Improbable Pitcher Flirts With History Again

Improbable Pitcher Flirts With History Again, R.A. Dickey becomes the first hurler in 24 years to complete this rare feat. The best pitcher in Major League Baseball is a 37-year-old knuckleballer for the New York Mets named R.A. Dickey. He continued tempting and terrorizing opposing batters Monday night by throwing his second consecutive one-hitter, a 5-0 victory with 13 strikeouts against the Baltimore Orioles. Wilson Betemit’s clean single accounts for the hit.

Doesn’t your heart flutter a little as Dickey’s knuckler flutters toward the catcher’s mitt? Check out this post on Fangraphs that chronicles the three pitches with the most movement of the game.

Not since Dave Stieb of the Blue Jays, in 1988, had a major league pitcher thrown consecutive one-hitters. Not since Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves, in 1944, had an NL pitcher allowed one hit or less in consecutive starts. (One of Tobin’s starts was a no-hitter.) Dickey also shut out the Rays on one hit this past Wednesday, coming an infield single away from a perfect game.

Doesn’t your heart flutter a little as Dickey’s knuckler flutters toward the catcher’s mitt? Check out this post on Fangraphs that chronicles the three pitches with the most movement of the game.

Not since Dave Stieb of the Blue Jays, in 1988, had a major league pitcher thrown consecutive one-hitters. Not since Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves, in 1944, had an NL pitcher allowed one hit or less in consecutive starts. (One of Tobin’s starts was a no-hitter.) Dickey also shut out the Rays on one hit this past Wednesday, coming an infield single away from a perfect game.

”I’m going to leave it to you guys to explain it. I’m just going to try to be in the moment with it,” Dickey said.

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‘Yeah, it’s surreal,” Dickey said. ”You almost get emotional out there, especially that last hitter. You hear everybody, like one big heartbeat beating. That’s the best way I could explain it.’

‘A longtime journeyman before joining the Mets in 2010, Dickey has won nine straight decisions and six consecutive starts. He is tied for the major league lead in ERA (2.00), strikeouts (103) and complete games (three).