I had half a notion to take a list of all the players wearing number 42 today and figure out who had the best afternoon, but the point might be moot. C.C. Sabathia, who ignored my suggestion that he wear Larry Doby’s number 14 in honor of the former Cleveland star’s integration of the American League, donned 42 and turned into Superman, striking out ten and limiting the White Sox to five hits in eight innings of work.
Sabathia’s Indians pulled out a 2-1 win despite recording only one hit, a leadoff double by Grady Sizemore (also wearing number 42) in the first inning. The AP story said that it was the first time Cleveland had recorded just one hit and won the game since April 12, 1992 against Boston, but that isn’t exactly true: in that game, played in Cleveland, Red Sox pitcher Matt Young allowed no hits through eight innings, but seven walks and an error gave the Tribe a 2-1 lead and guaranteed that they did not have to bat in the bottom of the ninth.
The remarkable thing about that game was that it was the first half of a doubleheader. In the nightcap, Roger Clemens won with a complete game two-hitter. If memory serves, the two Cleveland hits are still a record for twinbills.
(Photo: Associated Press)
Comments are closed.