The HC: After All These Years

Before I embark on my acknowledgments of the one Jamie Moyer, I would like to make a public service announcement. On Saturday Night Mark Teixeira hit three home runs against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, joining Lou Gehrig as the second Yankee to ever do so. However, with the score at 12-3 in the ninth, Teixeira hit his third and final home run off outfielder Jonathan Van Every, may I repeat, OUTFIELDER Jonathan Van Every. I write this to inform the public that although three home runs is a feat, two "actual" home runs is a common occurrence. So we can all calm down.

On the contrary, tossing a two hit shut out at 47 years old is something that has one, never been done, and two, will never be done again. Each year Jamie Moyer wows baseball fans all across America with his heart, fire, and of course longevity. In 1986 Jamie Moyer was a 24 year old Cub facing Steve Carlton in his Major League debut. In 2010 he is a 47 year old Phillie retiring batters with his "corners" philosophy, that he has held true to as the only pitcher to hurl in 4 different decades. So here's to Moyer. Friday he dazzled the Braves, while the 45,349 fans in attendance at Citizens Bank Park simply wondered how. How does Jamie still do it? How does Jamie, who doesn't throw a pitch over 83, continue to fool batters with his approach that is at this point, evident. Moyer faced 28 batters against the Braves, walking none, and getting one of the his two base runners to ground into a double play. It is hard to get closer to a perfect game without actually throwing one. Watching Moyer is what baseball is all about when youth shines through a jersey that has been worn for 24 seasons. At 4-2 Moyer is in line to give Philadelphia yet another solid year, and when his contract is up at the end of the year we have to think that Moyer will call it quits. Friday night Moyer left behind one of his many lessons and legacies; it's not how old you are, but how much you truly care.

JD