Through eight innings, twenty-six Pirates had stepped into the batter’s box, dug their toes into the dirt, took their stance and faced Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers. Two walked. Twelve struck out. Twelve connected bat to ball but failed to reach base.
A no-hitter loomed for Verlander.
The Pirates trailed 6-0 going into the ninth. Did their fans hope for a comeback? Or did they hope to witness history? Verlander had already tossed two no-hitters; only five other pitchers have thrown three.
The crowd at Comerica Park rose to its feet between the eighth and the ninth inning.
Michael McKenry moved toward home plate. On the sixth pitch, he hit a grounder to short. One out. Two to go.
Did the Pirates fans hope for a comeback? Or to witness history?
To the batter’s box came Josh Harrison.
He swung and missed.
Did the Pirates fans hope for a comeback or to view history?
He swung and missed.
A comeback or history?
He swung and connected, driving the ball foul.
Did the Tigers fans believe the second out would soon happen? Did the Pirates fans hope for a comeback or wish to witness history?
Harrison took the next pitch for a ball.
Comeback or history?
Verlander reached back and delivered the next pitch. Harrison swung, connected, and dropped a single into center field.
That swing ended the chance to witness history. And the next two Pirates each grounded out. No comeback would take place.
Comeback?
History?
This game saw neither.
But there will be other games and sometimes fans of the Pirates and of the Tigers and of every other team will witness a comeback. Sometimes they will witness history.
That’s the beauty of the game.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 