Written by Fantasy Furnace:
The pitching performances, no-hitters & perfect games in MLB so far this season, as well as over the past six years, begs the question, “Why so many?”In light of Matt Cain’s stunning ‘perfect game’ performance on Wednesday night, it seems that more and more, the significance and ‘awe’ that we once had for such outstanding feats has been minimized.
Matt Cain tips his cap to an appreciative S.F. crowd after throwing a perfect game on Wednesday which was the 14th no-hitter thrown in franchise history. Photo: Jeff Chiu – AP Images
Not to take anything away from Cain’s superb outing, which was indeed masterful, it just seems like 10-20 years ago it would have had more interest and ‘shock’ appeal because it took place much less frequently.
Case in point…in the last 13 days we have witnessed three no-hitters. The last time that was done, albeit in 14 days, was 100 years ago!
So why are these events becoming more and more commonplace? One need only go back to the end of the steriod era as we know it; back all the way to the famous Mitchell Report. In fact, lets look at some numbers…
In 2006, there were 5300 (rounded off) home runs in MLB. That number has plumeted to 4500 in 2011 and is on its way to reaching an even lower total by the end of this year.
Here are some more telling numbers to illustrate just how many no-no’s occured before the end of the steriod era and after: Between 2000 and 2006, a 7 year span, there were 8 no-hitters tossed. From 2007 to today, a period of 5 1/2 years there were 21.
Mariners SP Kevin Millwood, who pitched 6 innings, with help from 5 other pitchers, contributed to Seattle’s 1-0 no- hitter last week vs the L.A. Dodgers. Photo: Zimbio.com
MLB has the most thorough, stringent, and strongest testing for steroids and all PED’s than any other sport! Period. No other sport even comes close. And that’s why the prototypical player of a decade or more ago is not the same as he is today.
Names like Winfield, McGwire, McCovey, Sosa, come to mind. And you have to admit that infielders like A-Rod, Cal Ripken, Palmeiro, and Schmidt are all larger than most of today’s players. Shortstops use to look like Pee Wee Reese and Phil Rizzuto and Ozzie Smith; not A-Rod & Ripkin… Today you have home run hitters that are much smaller players than their peers such as Granderson, Pedroia, and Cano.
Personally, I feel that this trend of no-hitters will continue and we could very well see more this year than in any year in MLB history. It’s just a sign of the times, and unfortunately not one that is fan friendly. Offense is what the fans come to the ballparks to see. They don’t want to sit in a ballpark for 2 1/2-3 hours to watch a 2-1 game..
The NFL has changed to a more offense minded, quarterback driven league and it’s success has not waivered in the slightest. However, I fear that with attendence down over the past couple of years in MLB, their changes will have more of a negative impact because as offense wanes, so does the interest in the game.
FANTASY FURNACE 
This Is An Excellent Post, Dude.
You’ve Done Your Homework, Fo SHO!
-BRAD
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Great piece, Fantasy Man.
I’m glad you threw in that part about MLB’s drug testing standards, because it is so true. While the MLB deserves a lot of the crap storm thrust upon them after the Mitchell Report, the fact remains that the other sports were tap dancing to the same number all along, and still are. You mean to tell me a 325 pound lineman can run like a gazelle without benefit of a little something-something? Fat chance.
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Wow. Fascinating breakdown of the stats.
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Thanks Shannon! The stats are what made this exciting/interesting for me to write…
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There seems to be some really awful teams in the game this season as it borne in some of the moribund stats for the teams at the bottom of the divisional standings . Is Stevie Wonder on the coaching staff of the Astros as a
hitting instructor?Matt Cain made that Astros’ offense seem redundant and out of sorts .
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There are bad teams in MLB EVERY year!
Johan Santana faced the best offensive team in the majors when he had his no-hitter…
Thanks for the comment!!
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I’ve no problem with that premise at all ! My problems stems from the fact we end up with the owners and teams at the bottom of the “food chain “ complaining they haven’t the money to retain the talent . What is even more of a joke as it relates to the game is that Selig believes the “luxury tax” levels the playing field for the teams.
Simply look at the teams with $90 to $100 million plus in payroll and then look that the ballclubs that have won the World Series over the last eight years . Perhaps the commissioner can explain that to us while he’s cajoling cities to pay for brand new stadiums for the multi-millionaire and billionaire owners .
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Reblogged this on Sports, Sports, and more Sports.
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Thanks for the Reblog man!! Appreciate it!
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Pingback: Changes in MLB have increased the amount of no-hitters | The Sports Blitz
Awesome, throwing some stats around! Nice post! Before the season started I released some MLB projections and had one of my followers noticed I favored pitching in most of my stats. We are now seeing this unfold more and more and your article highlights this even more. Good work.
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It might not be fan friendly, but I found Cain’s perfect game to be a great game to watch just for his performance alone. I could have shut it off early but something in my head told me to stick around and see this because something special was going to happen.
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Nice work! BTW congrats on the “Best Sports Blog” nomination…keep on writing.
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Thanks Steven!! Appreciate it!
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