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Awesome night card, pt. 144


For the record, I'm not 100 percent sure that this is a night card.

Dennis Martinez does appear to be pitching underneath artificial light. It could be in the Astrodome, and Martinez's appearance in the Astrodome in 1987 was a night game. Or maybe it's the Vet, or Three Rivers, in which case it's definitely a night game.

But no matter. If it's determined not to be a night card, I'll just change the post title to "Should've Been a Night Card." I haven't done one of those in a long time.

Anyway, Martinez is here because as you know the Dodgers were no-hit last night. It happened in Seattle in an interleague game, so I don't think it really counts (Dee Gordon was safe, by the way). But I'm a big enough fan to admit when my team is no-hit and not ignore it.

Besides, the Dodgers have been no-hit so many times in their long history that it barely fazes me anymore.

Since 1900, the Dodgers have been no-hit 14 times. And they've come every which way.

Perfect game?

Three times. Dennis Martinez here. Don Larsen. Tom Browning.

World Series?

Don Larsen.

Second of back-to-back no-hitters?

Johnny Vander Meer

First night game in Ebbets Field history?

Johnny Vander Meer

Career record-breaking no-hitter?

Nolan Ryan

Six-pitcher no-hitter, three of whom you've never heard of and are not convinced they're actually major leaguers?

Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, Tom Wilhelmsen

There was quite a while there when I held a grudge against pitchers who threw no-hitters against my team. I never liked John Candelaria, Martinez, Browning or even Ryan for a period. I've gotten over that, probably because the Dodgers have now been no-hit six times since I started following baseball. (I can't even remember Kent Mercker's no-hitter against L.A. in '94)

Martinez I still have a hard time with, only because the no-hitter occurred when I was on vacation, a thousand miles away from home, thoroughly enjoying myself, and then I had to hear about THAT. Way to ruin two weeks of bliss, El Presidente.

But really, it's no big deal.

You've seen the Dodgers lineup this year.

I can't believe it took so long.

(By the way, I was not working last night).

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Night Card Binder candidate: Dennis Martinez, 1988 Score, #601
Does it make the binder?: Probably not. First, I need to know that it really is a night card. Second, I need a second copy of the card.

Comments

JediJeff said…
I was in a band called "Charlie Furbush".
Anonymous said…
Funny, it seems the Dodgers get no-hit when they're really good. ... in '81, '88, in the 50's. Seems odd. But it might be a good sign about your team's season ;-)
Robert said…
I can still remember the final out of Martinez's perfect game. I remember the Expos commentator saying, "El Presidente, El Perfecto". That line will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Commishbob said…
El Presidente!!! Love that card. Bleep the design, the picture is great.

I was lucky enough to have breakfast with Dennis in Arlington once. He was quite a guy.
Laurens said…
That sort of looks like Candlestick Park.