As the year comes to a close it’s time to look back at some of the top moments from the Philadelphia Phillies 2010 season. While the team came short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship, there were still several great memories from the past year. It’s time to look back on the top moments of 2010 leading up to the number one memory which will be unveiled on New Years Eve.
#18 Moyer’s Magical Moment – May 7th
There are certain moments in sport when you know you are witnessing something special. On a Friday night in early May, wily veteran Jamie Moyer turned back the clock for one last magical memory.
Jamie Moyer turned back the clock for one last special pitching performance
The 47-year old lefty was phenomenal pitching a complete game, 2-hit shutout in a 7-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Moyer became the oldest pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a shutout.
“Cool, just doing my job,” Moyer said when told of the accomplishment.
The record had previously been held by knuckleballer Phil Niekro who threw a shutout as a member of the New York Yankees against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 6, 1985, at 46 years, 188 days old.
Satchel Paige had been the oldest non-knuckleballer to accomplish the feat. As a member of the St. Louis Browns, he threw a 12-inning shutout against the Detroit Tigers at 46 years, 75 days old.
Moyer was 47 years, 170 days old when he shut down the Atlanta lineup.
“Who knew it was eighth wonder of the world type stuff?” questioned reliever Chad Durbin.
“There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” added Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. “We didn’t really barrel much hard. The guy is 87 years old and he’s still pitching for a reason. That’s about as well-pitched of a game by a guy who throws 80 mph that I’ve ever seen.”
Moyer was simply brilliant. He located perfectly. He changed speeds. He kept hitters off balance all night.
Except for allowing 1st baseman Troy Glaus to single in the 2nd and 8th innings, Moyer completely shut down the Atlanta Braves. He faced just one batter over the minimum and needed just 105 pitches to go the distance.
The veteran stepped to the plate in the 8th inning and received a massive ovation from the sold-out crowd on hand at Citizens Bank Park. Moyer saw 11 pitches in his at-bat which was more than the total he threw in three separate innings of work, including a 3-pitch 2nd inning.
“That was a nice inning,” Moyer said. “I enjoyed that.”
“There weren’t a lot of good at-bats,” said Phillies ace Roy Halladay. “It’s pretty impressive. It’s fun to watch when he’s on like that. He does everything. He throws a little bit of everything and just keeps them off balance.”
Halladay was asked what he expects to be doing at the age of 47.
“Fishing,” he said.
Moyer went the distance for his 3rd career two-hit shutout
It was the third time in Moyer’s career that he recorded a two-hit complete game shutout. The first came back on August 16, 1986 when Moyer shut down the Montreal Expos as a member of the Chicago Cubs. The second was back on June 2, 2006, as a member of the Seattle Mariners against the Kansas City Royals.
“That amazes me,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “You ever heard the old saying, ‘taking him to school?’ Well, he can do that.”
Jayson Werth hit a 3-run homer in the third inning and Raul Ibanez and Wilson Valdez each added two RBIs. But this night was all about Jamie Moyer.
“This kind of stuff pushes you or pushes me,” said Moyer. “I enjoy this. This is what it’s about. I feel like there’s plenty of time when I retire to reflect on things. I’m sure at home we’ll talk about it tonight. As far as sitting back, tomorrow I’ll probably sit and not necessarily think about what happened, but kind of rehearse the game in my mind, go through the game again and be able to see pitches, and thoughts will come back.”
Moyer’s season would eventually be cut short after injuring his pitching elbow in a late July start against the St. Louis Cardinals. He would attempt to rehab the injury and began the 2010 offseason pitching in the Dominican Winter League attempting a comeback at the age of 48. However, Moyer re-injured his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. He plans on trying to make it back to the majors for the 2012 season at the age of 49.
Whether or not Moyer ever makes it back to the major league level, one day he will look back fondly on a special evening in early May of 2010 when he made baseball history. It is a night many Phillies fans will never forget.
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