The Dodgers finally had a week on the field that was more newsworthy than their off-the-field exploits. The day after Josh Beckett snapped an eighteen year streak for the Dodgers by throwing a no-hitter there was almost a perfect game. Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched a hitless game until the 8th inning. But according to legendary announcer Vin Scully, play-by-play man Charley Steiner isn't to blame for the botched stat. So take your silly superstitions elsewhere.
The buzz during the game was palpable especially since there was a chance to make history two days in a row (via LA Times):
"A day after Beckett recorded the first no-hitter for the Dodgers since 1996, Ryu came within six outs of the first perfect game by a Dodger since Sandy Koufax against the Chicago Cubs in 1965...
"'Of course it was in the back of my mind,' Ryu, through an interpreter, said when asked about the chance for a perfect game.
"Ryu added that 'it wasn't until the seventh inning that I thought it could actually happen.'"
Of course it is considered unlucky for announcers to speculate on the possibility of a no-hitter or, God forbid, a perfect game. But some people think that is silly and childish, like announcer Vin Scully who decried such shenanigans in a 1960 interview (via TMZ):
"'I've called two near no-hitters this year. And have kept the listeners informed from the fourth inning on,' Scully said at the time.
"'It's insulting the listeners to make them think they're silly and superstitious enough to believe my telling them that a no-hitter is going will affect the game.'"
That's well and good but Charley Steiner brought it up and the jig was up two pitches later.
What do you think? Even if it is silly, would you rather respect certain sports superstitions?
Tell us your thoughts in the comment field below.
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