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Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter


A fitting top moment of the 2007 season.

For the No. 1 moment of the Red Sox's 2007 season, this one has to be a no-brainer.

Without a doubt it has to be Clay Buchholz's no-hitter on Sept. 1 against the Baltimore Orioles. Buchholz was magical that night, spinning nine strikeouts, walking three and, of course, not allowing any hits. This is what I wrote after the no-hitter:

This is the moment all of Red Sox Nation has been waiting for. The "he's the real deal" kind of moment that only the best play-writes in Hollywood could concoct. Yet tonight the only person performing mastery was Clay Buchholz.

[...]

Buchholz's weapon of choice was his changeup. His fastball maxed out around 94 m.p.h., but his changeup (clocked around 78 m.p.h.) is what got the batters swinging off their back foot. The changeup is what made the batters dumbfounded, finding themselves staring at strike three. His curveball was also effective late in the counts.

[...]

This game is obviously big for Buchholz himself, but I think this is going to be a huge boost to the ballclub. The whole team was behind Buchholz, throwing their body out on the line (case in point: Dustin Pedroia's fantastic hit-saving play in the 7th) for a potentially great rookie. This is the type of game that will push the Sox into the post-season.

This no-hitter did more than give the Red Sox a victory. It may give the Red Sox a ring come October.

Make sure to read the last line, too.

This was one of those games when at the beginning it looked good, but not great; usually that's how no-hitters go. But as time ticked on Buchholz got better. His arsenal got nastier and the O's hitters began to look worse.

All of Red Sox Nation had that feeling late in the game that Buchholz could do it, but of course no one said anything. And if someone did say anything in my presence, they would be hushed in a nanosecond. It was just one of those magical moments that don't come around very often in baseball.

Let me break down how the last inning was like for me and, I assume, most of Red Sox Nation:

Brian Roberts strikes out.
(In head) Holy crap, he could do it.

Corey Patterson lines to center.
(In head) Oh ... my ... god.

Nick Markakis strikes out ... looking.
(SCREAMING) HOLY S**T! HE F***ING DID IT! HE REALLY F***ING DID IT! OH MY F***ING GOD!

This is a game with a lot of memories. Who will forget Pedroia's spectacular diving stop in the hole to save the no-hitter? Who will forget Buchholz breaking Markakis's knees with a filthy curveball to clinch the no-no? Not to mention the delayed third strike call by home plate umpire Joe West that ended the game. I'm still wondering if he's made up his mind on that call...

Let's not forget that this game was Buchholz's second Major League start. Many will say the Orioles' unfamiliarity with Buchholz was a key factor in the no-hitter. I wouldn't disagree with those people, but the end result is still the same result: for nine innings, Buchholz did not allow a base hit. That takes a lot of skill no matter which way you slice it (or whiff it?).

When fans look back at the 2007 season the World Series trophy is going to be prominently displayed, as it should be. But shortly after should be the memory of Buchholz spinning an unbelievable gem all the way into the record books.

It was an unbelievable season matched by an unbelievable game.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments

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Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
Pedroia's play was fantastic. This was awesome.

by Matzushocka on Feb 28, 2008 7:28 AM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
I have never hugged so many random people in my life.  Everyone at Fenway was jumping, screaming, and hugging.

by 2004LoveAffair on Feb 28, 2008 10:19 AM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
The four consecutive home runs (against the Yankees, no less) was actually more rare from a statistical standpoint.  But it's not important to try to rank these events,... the Sox had a few of them,... the Mother's Day Miracle was among them,.. Clay's no-hitter was awesome,... Manny's ALCS walk-off HR that landed in New Hampshire,... all fun to watch.  

by Parisle on Feb 28, 2008 11:02 AM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
Statistically, yes, the four home runs were seemingly impossible, but I think this one will be remembered longer...

by Randy Booth on Feb 28, 2008 1:54 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
Not a bad list. Though I would have had the no-hitter as #2 on the list, right behind clinching the World Series.

However, had the no-no been against the MFY, it would have been a different story.

by RSNexile on Feb 28, 2008 2:21 PM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
I pushed for Game 4 to be higher on the list, but it was a agreement among a bunch of people. Winning it all was pretty good I guess... :)

by Randy Booth on Feb 28, 2008 2:39 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
In other words, I harassed Randy until he "agreed"/humored me that Game 4 in a microcosm is below several other moments.

by Allen Chace on Feb 28, 2008 2:48 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
Game 4 itself might not have been as dramatic, but I'd argue that the final out itself was more exciting.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Feb 28, 2008 5:04 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
My #1 would be the Sox winning the World Series.  Nothing compares to winning it all.

by SoxAcumen on Feb 28, 2008 2:29 PM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
I missed most of this game--I was out and only got home in the bottom of the eighth. It was still a wonderful feeling. Easily my #2 (because I didn't see all of it--and second only to winning the World Series).

For the record, Clay Buccholz has more no-hitters than, among others, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, and Curt Schilling. Combined. :)

by Liza on Feb 28, 2008 4:58 PM EST   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
Is it just me, or does Clay Buchholz look like a cartoon character?
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Feb 28, 2008 5:05 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
I'd have to check, but now Buccholz has more no-nos than any of the other pitchers in the sox rotation. Times 10.
majorblogging.wetpaint.com

by BoSox415 on Feb 28, 2008 8:58 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: No. 1 - The No-Hitter
I'm pretty sure you're right. Wow. That's something.

by Liza on Feb 28, 2008 10:26 PM EST to parent up   0 recs

I was camping on the Maine coast
so I missed this game. Figures.

But it was worth it.

I forgive you Bill Buckner.

by tommy.otm on Feb 28, 2008 8:38 PM EST   0 recs

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