No-Hitters Arenât Just For Baseballâs Elite

The no-hitter Friday night by San Francisco Giants hurler Jonathan Sanchez is a reminder that one of baseball’s most hallowed accomplishments is not just reserved for pitchers with lofty career statistics. Instead, for one night anyone (even a pitcher with a 16-26 career record) can look like a Hall of Famer and stamp himself a place in baseball immortality.

No-hitters have a special place in baseball lore because, while there are other accomplishments that occur with less frequency, a no-hitter is one feat that can seemingly come out of nowhere.

That was no more evident than in the case of Sanchez.

Having spent the last three weeks in the bullpen after losing his spot in the rotationâ€"he entered Friday’s game with a 2-8 season recordâ€"Sanchez only got the start against the San Diego Padres because future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (owner of two career no-hitters) went on the disabled list earlier this week.

The left-hander made the most of his opportunity, as he was nearly perfect. He struck out 11 batters and had a perfect game until an error in the eighth inning. He did not surrender a walk in the contest.

No-hitters are also a special moment for an entire team because, wh! ile the pitcher gets and deserves much of the credit, it is truly an achievement that is dependent on everyone playing at a high level for the entire game.

That was quite clear in the ninth inning Friday as Sanchez’s bid would have ended two outs shy of completion had centerfielder Aaron Rowand not made an incredible catch at the wall to rob Edgar Gonzalez of an extra base hit.

Sanchez is just the latest in a long line of pitchers with otherwise forgettable careers who will forever be recognized as having been, for one night at least, un-hittable.

His no-no is the 262nd in baseball history and 220th since 1900.

While there are many Hall of Fame pitchers who have thrown no-hitters, including Nolan Ryan (seven times), Sandy Koufax (four), Warren Spahn (2), Jim Bunning (2), Catfish Hunter, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Tom Seaver and Juan Marichal, there are many pitchers with plaques in Cooperstown that never achieved such one-game greatness.

In fact, except for Johnson, the most recent additions to the 300-victory club never accomplished the feat. Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens combined to win 1,014 career games, yet none of the three ever threw a no-hitter.

Then consider that four pitchers who have thrown no-hitters this decadeâ€"Anibal Sanchez (15 wins), Clay Buchholz (5), Bud Smith (7) and Sanchez (16)â€"have a total of 42 career victories between them.

Other pitchers whose names may not be recognizable, but who pitched a no-hitter in the majors include Ed Halicki (55 wins), George Culver (48), Tommy Greene (38), Joe Cowley (33), Juan Nieves (32) and Mike Warren (9).
Of course, the most famous no-hitter in baseball history was the perfect game thrown by Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series. Larsen was never confused for one of the greats of his era as he posted an 81-91 career-record and never won more than 11 games in a season.

No-hitters also are magical because they can serve as the defining moment for pitchers who have battled against great odds and difficulties to gain, or return to, greatness.

The no-hitter in 1993 by Jim Abbott, who pitched 10 years in the majors despite being born without a right hand, will forever serve as inspiration for people trying to overcome adversity.

Similarly, the no-hitter by Jon Lester in May of 2008 served as his signal to the baseball world that he was completely recovered from the lymphoma that many thought might end his promising career just two years earlier. He went on to win 16 games that season and remains one of the key hurlers on the Red Sox.

It is not surprising that Dwight Gooden pitched a no-hitter during his career, but what is surprising is that it didn’t happen during his tenure as the best pitcher in the game for the New York Mets. Instead, it happened a decade later while pitching for the New York Yankees.

At the time, Gooden’s no-no seemed to serve as a re-birth for the former All-Star following his long-time battle with substance abuse. Even though his struggles continued following that moment, the memory of him being carried off the field by thrilled teammates illustrates the power a no-hitter can have to, in one night, turn mediocrity into greatness.

It is likely that Sanchez’s career ! peaked w ith his near-perfect performance against the Padres. However, for he and his fatherâ€"who was in attendanceâ€"it is a memory that will never get old.

Plus, for the rest of time, Sanchez will know that for one night, he was the best pitcher in baseball.

Stallworth Released From Jail

((HT: WSVN-TV))

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been released from a Miami jail after serving 24 days of his DUI manslaughter case.

His attorney, Christopher Lyons, says Stallworth was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Friday. Lyons says Stallworth is at home and plans to "fulfill his obligations under the plea agreement and spend time with his family."

The 28-year-old Stallworth served 24 of the 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter.

Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He signed a signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year, finishing with 17 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Here's how the story broke on WSVN-TV

Joey Chestnut Sets World Record in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2009:

Joey Chestnut, the defending champ, made it three in a row on Saturday at the 94th annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. He choked down a world-record-setting 68 franks in 10 minutes.

In doing so, Chestnut continued his dominance of his archrival, six-time titleholder Takeru Kobayashi, in Saturday’s action. Chestnut led throughout this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

In the 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut and Kobayashi finished tied, both with 59 dogs. That contest was settled with a 5-frank eat-off.

Showing that today might be a slow sports day (it really isn't), or rather, that hot dog eating contests are big deals, ESPN broadcast this year's Nathan's event live. Chestnut said:

"After the second minute I knew my body was cooperating."

The prize money in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2009 is $20,000. At the same time Joey Chestnut will take home the "coveted" Mustard Belt.

Bolt wins 100-metre sprint at Toronto

Usain Bolt, right, beats Shawn Crawford to the finish line to win the 100-metres at the Festival of Excellence on Thursday night. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Usain Bolt won the men's 100-metre sprint in the inaugural Festival of Excellence at Toronto on Thursday night.

Bolt, the world record holder and winner of three gold medals at last summer's Beijing Olympics, ran 10.00 seconds in a steady rain at Varsity Stadium.

"It felt good," he said. "I think I should have done a little better.

"For me, it is all right. I got through it injury free, so that is a good thing."

"It [the rain] threw me off a little bit, but not much," Bolt continued. "I have been there before.

"This is a part of the game вЂ" some days you have a good day, some days you have a bad day. I guess I will put this down as a bad day for me."

Bolt, 22, was the marquee attraction at the meet, which featured 50 Olympians.

The Jamaican superstar reportedly pocketed $250,000 for appearing in the event, held at the revamped 6,500-seat facility.

"Just looking at the crowd, you can see it is pretty much all Jamaicans, so it is just a great feeling," Bolt said on the TV broadcast. "The people have just been wonderful, so thanks for coming out and supporting me вЂ" I always try to do my best at all times."

Shawn Crawford of the United States finished second in 10.25, and Ivory Williams of the U.S. took third in 10.28.

Jared Connaughton of New Haven, P.E.I, and Toronto's Anson Henry were sixth (10.51) and seventh (10.57), respectively.

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, from Whitby, Ont., won the women's 100-metre hurdles in 12:86, follow! ed by Pe rdita Felicien of Pickering, Ont., was second in 12:88.

The men's mile went to Nate Brannen of Cambridge, Ont., in a time of 3:55.07.

With files from The Canadian Press

Why a breakaway series would be viable

The crisis rolls on into another week. The FIA's publication of the entry list for 2010 reveals that they are trying to split the FOTA alliance, by including Ferrari and the Red Bull teams as unconditional entries, with the other five given until this Friday to fall into line, or else risk exclusion. But so far the tactic has not worked; neither Ferrari or Red Bull have defected, and the alliance has held.

With the threat of a breakaway series thus growing each day, a number of drivers have now come out in stating that they would be more than happy to race in a rebel championship, if a compromise is not reached. Felipe Massa is one of those, as is Mark Webber, whose comments in his column for the BBC F1 website were unequivocal: "All the drivers share the same view. We want to drive for the best teams and race against the best drivers. If it's not the FIA Formula 1 world championship, so be it. It'll still be the most prestigious championship."

The viability of a breakaway series is becoming ever more apparent. Already there have been rumours that FOTA are in talks with the BRDC, the owners of Silverstone, which will not host the British Grand Prix after this year. If a deal is agreed, this could well prove a popular event with fans - especially since it looks unlikely that Donington will be ready to host an official Grand Prix in 2010. A return to Canada and the USA (whether at Indianapolis or elsewhere) is also conceivable, and would tap into a huge North American market. It will not be difficult for FOTA to find venues.

Under the current regulations for 2010, driver salaries will not be included within the €45m cap, but the FIA intends for this to be! the cas e within a couple of years at most. Thus before too long those drivers seeking the biggest salaries will be forced to turn to the breakaway series. Or, to show it in a different light, the most prominent and successful drivers - the Alonsos, Hamiltons and Raikkonens - will only be affordable to the teams in the breakaway championship. The FOTA teams want to be free to spend what they want, and it is hard to imagine the drivers will argue too hard. The danger, then, is that the official Formula One will become a sort of feeder series, much like GP2, with inexperienced drivers learning their way before graduating to the more lucrative 'rebel' championship.

At the moment, the FIA and Max Mosley are accusing the FOTA teams of attempting a 'power grab'. But the present crisis has made it clear that the current political model in F1 - whereby power is shared between the organising body, the participant teams, and the commercial rights holder - is fundamentally unworkable. The threat of a breakaway championship has existed for several years; if anything, it is remarkable that matters have not come to a head before now.

Lakers Win NBA Title

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA Final tonight to claim the 2008-2009 NBA Championship.

It is their 15th NBA title in franchise history. Only the Boston Celtics have more NBA Championships with 17; the most recent of which came a year ago. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, however, surpassed Celtics legendary coach Red Auerbach with his 10th NBA Championship. It is his fourth title with the Lakers. Jackson also won six titles with the Chicago Bulls with a little help from Michael Jordan.

Kobe Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP and can finally say he won a championship without Shaquille O'Neal.

And Jack Nicholson is estatic.

Mine That Bird's Registration Papers Reported Stolen

Trainer Chip Woolley Jr., who trains Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, woke up the morning of June 2 to find his truck had been broken into at the Louisville hotel where he was staying. The registration papers for Mine That Bird were missing, along with the conditioner's GPS (global positioning system). Woolley contacted Churchill Downs and The Jockey Club and the papers were replaced. Mine That Bird, who is scheduled to run in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, will leave Louisville June 3. "They smashed out the passenger's side window and ruffled through a few things," Woolley told Daily Racing Form. "I'm guessing they were after the GPS. Why they'd want to take the papers, I don't know. The lady there at Churchill, she took care of everything already, so we're good to go." TheHorse