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The FCP Top 5 of 2007

By Gary Armida

The 2007 baseball season may be better remembered for the events that took place off of the field. While those events, specifically the Mitchell Report and its fallout, are important, there were some tremendous moments on the field of play. Since this is a dedicated baseball site, we would like to highlight those events that made for a tremendous 2007 season.

Before we get to the top five, there were some great events that also deserve some recognition. First, the World Champion Boston Red Sox deserve their kudos for dominating the regular season and continuing that domination in the postseason. The Sox cooled off the red hot Colorado Rockies to get their second title in four seasons. As it stands now, the Sox are the best run franchise in baseball. There were breakout performances this year from players like Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Mike Lowell, Matt Holliday, Josh Beckett, Fausto Carmona, Jake Peavy, Ryan Braun, and Prince Fielder amongst many others. The list could go on and on. We saw veterans like Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. show that they still have something left in the tank. We saw Craig Biggio get 3,000 hits and Jim Thome and Frank Thomas join the 500 homerun club. Teams like the Brewers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Indians all showed that smaller market teams can compete if managed correctly. Arguably, these and a million other moments and performances could have made our top five. Without further adieu, here is the FullCountPitch.com top five moments of 2007.

Number 5:  Bugs are everywhere

The Yankees were about to tie the American League Division series at one game a piece. They were following the formula that launched them into the Wild Card position. Get a solid start, hand the ball to rookie phenom, Joba Chamberlain, and then give it to the best closer in baseball history, Mariano Rivera. Andy Pettitte did his part, pitching into the seventh inning. Chamberlain, the newest Yankee favorite, came in and got out of the seventh inning. He came out for the eighth and found the one thing that challenged him on the major league level: bugs. The scene was gruesome as Chamberlain was enveloped in these tiny bugs, Midges. They clearly bothered Chamberlain as for the first time in his brief, yet dominant, major league career, his trademark control was not there.

The result was two walked batters, one batter hit by a pitch, and two wild pitches. The last wild pitch allowed Grady Sizemore to score the tying run. The Yankees would go on to lose the game in 11 innings after Mariano Rivera pitched two scoreless innings only to see Luis Vizcaino blow it in the 11th. Although Joba Chamberlain says the bugs had nothing to do with his performance, the distraction was obvious. At times he was spitting out the bugs that were crawling in his mouth. His neck, at one point, was completely covered by these insects. The bugs potentially changed the series as the Yankees did win game three. They would have held the series lead rather than being down by two games. Potentially, this game averts another classic, Yankee-Red Sox ALCS. We will never know, but the scene was one of the most unique in baseball history.

Number 4: Barry Bonds Hits homer 756.

In many years, a record of this magnitude would rank as number one. Because of the allegations against Barry Bonds, the moment is tainted. It is, however, a moment that will be replayed in baseball history, for better or worse. Leading up to Bonds breaking the record, the reining homerun king, Hank Aaron was not pleased that his record was going to be broke by Bonds. In fact, Aaron made no plans to attend games once Bonds was closing in. To make the matter even more controversial, Commissioner Bud Selig also stated that he would not be attending the game either. In an age of regal ceremonies to celebrate accomplishments, this further illustrated how tarnished Bonds’ image and credibility were.

Fortunately for Bonds, the moment came on August 7, 2007 in front of his hometown fans. The Nationals Mike Bascik delivered homerun 756. Bonds was warmly received by Giant fans and was treated to a ceremony. The highlight was the somewhat awkward video taped message from former king, Hank Aaron. The media instantly began writing articles calling for an asterisk placed on Bonds’ record. Perhaps the most telling graphic is when the Sports Illustrated website featured a picture with Bonds and the number 756 made out of syringes.

It seems as if Bonds is finished with baseball now that he is embroiled in a court case with the government. The lasting impact and the lack of emotion by baseball fans will be felt for many years to come. Perhaps one person benefits from all of this controversy. Alex Rodriguez is seen as the next great hope in beating the homerun record set by Bonds, which stands at 762. AROD will be the most adored player in baseball history as he gets closer to this record.

Number 3: Three no-hitters

While most casual fans love the long ball, hardcore baseball fans can really appreciate the great pitching performance. Fortunately, baseball fans were treated to three no-hitters this season. Mark Buehrle, the 28 year old lefty veteran, tossed his no-no on April 18, 2007 against the Texas Rangers. In the game, Buehrle struck out eight and only walked one hitter. While Buehrle has pitched 200 innings in each of his seven full major league seasons, he has been on the decline for the past two seasons. It was a great story that the 28 year old could reach back and make history.

The second no hitter was thrown on June 12 against the Milwaukee Brewers, by 24 year old flame thrower, Justin Verlander. In the game, Verlander walked four and struck out 12 against the power hitting Brewer lineup. What made this performance even more spectacular was the fact the Verlander threw pitches over 100 miles per hour in the ninth inning. Detroit Tiger fans have not had an ace to root for since Jack Morris left town, so this type of performance vaulted Verlander even further into the heart of Tigers fans.

The final no-no was thrown on September 1 against the Baltimore Orioles by 22 year old Boston Red Sox Rookie, Clay Buchholz. In the game, Buchholz walked three and struck out eight. In an era where rookie pitchers are generally babied, it was wondered aloud on the broadcast as to whether or not he would be permitted to finish this game. To Terry Francona’s credit, Buchholz was permitted to make history. Buchholz only pitched seven more innings for the rest of the month, but his performance has made him an instant Fenway legend. Boston fans will have to be careful (much like Yankee fans with Chamberlain) not to place too high of expectations on such a young pitcher. It will be tough as this performance did net Buchholz with the Moment of the Year award by fan voting at MLB.com.

Number 2: The Rockies make their magical run/ The Mets sink.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” That famous Dickens’ statement seems to fit well for the 2007 Colorado Rockies and the 2007 New York Mets. Both teams went on historic runs in September that could have a lasting impact on the 2008 season.

The Colorado Rockies much publicized run to the World Series actually started on September 16. The Rockies won 21 of 22 games to get into the World Series. The lone loss came against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the last series of the season. The Rockies then won 10 consecutive games including the classic 13 inning battle against the Padres to qualify for the playoffs and the playoff sweeps of the Phillies and Diamondbacks. The Rockies went from a sub-.500 team to the National League pennant winner. Riding the hot bats of Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and the stellar pitching of Jeff Francis and rookies Franklin Morales and Ubaldo Jimenez, the Rockies dominated baseball for a one month period better than any team in history. Unfortunately, the Rockies were too dominant as their sweep left them with over a week off before the World Series started. The momentum was lost as was the series against the Red Sox. The Rockies will now look to carry the lessons learned into the 2008 season.

The New York Mets were somehow riding high in the National League East for the majority of the 2007 season. Despite a lackluster pitching staff, the Mets held a seven game lead with just 17 games left to play. In what can be described as the worst collapse in the history of major league baseball, the Mets failed to make the post season despite having a lead all season. To add insult to injury, the Mets had a chance to avoid the collapse on the last day of the season against the lowly Florida Marlins. The Mets sent 300 game winner, Tom Glavine to the mound in hopes of saving their season. Glavine, in his last appearance as a Met, did not get more than one out in the first inning. He allowed seven runs and the collapse was complete. The Mets did not put up a fight all day as Jose Reyes was watched in disbelief by broken hearted Mets fans as he jogged to first in the ninth inning. Of course the New York media was all over this as there were pictures of children crying in the stands as their heroes wasted a chance at the post-season with what seemed like little emotion. Glavine seemed to shrug off the whole thing as he described it as, “Just one of those days”. Glavine will not be receiving a warm welcome when he returns to Shea as an Atlanta Brave. The Mets will have to shake off the sting of this historic collapse. With little personnel change, that will be mighty difficult.

Number 1: Jon Lester makes his comeback.

On September 2, 2006, the baseball world was shocked to hear that Jon Lester, the 22 year old Red Sox rookie pitcher, was diagnosed with a cancer called non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This blood cancer is said to be quite dangerous, but also very curable. Lester began aggressive chemotherapy and was pronounced as cancer-free in the winter. He began the long process of building up his strength after debilitating treatment. It was unknown if he would ever be able to pitch again. He came to spring training in 2007, just months after his final treatment, slightly smaller and slightly weaker. He was left behind to continue to regain strength. He was then sent to the minors to continue his road back.

On July 23, 2007, Jon Lester made his return to a major league pitching mound at Jacobs Field against the Cleveland Indians. In true story book fashion, Lester won his first start, pitching six innings, giving up five hits, two runs, three walks, and striking out six hitters. It was an amazing moment for all of baseball to see a young man battle back from such a dreadful disease. The lone problem with Lester’s comeback was that he would not make his return to the Fenway Park pitcher’s mound until August 14^thagainst the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as his next three starts were all on the road. He pitched well against the Rays in a no-decision, going seven innings, allowing just two hits, one run, one walk, and striking out four. Even the most ardent Red Sox hater could not root against Lester as he won the clinching game four of the World Series, giving up no runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Jon Lester did not have a dominating 2007 campaign as he finished with a 4/0 record with a 4.74 ERA. What he did do was remind the baseball world that these players are human beings battling whatever humans battle. They are not just members of a fantasy team or pictures on a bubble gum card. Jon Lester showed us what is best about people. He survived and reclaimed his life. For that, he is the FCP number one moment/player in 2007.

Closing Thoughts

There are so many great moments that were not mentioned in this piece. It is the hope that this little article will remind people that the game is still good, filled with so many great people and moments. Here’s looking forward to an even better 2008.

FCP will be back with new content on January 3, 2008 as I take one final break for New Years. I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and productive 2008.

If there are moments you feel are missing, please fire back with some comments or feel free to email me.