Not sure how to start your sports column after covering another no-hitter? Here’s a quick go-to guide to aid you in your writing. All you need are paper, a pen, a personality and two cups of coffee.
1) Always begin with facts from the game (score). Crowd size could be mentioned here or in step 3.
2) Mention a recent fact such as the number of no hitters this season or by the teams involved.
3) You have two options—plug in a quote from the pitcher about how this is a dream come true for him OR wrap up the first paragraph with an overall sense of the atmosphere at the stadium (crowd size, excitement level)
4) Background information about the pitcher should be established
5) Statistics from the no-hitter
6) Sugar-coated quotes from the manager (limit to one sentence)
7) Historical data about almost anything related to baseball works here
8) Talk a bit about the opposing team’s struggles at the plate
9) Mention any defensive plays that stood out (game-saving grabs are very effective)
10) Paint a pretty picture of the pitcher by saying how much he’s overcome in his life
11) Wrap it up with another quote from someone involved in the game or simply end your column with a generic phrase such as “Joe Blow will cherish this game for the rest of his career and life.”
Twenty-six year old Matt Garza pitched the majors’ fifth no-hitter of the year yesterday. Tampa’s terrific-tossing hurler blanked the Tigers 5-0 and became the first pitcher in franchise history to earn the honor. As a sportswriter, it must be challenging to cover no-hitters. There are usually minimal highlights to catalogue from the game, at least from the team being “no-hit”. It’s almost like doing a performance appraisal on an employee and coming away without any improvements or criticisms. (Excuse the HR reference—I am taking an HRM course this summer) That isn’t to say Garza was absolutely perfect last night while he was spinning a hitless gem.
Writers tend to fill their columns with quotes from teammates, historical facts about no-hitters and various statistics whenever a no-hitter is involved. It’s a good idea to at least mention some biographical information about the latest pitching star. Columnists and beat writers commonly tag this on to the end of a story. In Garza’s case, it’s particularly important to note his baseball attributes since many fans are not familiar with him. Even casual baseball aficionados may not recall Garza and his mid-90’s fastball winning the AL Championship Series MVP in 2008. Yes, Garza has a World Series ring. He joined the Rays in 2007 in a trade with the Twins.
One fact writers are probably going to eat up is how Garza was 0-4 lifetime against Detroit prior to Monday’s contest. Everybody loves a feel-good story about a guy who overcomes an obstacle. Here we have Garza, who allowed seven runs in a six inning outing in his previous start. Garza issued a second inning walk and then did not allow another base runner the entire game. He fanned six Tigers and tossed 120 pitches in the victory. Garza attacked the zone and made the proper adjustments with his electric stuff. Some experts might point to how the Tigers’ lineup is stacked with rookies and backups. I don’t think the absence of veteran hitters should take away from Garza’s feat. Another aspect about this particular game is the incredible pitching from Detroit’s end. Max Scherzer was rolling early and did not allow a hit until the sixth inning. Matt Joyce smacked a grand slam to end Scherzer’s shutout bid after the no-no was erased.
Garza’s no-hitter should set the tone for a four-game set between the Rays and Tigers. Or, it could motivate the Tigers to knock the snot out of the next three Tampa tossers they face. Detroit hasn’t been no-hit since Randy Johnson stunned the cats 20 years ago. Detroit writers should be sure to work in an element of pity for the organization as a whole. The Tigers were robbed of a no-hitter earlier in the season and last night suffered the fate of being Tampa’s first hitless victims. The Rays are no strangers to being no-hit, leading the league in that category in recent years. I am sure it feels fantastic to finish on the better side of the no-hitter for Tampa. Several teams can relate to the elation of a no-hitter thanks to 2010---the year of the pitcher (I am sure just about every sportswriter will reference this too).
Parting Points: Maurice Clarett is returning to school. This is newsworthy?
Throwbacker of the day- “Don’t Turn Around” by Ace Of Base
Showing posts with label Detroit Tigers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Detroit Tigers. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Last Licks
Today is the final day of the regular season in baseball. The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are hoping Sunday is not their last ballgame of 2009. The Tigers began the last month with a sizable lead in the AL central. The Twins made it their main goal to present a challenge for the title. They succeeded in quickly uncoiling Detroit’s post-season aspirations by pushing the division race to the last day. Victimized by none other than their own quarrels, the Tigers are now in a must-win situation. Should they lose to the Chicago Whitesox today and Minnesota foil the Kansas City Royals, it will be the Twins’ playoff dreams that materialize. The Twins missed out on the playoffs in 2008 after losing a one-game playoff to Chicago to decide which team would advance. They sure don’t want a repeat performance in 2009.
Joe Mauer delivered the biggest hit in MVP-like manner Saturday, as the Twins rallied to beat Zack Greinke and the Royals. The Twins had a speedy Nick Punto on third with two outs when Mauer stepped to the plate. His two-out single off the ace broke a sixth inning scoreless affair. Minnesota increased their lead to 4-0 on Delmon Young’s three-run double later in the frame. Fill-in first baseman, Michael Cuddyer, cracked the go-ahead solo homerun in the eighth to cement what would be the eventual 5-4 win in Minneapolis. The former right-fielder was converted into an infielder after Justin Moreneau was shelved early in September. Since then, the 30 year old responded more than reasonably in his ninth year with the club. Cuddyer clubbed seven longballs and is hitting 3.52 since the switch. Michael was hit by a Greinke pitch in the four-run sixth inning, as the CY Young candidate came unglued in the Metrodome.
In Detroit, winning pitcher, Freddy Garcia rocked the Tigers 5-1. The righty struck out seven and allowed six hits in seven plus innings for Chicago. Alfredo Figaro took the loss for the Tigers, who managed just seven hits while stranding seven on the bases. The middle and bottom of the Detroit lineup was unproductive. Combined, the four through nine Tigers scratched out one hit, finishing 1-for-22. Tony Pena and Matt Thornton completed a first-rate relief effort to close it out for the Whitesox. The lack of runs Saturday means Detroit is in a dead heat with the Twins for the division. They Tigers have their chance to clinch at Comerica Park, but will need a little help from their foes in Kansas City. Suddenly the Twins can’t lose. They overcame Greinke yesterday and looked every bit as confident a post-season club. Detroit is authoring one of the bigger collapses in baseball history and the energy showcased on the field justifies their quick fall. The Tigers are barely getting production at the plate, and they are definitely having trouble coming up with runs. Their inability to score (four runs in the past three games) has been as detrimental as the Twins’ aptitude to comeback. The drama is only heightened by the fact Detroit has more to lose than Minnesota. Nobody expected the Twins to be this competitive all season. The Tigers had the talent, the coaching and the flair to carry the suffering city into the baseball post-season. It’s on their shoulders if Detroit falls short. The players’ mental toughness will be tested today. The urgency to get on the board more often than the visiting team is evident, but Detroit must also be patient. A little discipline goes a long way when you are trying to win a pennant race. It doesn’t matter that the Twins sliced the division lead again yesterday. Today is what matters. It all comes down to one win, for both teams. The Twins have the upper-hand because they have been playing must-win games for weeks now. It’s the sluggers and hurlers in Detroit who are entering unfamiliar territory. How they play with their backs against the wall will determine whether or not they live another day.
Parting Points: I am really happy for the Twins. As a Yankees fan, I think I would rather face Minnesota. I think the Bombers can beat both teams, but I like their chances against the Twins.
Congratulations to the Dodgers ,who finally clinched the NL West. For a while there, Joe Torre’s club had me scared they would blow the division.
Sticking to the subject matter, the song for today is “Mouth” by Merill Bainbridge
Joe Mauer delivered the biggest hit in MVP-like manner Saturday, as the Twins rallied to beat Zack Greinke and the Royals. The Twins had a speedy Nick Punto on third with two outs when Mauer stepped to the plate. His two-out single off the ace broke a sixth inning scoreless affair. Minnesota increased their lead to 4-0 on Delmon Young’s three-run double later in the frame. Fill-in first baseman, Michael Cuddyer, cracked the go-ahead solo homerun in the eighth to cement what would be the eventual 5-4 win in Minneapolis. The former right-fielder was converted into an infielder after Justin Moreneau was shelved early in September. Since then, the 30 year old responded more than reasonably in his ninth year with the club. Cuddyer clubbed seven longballs and is hitting 3.52 since the switch. Michael was hit by a Greinke pitch in the four-run sixth inning, as the CY Young candidate came unglued in the Metrodome.
In Detroit, winning pitcher, Freddy Garcia rocked the Tigers 5-1. The righty struck out seven and allowed six hits in seven plus innings for Chicago. Alfredo Figaro took the loss for the Tigers, who managed just seven hits while stranding seven on the bases. The middle and bottom of the Detroit lineup was unproductive. Combined, the four through nine Tigers scratched out one hit, finishing 1-for-22. Tony Pena and Matt Thornton completed a first-rate relief effort to close it out for the Whitesox. The lack of runs Saturday means Detroit is in a dead heat with the Twins for the division. They Tigers have their chance to clinch at Comerica Park, but will need a little help from their foes in Kansas City. Suddenly the Twins can’t lose. They overcame Greinke yesterday and looked every bit as confident a post-season club. Detroit is authoring one of the bigger collapses in baseball history and the energy showcased on the field justifies their quick fall. The Tigers are barely getting production at the plate, and they are definitely having trouble coming up with runs. Their inability to score (four runs in the past three games) has been as detrimental as the Twins’ aptitude to comeback. The drama is only heightened by the fact Detroit has more to lose than Minnesota. Nobody expected the Twins to be this competitive all season. The Tigers had the talent, the coaching and the flair to carry the suffering city into the baseball post-season. It’s on their shoulders if Detroit falls short. The players’ mental toughness will be tested today. The urgency to get on the board more often than the visiting team is evident, but Detroit must also be patient. A little discipline goes a long way when you are trying to win a pennant race. It doesn’t matter that the Twins sliced the division lead again yesterday. Today is what matters. It all comes down to one win, for both teams. The Twins have the upper-hand because they have been playing must-win games for weeks now. It’s the sluggers and hurlers in Detroit who are entering unfamiliar territory. How they play with their backs against the wall will determine whether or not they live another day.
Parting Points: I am really happy for the Twins. As a Yankees fan, I think I would rather face Minnesota. I think the Bombers can beat both teams, but I like their chances against the Twins.
Congratulations to the Dodgers ,who finally clinched the NL West. For a while there, Joe Torre’s club had me scared they would blow the division.
Sticking to the subject matter, the song for today is “Mouth” by Merill Bainbridge
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tigers-Twins Thursday Title Tidbits
The Minnesota Twins are finding out just how hard it is to tame the Detroit Tigers. But credit the AL Central foes for both trying to stay alive in the closest division race this October. Ron Gardenhire’s club still has some life left in them after blowing a two-run lead Wednesday night and losing 7-2 in Motown. The Tigers had a chance to clinch the division in the final of the four game series this afternoon but failed to seal the deal. Detroit finishes the season with a three-game home series against the Chicago Whitesox. Minnesota returns to the Metrodome to confront CY Young hopeful, Zack Greinke and the Kansas City Royals. The Royals and Whitesox have nothing left to prove. They will likely go to town with the idea of playing spoiler and watching their division opponents plunge this late in the year. Expect both teams to mean business, dust off the rustiness and play contrary to their insignificant records.
The now 85-74 Tigers bounced back, and Minnesota delegated control last night to put Detroit on the brink of an AL Central title for the first time since 1987. Hurler Eddie Bonine survived a shaky start and settled into somewhat of a grove against the persistent and enthusiastic Twins. What began as a catastrophic start concluded with Bonine tossing five innings in just his ninth career start. He allowed two runs in the first inning but shut down Minnesota the rest of his outing. Bonine fanned three and walked two. He scattered seven hits, but earned his first victory of 2009. Carl Pavano was the pitcher on the losing side for Minnesota. Pavano’s team was not able to get anything going offensively and the pitcher’s quality of work was not good enough. Magglio Ordonez’s keyed the drastic hit, a double in the fifth inning, clearing the bases for the Tigers. The three run frame was the final time either team would score, and the runs needed to secure the five run win for the three-game division leaders. With today’s loss, Detroit’s lead was trimmed to two games. The Tigers failed in their first try at clinching the division. The Twins are capable of knocking off the Royals in three games. They must win all three, and hope for the Whitesox to take two out of three in Detroit. The Tigers are expected to wash away their division drought but they can’t depend only on the Royals to do so.
It always amazes me how the Twins do the same thing every year. Gardenhire’s team-building coaching works and he always motivates his men for a second season. Even if the Twins fall short, they deserve credit for hanging in the race until the final week. Despite injuries and trades, the small market swingers in Minnesota have a lot to be proud of. As for the Tigers, they really control their own destiny with a deep lineup and steady set of arms. Their pitching will win them games, unlike today when the Twins blew the game open in the eighth against an inferior bullpen. Minnesota caused friction for Casey Fien after Nate Robertson pitched six innings of four-run ball. Robertson’s nine hits allowed were enormous enough but only one of the runs he was charged with was earned. Scott Baker gave up an unearned run through five solid innings for the Twins. Baker snagged his 15th win of the year with today’s 8-3 showing in front of the Motor City’s first sellout crowd since July 25th. Minnesota had much more punch at the plate than the previous night. Maybe they knew this game was one they just couldn’t afford to lose.
Control issues were a concern throughout the game for Detroit this afternoon, but became even more prevalent with the institution of Fien and Bobby Seay. Orlando Cabrera unleashed a double to left field to drive in three runs during the eventful eighth. The player affixed with the tag of being the greatest hitting catcher of our era, Joe Mauer, punched Cabrera in with a single to the same area in left field for Minnesota’s final run. Mauer was not behind the plate to star of defense today. Instead, skipper Gardenhire placed him in the lineup as the DH. The talented 26 year old unloaded by supplying two hits, two RBIs and scoring one run for the visiting club. The Twins were not efficient in the field, committing a season-high four errors with the gloves. The game got ugly after Jeremy Bonderman hit Twins’ outfielder, Delmon Young with a pitch. Manager Jim Leyland was ejected following an argument with umpire, Angel Hernandez in the top of the ninth. Bonderman and his batterymate, Gerald Laird, were tossed in the home half of the ninth.
Parting points: A pair of songs for a new month- “It’s All Been Done” by Barenaked Ladies and “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia
The now 85-74 Tigers bounced back, and Minnesota delegated control last night to put Detroit on the brink of an AL Central title for the first time since 1987. Hurler Eddie Bonine survived a shaky start and settled into somewhat of a grove against the persistent and enthusiastic Twins. What began as a catastrophic start concluded with Bonine tossing five innings in just his ninth career start. He allowed two runs in the first inning but shut down Minnesota the rest of his outing. Bonine fanned three and walked two. He scattered seven hits, but earned his first victory of 2009. Carl Pavano was the pitcher on the losing side for Minnesota. Pavano’s team was not able to get anything going offensively and the pitcher’s quality of work was not good enough. Magglio Ordonez’s keyed the drastic hit, a double in the fifth inning, clearing the bases for the Tigers. The three run frame was the final time either team would score, and the runs needed to secure the five run win for the three-game division leaders. With today’s loss, Detroit’s lead was trimmed to two games. The Tigers failed in their first try at clinching the division. The Twins are capable of knocking off the Royals in three games. They must win all three, and hope for the Whitesox to take two out of three in Detroit. The Tigers are expected to wash away their division drought but they can’t depend only on the Royals to do so.
It always amazes me how the Twins do the same thing every year. Gardenhire’s team-building coaching works and he always motivates his men for a second season. Even if the Twins fall short, they deserve credit for hanging in the race until the final week. Despite injuries and trades, the small market swingers in Minnesota have a lot to be proud of. As for the Tigers, they really control their own destiny with a deep lineup and steady set of arms. Their pitching will win them games, unlike today when the Twins blew the game open in the eighth against an inferior bullpen. Minnesota caused friction for Casey Fien after Nate Robertson pitched six innings of four-run ball. Robertson’s nine hits allowed were enormous enough but only one of the runs he was charged with was earned. Scott Baker gave up an unearned run through five solid innings for the Twins. Baker snagged his 15th win of the year with today’s 8-3 showing in front of the Motor City’s first sellout crowd since July 25th. Minnesota had much more punch at the plate than the previous night. Maybe they knew this game was one they just couldn’t afford to lose.
Control issues were a concern throughout the game for Detroit this afternoon, but became even more prevalent with the institution of Fien and Bobby Seay. Orlando Cabrera unleashed a double to left field to drive in three runs during the eventful eighth. The player affixed with the tag of being the greatest hitting catcher of our era, Joe Mauer, punched Cabrera in with a single to the same area in left field for Minnesota’s final run. Mauer was not behind the plate to star of defense today. Instead, skipper Gardenhire placed him in the lineup as the DH. The talented 26 year old unloaded by supplying two hits, two RBIs and scoring one run for the visiting club. The Twins were not efficient in the field, committing a season-high four errors with the gloves. The game got ugly after Jeremy Bonderman hit Twins’ outfielder, Delmon Young with a pitch. Manager Jim Leyland was ejected following an argument with umpire, Angel Hernandez in the top of the ninth. Bonderman and his batterymate, Gerald Laird, were tossed in the home half of the ninth.
Parting points: A pair of songs for a new month- “It’s All Been Done” by Barenaked Ladies and “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Teixeira Tater Tops Tigers
Should the Yankees remain fiscally responsible and not pursue Roy Halladay hard this summer, they will need performances like the one from Mark Teixeira Friday. On a night starter, A.J. Burnett, came out throwing flat, the All-star first baseman rescued New York by turning on a heater from Detroit’s injured flamethrower, Joel Zumaya.
The Yankees started the second half of the season and a 10 game homestand on the right foot after going into the All-star break losers of three straight. New York made a winner out of Phil Hughes, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief. The Yankees are not known for lighting up pitchers they have never faced before, especially left-handers. That was the case Friday when the Tigers countered Burnett with rookie hurler, Luke French.
The turbulent tossing Burnett fell behind on most Tigers hitters during the first two innings. The Tigers scored in the top of the first and the Yankees evened the contest in their half of the frame. Hideki Matsui singled to right field off French to score Johnny Damon. The AL Central leaders recanted the lead in the second on a run-scoring single by Placido Palanco. All-star outfielder, Curtis Granderson’s homerun made it 3-1 Detroit in the fifth inning. It was Granderson’s 19th long ball of the year. The Tigers committed two errors in the bottom of the fifth and it resulted in the beginning of New York’s 26th come from behind victory of the year.
Left-fielder for Detroit, Josh Anderson, allowed a Teixeira torch to skip under his glove. Damon scored on the play for his second time of the evening. Zumaya entered in the seventh inning but was not much of an effective reliever for the cats. He allowed a leadoff single by the Yankees captain, Derek Jeter, and a Damon double before the big bomb by Teixeira. Damon’s double glanced off Clete Thomas’ glove as the outfielder made a leap toward the wall. Mark then raked a 3-1 offering from the cagey Zumaya into the second deck in right field for his 22nd of the year and a 5-3 Yankee lead. You knew the ball was out of the park as soon as it left Tex’s bat. Mark has such a structured approach at the plate and it doesn’t matter how hard a pitcher throws at him. He can club the fastest fastball as long as it’s in his zone. Teixeira went 3-for-5 at the plate for the night. Zumaya will undergo an MRI this afternoon after exiting the game with serious arm pain. The runs recounted off Zumaya were the first delivered by New York ever.
Hughes bounced into action to bail out Burnett and punched out six Tigers in two innings with his 97 mph fastball on the mark. He scattered just three hits and has now pitched 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in his last 12 relief stints. Hughes lowered his ERA from 5.45 to 3.76 since joining the Yankees bullpen and switching from the starter role. Hughes has a 4-2 record. The shaky Burnett, who had not started since July 8th, was wild and only struck out one Tiger. Burnett gave up three Tiger tallies and six hits over six innings and 104 pitches. His pitch count continues to escalate but his production does not seem to improve. Mariano Rivera planted the seed by picking up his 24th save after a near hour rain delay in the bottom of the eighth. Rivera allowed a two-out double by Polanco and nothing else. The Yankees improved to 6-15 against division-leading teams this season. Detroit has lost three of four against New York this year, including the first at the new Yankee Stadium Friday night.
Parting points: Happy Birthday to Joe Torre.
The Yankees started the second half of the season and a 10 game homestand on the right foot after going into the All-star break losers of three straight. New York made a winner out of Phil Hughes, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief. The Yankees are not known for lighting up pitchers they have never faced before, especially left-handers. That was the case Friday when the Tigers countered Burnett with rookie hurler, Luke French.
The turbulent tossing Burnett fell behind on most Tigers hitters during the first two innings. The Tigers scored in the top of the first and the Yankees evened the contest in their half of the frame. Hideki Matsui singled to right field off French to score Johnny Damon. The AL Central leaders recanted the lead in the second on a run-scoring single by Placido Palanco. All-star outfielder, Curtis Granderson’s homerun made it 3-1 Detroit in the fifth inning. It was Granderson’s 19th long ball of the year. The Tigers committed two errors in the bottom of the fifth and it resulted in the beginning of New York’s 26th come from behind victory of the year.
Left-fielder for Detroit, Josh Anderson, allowed a Teixeira torch to skip under his glove. Damon scored on the play for his second time of the evening. Zumaya entered in the seventh inning but was not much of an effective reliever for the cats. He allowed a leadoff single by the Yankees captain, Derek Jeter, and a Damon double before the big bomb by Teixeira. Damon’s double glanced off Clete Thomas’ glove as the outfielder made a leap toward the wall. Mark then raked a 3-1 offering from the cagey Zumaya into the second deck in right field for his 22nd of the year and a 5-3 Yankee lead. You knew the ball was out of the park as soon as it left Tex’s bat. Mark has such a structured approach at the plate and it doesn’t matter how hard a pitcher throws at him. He can club the fastest fastball as long as it’s in his zone. Teixeira went 3-for-5 at the plate for the night. Zumaya will undergo an MRI this afternoon after exiting the game with serious arm pain. The runs recounted off Zumaya were the first delivered by New York ever.
Hughes bounced into action to bail out Burnett and punched out six Tigers in two innings with his 97 mph fastball on the mark. He scattered just three hits and has now pitched 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in his last 12 relief stints. Hughes lowered his ERA from 5.45 to 3.76 since joining the Yankees bullpen and switching from the starter role. Hughes has a 4-2 record. The shaky Burnett, who had not started since July 8th, was wild and only struck out one Tiger. Burnett gave up three Tiger tallies and six hits over six innings and 104 pitches. His pitch count continues to escalate but his production does not seem to improve. Mariano Rivera planted the seed by picking up his 24th save after a near hour rain delay in the bottom of the eighth. Rivera allowed a two-out double by Polanco and nothing else. The Yankees improved to 6-15 against division-leading teams this season. Detroit has lost three of four against New York this year, including the first at the new Yankee Stadium Friday night.
Parting points: Happy Birthday to Joe Torre.
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