Roger Clemens (with Boston), Tom Seaver (with Chicago), Nolan Ryan (with California) and... sorry... Dave Stieb (with Toronto).

You're a lucky man, Brian. I was in New York after Seaver left but before Clemens arrived and moved to Texas just after Ryan retired. Arrrgh!!!

I should've added ... feel free to tell your stories of seeing those pitchers. For instance, I saw Niekro start Opening Day (pre-Jake) for the Indians in ... 1986? 1987? The clearest memory was when he retired the side in the first inning, getting strike three on the third guy swinging, and catcher Andy Allanson lifted the ball in triumph and charged to the mound to shake his hand. Those were bleak baseball days on the shores of Lake Erie, and expectations were, uh, low.

Curt Schilling, this season actually, I took my girlfriend and she's never seen a baseball game or followed the game. So I told her how Schilling was gonna mop the floor with Miguel Batista (0-8 or something at that point). Batista ended up throwing a gem, Schilling got rocked out of the game early, and I looked like a moron.

I believe I also say Nolan Ryan pitch once (though this is back in the haze of the 80s so my memory could be WAY off. I remember Rance Mulliniks hit an in the park homerun (again, my memory may be playing tricks on me, old Rance getting around all the bases seems dubious, maybe he just legged out a double and we were all so awestruck we dedicded to give him the whole round tripper). Anyway, I believe that was off of a reliever later in the game. From what I remember Ryan pitched fairly well. My dad kept saying how lucky we were to see him, I think I was taking it for granted (I took a lot of things for granted since I only became old enough to watch the Jays in about 88-89....winning, for instance)

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B07130BOS2000.htm
Pedro. In 200. In Fenway. (COMN)

It was the first game after the All-Star Break, and he had just come back from one his yearly DL stints. Just electric.

And of course. The Sox won it in the bottom of the ninth, causing the crowd to go positively bananas. I've never been in a stadium that loud before.

I saw Nolan Ryan take a no-hitter into the 9th against the Jays at Exhibition Stadium. I believe Nelson Liriano broke it up, and I'm pretty sure it was with a triple, though Retrosheet may prove me wrong.

But anyway, I'm writing in today to remind you all to vote early and often for Tom Cheek for the Ford C. Frick Award. Go to www.baseballhalloffame.org, and you'll find a link on the front page to vote for who to put on the ballot for the Frick. Please vote for Tom Cheek, and only Tom Cheek, to ensure that he gets on the final ballot.

Please do this every day for the remainder of the month of November. We're already 6 days behind - I'm sorry that I didn't do this sooner, but we suffered a death in the family on the 1st of the month, and I've been kind of pre-occupied. But now, please, let's get Tom on the ballot, and into Cooperstown, where he so much deserves to be immortalized.

I'll be back here every day for the rest of the month to remind ALL of you to do this. You're allowed one ballot per day. Tell everyone you know. Let's make this happen.

http://www.mathesond.mindsay.com
One June 1, 2002, I saw Mark Prior face off against Roy Oswalt at Wrigley. Unfortunately for the local 9, Prior was gone by the 4th innings. In fact, both times I've seen Prior pitch, he's given up at least 5 runs (other time vs. Milwaukee).

On my second-ever visit to Chicago, I managed to catch Kerry Wood vs. Tom Glavine in Wood's first Wrigley start after striking out 20 - the electricity in the place was unbelievable, especially for a May game. Every time he got to 2 strikes on the batter, close to 40 000 people were on their feet. Checking out Baseball Library, I see that John Rocker was the eventual loser, and the winner, in extras (thanks to a Brant Brown home run) was...Terry Adams. Kerry struck out 2 in each of the first 6 innings. He 'only' fanned one in the 7th, and was pulled after that.

One of my most anticipated games was Stieb vs. Honeycutt just after the '83 ASB, when the Rangers and Jays were leading their divisions. I remember the Jays winning, and I'm pretty sure it was sunny, but other than that I don't recall too much.

Randy Johnson last year. I think I may have seen him during his seattle days but I really don't remember. Menechino hit a leadoff home run off him but after that he really pitched well, 11k's in 6 innings. I was right behind home plate about 15 rows up and you could really see the movement on his slider. That was great to see in person. Josh Phelps looked absolutly clueless more than once. He also got a standing ovation when he was taken out in the 7th which is rare for a skydome crowd especially for the other team.

btw does anyone here know if there is any way to see the mlb / japan games online?

I was at the Pedro/Clemens game on Memorial Day weekend back in 2000 i think it was. The Sunday night ESPN game that Nixon won with the HR.

I don't remember which pitchers I've seen in person but a couple games I've attended stand out in my mind. They all happen to be Dodgers games (I don't remember seeing any great Blue Jays performances in person):

September 22, 2001, Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers. The Unit and Kevin Brown started and that morning, I decided to go to that game. I brought my mom and we ended getting seats right behind the dugout for free. I guess going to a game with your mom gets sympathy points. Brown was coming off one of his injuries and the Unit was on his way to another Cy Young (and eventually a title). But it was after 9/11 and God Bless America had more meaning at the time. Paul Lo Duca hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 3-3. I have never seen my mom get so excited about a baseball game in my life - it was neat. Arizona scored two in the 11th and the Dodgers rallied for three culminating on a two-run single by Beltre to win it.

June 11, 1982, Reds vs. Dodgers. This was exciting because it was probably the best pitching performance I've ever seen in person. I could actually remember this without looking on Retrosheet. Jerry Reuss gave up a leadoff double to Eddie Milner and then proceeded to retire the next 27 guys in a row. Milner scored but that was the most impressive thing I've ever seen as the Dodgers won 11-1.

August 14, 1997, Expos vs. Dodgers. This was the year Pedro became PEDRO. He was matched up in a duel with Ismael Valdes (or now Valdez). This was the best pitchers duel I can remember in person. The only run came on a long home run by Mike Piazza that hit the back wall of the Dodgers bullpen in left field. Otis Nixon, who was recently acquired from the Jays saved Valdez' hide by robbing TWO home runs by the Expos with over-the-wall catches. Pedro just dominated but didn't get any help (or the help was nullified by Nixon's defense).

Pedro Martinez at Olympic stadium pitching for the Expos.

I saw Nolan Ryan take a no-hitter into the 9th against the Jays at Exhibition Stadium. I believe Nelson Liriano broke it up, and I'm pretty sure it was with a triple, though Retrosheet may prove me wrong.

I was at that game!

I've also attended games started by Mike Scott, Pedro Martinez, Clemens, Halladay, and Stieb. And Dave Stewart's no-hitter against the Jays.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B05280MON1997.htm
I saw Pedro in 97 also... I remember being very excited to see the game. It was going to be my first ever big league game I would see in person, and I was going to see PEDRO MARTINEZ, clearly a bright star ascending starting for the Expos. Adding to the fun, the visiting team was the Mets, starting one of my favorite Jays at first base, John Olerud.

Well, the game turned out to be a whole lot less fun that I thought it would be. Pedro got pasted (COMN) to the tune of 7 runs in 5 innings (though only 2 were "earned"), Johnny O went 1 for 5, and the good guys lost. Ahh, who am I kidding, it was great fun to be at a big league ballpark, watching baseball.

I saw El Duque dominate the Griffey/ARod Mariners at Yankee Stadium back in 1999.

Looking the game up, El Duque pitched 8 innings, gave up 1 run, 3 hits, 2 walks and 13 Ks in 8 innings.

Randy Johnson with the Mariners. Also Roger Clemens when he was a Jay. I watched them both in the same series, it was great!

1971, June 24, Jarry Park, my first live game

Tom Seaver beats the Expos 2-1, hitting a game-winning homerun in the 8th. He throws a complete game, striking out 9.

I had to check this out at retrosheet to confirm the facts. I remembered it being the early 70's and Seaver homering but nothing beyond that.

Recently, Pedro.

In the past, Nolan Ryan, Fergie Jenkins.

Saw Gaylord Perry on July 5, 1976, and I have the ticket stub to prove it.

Oooh, it looks phlegm drenched.

Man, I've been to only one ML game in my life (in Grade 12 went with my french class to Montreal for a week and saw the Expos), but I did see the Braves play an exhibition game.

In that game I got to see Maddux and Glavine pitch...although neither did really well.

Oh well, someday I'll make the roadtrip to Toronto and see Halladay wipe a team out...someday....someday....

I saw Kevin Appier pitch in Boston back in his best Kansas City days. He was pretty dominating back then and fun to watch, what with his animated delivery and varied pitches.

I saw Lee Smith pitch when he was with the Cubs. Saw an extremely well pitched Braves/Blue Jays game. Clemens vs Neagle. I think it was 3 - 0 Braves.

On a totally different topic: Did the White Sox have the same pitching coach this year as they did last year??

I saw Jim Palmer pitch in 1983, which was his last year. He had a hitch in his motion by then; he seemed to stop in mid-delivery before following through.

I also saw Tom Seaver in 1985 when he was with the White Sox - he struck out Lloyd Moseby on a lob pitch. Later in the game, he threw him another one; he didn't throw one to anybody else.

I saw Randy Johnson face off against rookie phenom Dontrell Willis in 2003. It was a Wednesday game and ESPN broadcast it. Almost 40,000 showed up and watched the D-Train outpitch the Big Unit. 3 errors hurt Johnson, he actually gave up no earned runs but Willis still outpitched him. At that time Willis was 10-2 with a 2.50 ERA. Johnson had a 4.16 ERA but he didnt show it in that game.

I remember seeing the Unit some other time, I forget when though. I had seats behind the plate so it was really awesome. I've also seen Maddux and Glavine pitch and I was also at the Schilling vs Batista game last year.

How can I forget this, I saw Jon Lieber and Esteban Loaiza start for the Yankees in the bronx this year against the Angels. Can you believe they lost both games?

The Big Unit in a spring training game. This was in 99, and I told my son that one day he could say he saw Randy Johnson face Barry Bonds. The Big Unit was in mid-spring training form, but it was a thrill to see him in person.

I caught a foul fly off the bat of Steve Finley in about the 5th inning. Later, they announced that Johnson would be signing bats, balls and programs, but we had to leave early as my son was feeling sick.

I saw the Jays regularly in the early 80s, usually on the spur of the moment, but Luis Leal and Jim Clancy seemed to be starting almost every time. I think that I saw Stieb once.

I'm a jays fan due to Stieb's magic...
Saw on film Juan Marichal and Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson.
Luis Tiant in the 60's and Pedro in th 90's

Well, it doesn't really seem fair because I'm so much older than you guys, but I do remember seeing Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton pitch for the Indians against the Jays one Sunday afternoon at Exhibition Stadium in early April, 1987. Niekro got his first win and Carlton his first save. I wonder if that's the only time two 300-game-winners ever pitched in the same game? Both of them were past their prime by then, but still ... . I saw Fergie Jenkins absolutely dominate the Jays once when he was with Texas. But the most memorable is Warren Spahn: the guy just got people out, over and over again. And his very high leg-kick made his delivery unforgettable. I've been lucky--seen several really great pitchers. Oh yeah, Don Newcombe could also dominate any team at his best. Saw him a couple of times at Wrigley.

I have this memory of Tom Seaver and Jim Gott locked up in a terrific pitcher's duel at the Ex, that I think the Jays won 1-0. I'll Retrosheet in a moment and see what I can find...

OK, it was May 19 1984, a Saturday afternoon at the Ex. In the 3rd, Garcia singled, stole second, and scored on a Dave Collins single. And that was it. Seaver pitched a CG, Gott was relieved in the 7th. Dennis Lamp, the Jays new closer (over from White Sox) finished up for his 7th save.

So I would have to mention Tom Seaver (White Sox), Goose Gossage and Ron Guidry (Yankees).

Since STATS got into the pressbox in 1990, of course, I've had the chance to se Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, Curt Schilling, and Mark Prior.

The best pitching performance I ever saw is easy - Dave Stieb's imperfect game, August 4 1989. Twenty-six up and twenty-six down before Roberto Kelly doubled on a 2-0 pitch. I have never seen anybody look more unhittable than Stieb that night. He needed just 89 pitches to finish the game, even though he struck out 11. It was incredible. He started everybody off with not one, but two absolutely untouchable breaking balls, that no one was even trying to swing at. It was called strike, called strike and 0-2 counts all night long.

He was throwing more curves than sliders in those days and I was always complaining that he didn't use his fastball enough. I shut up around the fifth inning. A great night, seen from the LF stands right by the foul pole.

I saw Jim Palmer pitch in 1983, which was his last year. He had a hitch in his motion by then; he seemed to stop in mid-delivery before following through.

I seem to remember Palmer always having a kind of funny hitch when he looked back and stepped forward - it was a weird, weird delivery...

Fernando Valenzuela, in 1981 or 1982 against the expos. Don't remember the exact game (I was only 11) but I do remember wondering why the Expos couldn't hit that guy.

Other reason to remember that game is that I went with my dad and the only seats we could get were in the last row of the upper deck of the Big O. Not sure anyone would have sat in those seats after that year...

"Niekro got his first win and Carlton his first save. I wonder if that's the only time two 300-game-winners ever pitched in the same game? Both of them were past their prime by then, but still ... ."


How can a 300 game winner pass his prime, before he getting his first win?

Oh gosh - I saw Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium in 1988. I always forget, because of who else pitched in that game.

Dave Concepcion.

How can a 300 game winner pass his prime, before he getting his first win?

It looks like he was saying that Niekro got his first win of the season.

Best pitchers I've seen:

Pedro Martinez, this year. It was late August, Pedro came to town, and the Jays were led by Ted Lilly. I expected a good pitching performance, and I got one: 9 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 13 Ks. Of course, it was from Lilly. That has to go down as the most memorable pitching performance I've seen. I also saw Pedro against Halladay early in the season. I really began to appreciate Pedro's talent watching him this season.

The second one that springs to mind is Randy Johnson. Saw him this season, I spent all the time before the game telling my dad what a great pitcher he was, and what happens? Frank Menechino leads off the game with a home run to left. Looking back, the game also featured Dave Berg at 1st, Gomez at 3rd, and pinch hitter Howie Clark. No wonder that RJ came back to get the win.

Only one pitcher has the ability to get me out to Skydome almost every time he pitches, and that's Tim Wakefield, which makes me wish that I was around to see Niekro.

http://www.mathesond.mindsay.com
I forgot to mention I saw Esteban Loaiza strike out 9 Jays and lose, 1-0, to Juan Guzman in Juan's final start as a Blue Jay. It was memorable to me because 1) I knew Guzman was about to be traded, and I had just moved back to Toronto after 8 years away, so it was the first time I ahd seen him pitch; and 2) it was the first (and still only) 1-0 game I have ever been to (at least, that I can recall)

How can a 300 game winner pass his prime, before he getting his first win?

It looks like he was saying that Niekro got his first win of the season.

I assume your interpretation is correct, but the oddity of the statemtn recalls the fact that Niekro only had 31 career wins before his age 30 season. And we won 318 total.

I'm not suggesting he'll get another 190 to tie Niekro -- hardly seems likely, though Niekro himself won 156 after the point Wake is at now -- but Tim Wakefield had 44 at the same point. And oh by the way, Bert Blyleven had 169!

On October 4th, 2003, I saw Derek Lowe and Ted Lilly each go 7 innings without giving up an earned run. It was game three of the ALDS.

Trot Nixon would eventually take Rich Harden deep, Fenway went nuts, and thus began my spiral into infidelity.

Yes, sorry, Caino. Mick is right. I meant that it was his first win that season (and maybe his first win for the Indians? You could look it up.)

I remember Rance Mulliniks hit an in the park homerun (again, my memory may be playing tricks on me, old Rance getting around all the bases seems dubious, maybe he just legged out a double and we were all so awestruck we dedicded to give him the whole round tripper).

Naw, you're not crazy. I was at that game. Ball hit into the right field corner, past a diving fielder. Watching Rance motor around those bases was amazing. As much as it may seem strange, I would say that homerun is my strongest baseball memory. I was sitting ... low 500s, first base side.