. Adding to the history of the moment, that homer ended up being Phelps' last of his 11-year career in the Majors.
Here's the latest from the AL West…
- If the Rangers win the World Series, Ian Kinsler feels it would be "really hard" to let Josh Hamilton leave for free agency, he tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Kinsler's gut feeling is that his good friend Hamilton will return to play for Texas in 2013.
- Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland talks to Fangraphs' David Laurila about his pitching experience in high school and college and how Moreland would be interested in coverting to relief pitching in the Majors "if I could no longer hit."
- The Angels' recent signings and extensions have left the team with relatively little open payroll space over the next few seasons, writes MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. L.A. is already committed to $74.2MM in 2016 to just four players (Albert Pujols, Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and the newly-extended Erick Aybar). "The easiest way you're going to create flexibility, and both forms of flexibility [on the payroll and on the roster], is to build from within," said GM Jerry Dipoto. "You have to do it. It's how this organization got where it was 10 years ago, and it's how we're going to maintain that position."
- The Angels' slow start could be caused by a lack of stability caused by the club's surplus of roster options, writes Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times. Including tonight's game against Baltimore, the Halos have used 12 different lineups in 14 games.
- In case you missed it earlier today, the Athletics claimed Australian right-hander Rich Thompson off waivers from the Angels.
[insert obligatory snide comment about Moreland’s current hitting abilities here]
Hope that saved some of you the trouble.
Moving on… Ian’s comments confuse me. If the Rangers win the series this year, wouldn’t there be less of a need to re-sign Hamilton, since his services would no longer be required? Does he mean it should be like a reward for helping the team reach that goal?
It means if you win one…typically you’d like to win another. I don’t get what confused you about Ian’s statement.
Why would Hamilton’s services not be required? I wouldn’t be satisfied with just one championship when you’re a dynasty caliber team.
I explained what was confusing about it. Not sure why you didn’t understand, but I’ll try again. If the Rangers win this year, they will no longer be chasing that first ring. If they are no longer chasing the ring, why would they need to pay Josh Hamilton whatever exorbitant contract he’ll demand? It makes sense to keep him around to help win, but once you get that win it’s not good business to give him a huge contract unless you want to reward him (not Jon Daniels’ style).
They have a farm system that is a huge strength and priority for the organization. THAT is your destiny; not overpaying every aging superstar currently on the roster. What are they, the Yankees?
It depends on what contract he’s looking for. I wouldn’t want a front office who would be satisfied with one championship and then let the players walk that got you there. We’re going to have the money. I’m glad that JD more than likely doesn’t think like you.
I’m pretty sure JD more than likely does think like me in that he makes his business decisions based on business rather than emotion. For example, CJ helped us get to the series but JD still let him walk rather than pay him more than he thought he was worth. I guess we shall see what God and JD have planned for ol’ Josh.
It’s more like adding insult to injury it seems. Phelps had to be that moment to hit his last homer?
IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
MLBTR has a copy of Trivial Pursuit: Baseball, and that’s how they always post those “on this date” things. Or they’re going to make one.
Tim, you bloody genius.
Actually, he’s making all of it up.
Everything I know is a lie.