No-no, no, and no!

First up, heaps of praise for Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. After a too-long stretch between Randy Johnson and Anibal Sanchez throwing no-hitters, we’ve already had two this year. Maybe all it really means is that ESPN Classic gets to expand its programming, but I still love the no-no.

But alas, the Toronto Blue Jays just had to come along and ruin all the warm and fuzzy. AJ Burnett left Tuesday’s game with discomfort in his throwing shoulder, and what the team has called a shoulder strain. Now, two things. One: for whatever the team’s word is worth anymore. And two: you think? Shoulder strain? Really? I mean, the guy’s only thrown 372 pitches in his last three starts before Tuesday. Suddenly 124 pitches per game is a lot? Of course it is, and now he’s on the shelf because every time he pitches, John Gibbons get a case of the Grady Littles. I hate to go stats-crazy on you guys, but the numbers illustrate that very few guys throw as many quality innings as Burnett does, or have the same workload. Have a look. Just 14 pitchers have pitched more innings this year than Burnett has, and of those 14, only four have thrown more pitches than Burnett. In total, seven pitchers have thrown more pitches than Burnett has, and of those seven, only Dan Haren allows fewer hits per nine innings (as in, all the other pitchers are facing more batters). In fact, of the 113 pitchers with 10 starts or more, only nine pitchers allow fewer hits per nine innings. Despite his 5-6 record, he’s been one of the biggest reasons the Jays are anywhere near .500, and not completely out of wild card contention. If he misses extended time, the Jays’ second-place finish in 2006 will quickly be replaced by a last-place finish in 2007.

Lastly, Jim Balsillie is back at it, trying to buy the Nashville Predators this time. Word is, he has a deal in place with Hamilton, and is ready to start selling ticket packages. Jim, NHL, if you dick Hamilton around again this time, myself and others in Steeltown will never forgive you. So get it right, or get out now.