Now, unfortunately (or fortunately, it's tough to decide sometimes), I'm young. This means that I haven't gotten to witness or experience many of the greatest sports moments in history. The 1980 USA Olympic hockey team, Murderer's Row, and a time when Brett Favre wasn't a daily story on ESPN all are times I didn't get to see. My era has brought steroids to baseball, gambling scandals in basketball, dog fighting and manslaughter to football, and the general sense that it's getting harder and harder to find the beauty in sports.
Then came Buehrle. A quietly consistent pitcher who has played for the Chicago White Sox his whole career, a time spanning a decade after this season concludes. During his career, he has pitched at least 200 innings and never won fewer than ten games in every season excluding his first (in which he was a reliever). In 2002, he won 19 games, narrowly missing the elusive 20-win season. In 2005, Buehrle was the White Sox's ace as they won their first World Series title in 88 years. In 2007, Buehrle threw a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.
And, finally, yesterday's perfect game. A great moment in sports that I got to experience. I began to think what made Buehrle's perfection so great. Why did I want to watch it? Well, here's what I came up with:
1.) The Feat
This certainly seems obvious to me. Whether it's winning the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Olympics, or any other impressive accomplishment, great feats make for great moments. A perfect game is something that rarely happens, and barely witnessed. In over 170,000 games played since 1900, a perfect game has only happen 16 times. Feel free to do the math of 16 divided by 172,975. Multiply by 100. That's the percentage of games in which perfection is achieved. So, very obviously, yesterday was amazing. For those of us not in the Chicago area or at US Cellular Field, ESPN only showed us the ninth inning. Still, it felt like we were a part of it. A part of something some people never get the chance to see in their lives.
What made yesterday so great was the improbability of it all. Super Bowls and World Series happen every year, and great plays come along every week. But perfection is something rarely seen or experience. And Buehrle's most impressive feat was giving us a chance to witness it.
2.) The Team(s)
A lot of people made a big deal about last year's Super Bowl. The Steelers' Santonio Holmes made one of the most spectacular catches I've ever had the good fortune of seeing. And yet, the conclusion of Super Bowl XLIII was not a great sports moment because of the teams that took part. The Steelers were a great, defensively strong team, but not overly impressive. Even further, the Cardinals were just a mediocre team that caught some lucky breaks. The teams play can add to, even make, the greatest sports moments.
The combination of these two teams yesterday made the perfect game especially intriguing. On the one hand, the White Sox were getting exactly what they play for: good pitching, good defense, producing enough runs to get the win. On the other, the Rays were a strong, young team who are generally considered to be strong offensively. Both teams' strengths were set for a collision course.
Rivalries and playoffs spots make for interesting games, but when the strengths and weaknesses of two teams line up so perfectly, it makes for a battle to remember. It pushes each team, each player to a new level and adds to the game. It creates an intensity, a pressure, until one team reaches the breaking point. These are the teams that make great sports moments. The ones that put themselves between their opponents and greatness and dare anyone to get through.
3.) The History
More than any other game, baseball has historical value. The National League was created before the 20th century, in 1876! I mean, that's old. So when something amazing happens, and people are talking about it, then you know it must be important. While a perfect game is extremely historically relevant, history may show a different path for the lauded feat.
18 perfect games have happened in professional baseball. 18. One for each year of my life in over 130 years of baseball. I have been lucky. Since I was born in 1990, 6 pitchers have thrown perfect games. One third of all the perfect games in Major League history have been thrown in my lifetime.
Looking at that fact in the historical context of baseball, one has to wonder why there were only 12 perfect games in over a century of baseball, and now, suddenly it seems, there have been 6 in less than one-fifth the time. Is it steroids? It's hard to call pitchers like Buehrle, Randy Johnson, and David Cone juicers. If anything, the hitters they faced were more likely to have used steroids. That only makes it more impressive.
The fact that any given great moment can play it's own role in centuries of sports history makes witnessing that moment all the more amazing. Buehrle is part of a generation that will seemingly change the perception of one of the greatest accomplishments in sport: the perfect game.
Who knows what the next great moment will do to sports history? It could simply be appreciated for what it is, or it could change the way generations to come see the game. While the moment itself is amazing, its relevance to the past and its role into the future are even more significant.
4.) The Moment of Truth
In every great sports moment, there is a point where the team or player can rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure. In a perfect game, the entire team must act as one. An error, a misread, an extra split second can cost the pitcher and his team their place in history.
In the White Sox game, the entire ninth inning became the moment of truth for Buehrle and his defense. The first batter of the inning, Gabe Kapler, left Sox fans on the edge of their seats as he launched a ball to left field. Luckily for them, it went foul. It wouldn't be long before the fans' hearts stopped once more, as Kapler rocketed a ball to left-center field. Dewayne Wise, the hero of the day aside from Buehrle, had just entered the game. He sprinted back, leaped into the air and robbed Kapler of a home run, bobbling and finally securing the ball with his bare hand as he fell to the ground. 1 out.
The next batter, catcher Michel Hernandez, ran the count to 3-1. Facing a walk that would end his perfection, Buehrle rose to the occasion and fired two quick pitches for strikes, sending Hernandez to the bench. 2 outs.
Now one out away from perfection and history, Buehrle faced Jason Bartlett. In a 2-1 count, Bartlett swung, grounding the ball to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. On an awkward hop, Alexei fielded it, remained calm, and fired it to first for the final out.
Buehrle had been dominant throughout the game, but that inning was the moment of truth for the entire team. Each man played his part throughout the day and when the time came, they rose to the occasion. Moments of truth etch themselves into our minds when we watch sports.
4.) The Moment of Truth
In every great sports moment, there is a point where the team or player can rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure. In a perfect game, the entire team must act as one. An error, a misread, an extra split second can cost the pitcher and his team their place in history.
In the White Sox game, the entire ninth inning became the moment of truth for Buehrle and his defense. The first batter of the inning, Gabe Kapler, left Sox fans on the edge of their seats as he launched a ball to left field. Luckily for them, it went foul. It wouldn't be long before the fans' hearts stopped once more, as Kapler rocketed a ball to left-center field. Dewayne Wise, the hero of the day aside from Buehrle, had just entered the game. He sprinted back, leaped into the air and robbed Kapler of a home run, bobbling and finally securing the ball with his bare hand as he fell to the ground. 1 out.
The next batter, catcher Michel Hernandez, ran the count to 3-1. Facing a walk that would end his perfection, Buehrle rose to the occasion and fired two quick pitches for strikes, sending Hernandez to the bench. 2 outs.
Now one out away from perfection and history, Buehrle faced Jason Bartlett. In a 2-1 count, Bartlett swung, grounding the ball to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. On an awkward hop, Alexei fielded it, remained calm, and fired it to first for the final out.
Buehrle had been dominant throughout the game, but that inning was the moment of truth for the entire team. Each man played his part throughout the day and when the time came, they rose to the occasion. Moments of truth etch themselves into our minds when we watch sports.
David Tyree's helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII. David Ortiz's series-clinching home run in the 2004 ALDS and his game-winning hits in games 4 and 5 of the ALCS. Aaron Boone skyrocketing a ball into the upper deck of Yankee Stadium to clinch the 2003 ALCS. These are moments of truth that we never forget. Players and teams rising to the challenge in front of them. We get caught up in the pressure situation and our own excitement and happiness hinges on the players' success. We feel the same excitement, the same joy, as the players do, and simply get caught up in the moment.
5.) The Call
By far my favorite part of great sports moments is the call. Announcers can plan for these moments, consider what the right words would be, and execute them with as much perfection as the players used on the field. Ultimately, however, it is the spur of the moment call that captures the emotion of the feat.
Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson's call of Wise's catch from yesterday's game:
Regardless of your feelings towards certain announcers, it's easy to see how they add to the great moments. Whether it's "Holy cow!" or "Theeee Yankees win!" we always remember our favorite calls as the voice that captured our emotions. Men like Harry Caray, Harry Kalas, and Gus Johnson are gifted at enshrining the moments we love in sound. Unfortunately for sports fans, moreover Giants fans, Joe Buck gets to call games.
6.) The Player(s)
What's most important about Buehrle is that he is a good guy. In an era of Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones, Ron Artest and Stephon Marbury, A-Rod and Manny, Buehrle is plain. So many athletes need the whole show to be about them in order to stay sane. Without attention, they go up in smoke. Buehrle isn't like that. He was humble and likable after he had reached a level of achievement only the greats reach.
Here's his reaction:
No expectations, no guarantees, no ego. Just a man doing his job and doing it well. That is why yesterday's moment was great. Yesterday's is the kind of moment I hope to experience again and again, as long as I'm a sports fan.
-TSI
5.) The Call
By far my favorite part of great sports moments is the call. Announcers can plan for these moments, consider what the right words would be, and execute them with as much perfection as the players used on the field. Ultimately, however, it is the spur of the moment call that captures the emotion of the feat.
Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson's call of Wise's catch from yesterday's game:
Wise back. Back. Makes the catch! Dewayne Wise makes the catch! What a play by Wise! Mercy! A great catch by Dewayne Wise!Harrelson's call of the final out of the perfect game yesterday:
Alexeiii! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! History!While Harrelson won't go down as one of the best call-men in history, his exuberant yells captured the moment very well.
Regardless of your feelings towards certain announcers, it's easy to see how they add to the great moments. Whether it's "Holy cow!" or "Theeee Yankees win!" we always remember our favorite calls as the voice that captured our emotions. Men like Harry Caray, Harry Kalas, and Gus Johnson are gifted at enshrining the moments we love in sound. Unfortunately for sports fans, moreover Giants fans, Joe Buck gets to call games.
6.) The Player(s)
What's most important about Buehrle is that he is a good guy. In an era of Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones, Ron Artest and Stephon Marbury, A-Rod and Manny, Buehrle is plain. So many athletes need the whole show to be about them in order to stay sane. Without attention, they go up in smoke. Buehrle isn't like that. He was humble and likable after he had reached a level of achievement only the greats reach.
Here's his reaction:
I don't know. When I threw the no-hitter, I was surprised as could be. A perfect game? I thought a no-hitter was impossible. I don't know what to say. Unbelievable.On how he behaved in the dugout:
Same as before. I go up and talk to people. I'm not big on when the camera goes on you. I take it inside. I don't like the camera being on, so I just talk to the guys. If it happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't.If it happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't. That sort of attitude towards one of the greatest accomplishments he'll ever have is astounding. It's why Buehrle deserves it. It is so hard to root for players with big egos and big mouths like Owens and A-Rod. Yes, their achievements are amazing, but how can I feel good for a guy I don't like? They don't make it easy to enjoy the moment because all the while you're applauding their success, deep down there's a sinking feeling that you're cheering for a bad guy. Buehrle didn't put us in that situation. He just went out and did his job. When he succeeded, he smiled, he laughed, and he celebrated with his team.
No expectations, no guarantees, no ego. Just a man doing his job and doing it well. That is why yesterday's moment was great. Yesterday's is the kind of moment I hope to experience again and again, as long as I'm a sports fan.
-TSI
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