Jordan and John Lackey

Back in the Nineties when Michael Jordan was dominating the NBA, it seemed almost once a year he would come out and tell the media that he had the flu or some other ailment that would prevent him from performing up to the Jordanesque level that he normally did. But it seemed every time that happened, he would drop an insane number. He averaged thirty points and something like ten rebounds, but on those nights he was always throwing in close to fifty or more.

Well lets fast forward in time and change sports. John Lackey was just sick last night. A complete game seven hit shutout, with no walks and five strikeouts. The only problem with that totally sick performance was that Lackey was actually sick.

What was not widely known was that he almost did not pitch. The Angels were ready to replace him if he could not go. An alternate game plan was in place in case our big Texan lost it, but like Jordan, when John felt down he raised up his game. I remember watching the game last night thinking that Lackey looked a little pale. It also seemed like the team was treating him like he was pitching a No-no. But I found out later he was battling a case of Strep throat. I just hope next time he pitches he feels better?

Maybe it was his exhausted body, his total concentration on just pitching and finishing the game, but he did something he had not done for a while. He pitched great. He did get a few timely double plays and important outs, but he pitched like I have not seen from him in a while. You could tell he was on. He did not seem to get upset at plays like hits or hits that could, or should, have been outs. He usually shakes his head, mouths some expletive or throws his fists and body around in disgust or triumph. But last night we saw little of that. He just pitched and pitched well.

Lackey has not allowed a run in 24 innings against Seattle and amazingly all the hits against big John have been singles, 18 in all, moving to (3-0) against the Mariners this season.

GA did give us what I asked for yesterday, RBI’s not ten of them, but three. I asked for ten over a few days, so he still has two more games to get another seven.