Baseball offers us so many memories, and sometimes those memories are fleeting if only because a new one is forced upon us. On Friday, we almost had such a moment. Kerry Wood‘s retirement – after striking out the last batter he will ever face – was incredible. The moment captured everything great about baseball. Then, later in the evening, another moment threatened to steal the show. That’s what baseball is all about; success and momentous occasions competing for our attention.
On the flip side, we are often presented with tales of deceit and memories of numbers clouded in suspicion. Such is the case with our Dud of the Week. The rise, fall, and subsequent return of Manny Ramirez is not new to baseball. It’s not new to any sport for that matter. It is however, difficult to watch. Outside of Oakland, there are very few cheering for a Manny Ramirez comeback, and it’s difficult to blame those people.
Stud of the Week
Justin Verlander came within two outs of throwing his third career no-hitter. That alone should make him a candidate for the Stud of the Week. Yet, he was dominant in his previous start as well, all but locking up this week’s top spot.
In the last seven days, Verlander has tossed 16 innings, allowed just three hits, gave up only one run, and is 2-0. Every time Verlander pitches, fans in attendance and those watching world-wide have a chance to see magic. Not since Nolan Ryan have we seen a pitcher like Verlander. Had he picked up his third career no-hitter, he would have had a real shot at catching Ryan’s seven. He still may. But even if he doesn’t, Verlander is something special.
On Friday, Verlander almost outshines Kerry Wood’s retirement moment. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener to their inter-league schedule, Verlander was magnificent. Through eight innings he had not given up a hits, yielded just one walk, and struck out 12 batters. In the ninth, his stuff was as nasty as if it were the first pitch. He his 100 mph, and his curveball was so devastating, professional hitters were made to look silly as they waved sheepishly at the pitch. It was after Verlander had recorded one out in the ninth that he and his catcher, Alex Avila, went almost exclusively to the curveball. It was the third curveball of the at-bat that Josh Harrison slapped a single into centerfield to break up the no-hit bid.
Verlander finished the game with just one hit and his 12 strike outs. He picked up his sixth career shut-out and lowered his ERA to 2.14. His performance is a proof that great pitching still exists despite the possibility that days of 300 wins may be history.
Dud of the Week
Manny Ramirez will hear boos in every away ballpark he plays in. He may hear quite a few boos in the home ballparks too. On the road in Albuquerque, Ramirez made his 2012 baseball debut with the Sacramento River Cats. He is starting a 10-game minor league stint to prepare him for a potential big league call-up.
In his debut, Ramirez was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. It may be unfair to label him the Dud of the Week simply off one game, but the fact is Ramirez is as polarizing a character as there may be in baseball, and his failures are magnified. He was suspended twice. He is one failed drug test away from a lifetime ban. Yet, he chose to return. He chose to serve the 100 game suspension. He chose to present himself for all the boos and heckling that baseball fans will rain down.
Ramirez may come back to the bigs and dominate. But he could just as easily fall on his face. The fact that he was busted twice for performance enhancing drugs is enough to label him a dud. Yet, his return could make him the biggest dud of all. Should he be hit a third time and banned from the game, he will absolutely eliminate any chance at the Hall of Fame. As it stands, his chances are already slim.
Three strikeouts and an 0 for 4 game by itself isn’t enough to be labeled the Dud of the Week, but couple that performance with his past history and – well – who could resist.