Very Superstitious

What was Stevie's line? Oh yes, "If you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer."

This silent treatmenting of pitchers during no-hitters has got to stop. I mean, it's not like it works. Talk to the damn guy, he's got a much better chance.

Finally Derek Lowe breaks through after a string of near misses. Forget the opposing batters. Odalis Perez, Shawn Estes (Shawn Estes!), Pedro Astacio, Mike Mussina and Lowe an earlier time miss out on immortality, all because of some lame superstition. That's one no-hitter out of a possible six, and the odds aren't nearly as close generally.

We're looking at 214 no-hitters pitched in the majors since 1900, out of hundreds of thousands of games. History on one-hitters is sketchy. I tried, believe me. The Hall of Fame and SABR were both stumped. Elias wouldn't talk to me. It was suggested I call every still-existing team for a ballpark figure, and then extrapolate.

I'm lazy, so I called the Dodgers, who keep track of these things. 29 one-hitters since 1958. Now, if you multiply 29 one-hitters by say, 29 teams, leaving out Tampa Bay of course, compensate for the Angels, Brewers, Expos, Marlins and Padres, throw in the Browns and the Pilots, and in the words of Ricky Ricardo, you might just got something there. Then again, you might not.

The point is, there have been a veritable ton of one-hitters thrown for every no-no, an Orlando Cepeda semi full of two and three-hitters, resulting in hundreds upon hundreds of broken-hearted Shawn Esteses. One is really enough. The freaking superstition doesn't work. Like I said, you might as well talk to the damn guy, cause the "writing's on the wall."

Mea culpa. It's been over a month since I've said something even remotely mean about Bug Selig. Don't worry, it's not a trend…

Let's get something straight right now. There is only one Ozzie, and he is a baseball player. BaseballSavvy.com is an Ozborne-free zone…

It's nice to see Art Howe finally get that contract extension and some semblance of credit for the Oakland A's. Billy Beane is a cult-figure in baseball now, and he's deserving, but it's not all him. And in Seattle for some reason, Lou Pinella is the mellowed genius responsible for everything, as if Pat Gillick just sits around doing jack…

Seen at a Valley "99 Cents Only" store (Yes, I shop there. Liquid soap and brake fluid): several hundred glossy back-to-school folders, made to look like giant baseball cards from 1988. The back of the folder serves as the back of the card, with each guy's stats through the 1987 season. Players featured, I kid you not: Larry Sheets, Bo Diaz, Devon White and BJ Surhoff. 6 for 99 cents. Hurry in, they can't possibly last another 14 years…

Nothing positive can come from Ken Griffey's studying at the Barry Bonds School of Public Relations. Flip the cap around backwards and lighten up, Junior. It's in your best interest…

Whatever happens the rest of the way, Jose Rijo's getting this far is a great great 2002 story…

On the flip side, Darryl Strawberry is simply powerless. It would be nice if, in prison, he can find the answers, because it's getting difficult to see him in any other uniform than that orange jumpsuit…

And remember, glove conquers all....