Comments on: Learning what perfection means

By: Clint Scroggs

Clint Scroggs — Tue, 17 May 2011 11:43:07 +0000

The Indians cable channel, Sports Time Ohio, showed the game this weekend from start to finish, intertwined with interviews with team officials, players, press, etc. Joe Tait did not say ‘perfect game,’ I don’t think, but he did not shy away from saying things like “Len Barker has faced 24 batters and retired them all.” I didn’t think the strike zone was oversized, his 90-plus fastball and unhittable curve, both of which he was controlling, were the keys. Also, Al Woods pinch-hit for Ainge with one out in the 9th. I was out bowling, and at a restaurant that night, and missed the whole thing.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:42:43 +0000

I was one of those 7,290 fans in attendance (no joke, still have the ticket). A friend down the street had an extra ticket and asked me to go (great seats, near the 3rd base dugout). Without a doubt, the greatest sporting event I’ve ever attended (or will attend, more than likely). I think the weather really helped Barker. It was unpleasant for sure, cold and humid, but it didn’t rain. I remember him saying something about having a great grip on the ball that night. And Barker is not unique in his mediocrity among perfect gamers. Yes, some all-time greats have thrown one (Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson), but so have guys alot like Barker (Tom Browning, Mike Witt, Kenny Rogers). Toby Harrah made a great play reaching into the stands to catch a ball. And I worried about Whitt’s little flare to short left center. Manning’s arms went up, and I thought it was going to drop. Simply awesome.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:38:17 +0000

I remember that game so vividly watching with my dad and brother, looking to wind down the evening hoping for the Tribe to give us a half-entertaining game (usually not the case). Each inning the excitement was growing at such leaps and bounds that the phone rang and no one ran to the phone (more importantly, my dad didn’t chastise us for getting off our lazy asses). Barker simply looked like a man playing against boys. And it was unexpected…Barker wasn’t THAT good. Or was he? He was that night. Is easily one of my favorite sports moments.