Scott Garceau: Hamels, Royals & Stallions Weekend Winners
Cole Hamels
The non-waiver trade deadline is Friday and Cole Hamels is likely headed out of Philadelphia. Saturday in what may have been his last start with the Phils, Hamels gave them one to remember. The lefty threw just the third no-hitter in franchise history striking out 13 and blanking the Cubs 5-0.
Beating the Cubs isn't that difficult but for some strange reason no-hitting them is, the last pitcher to do it was Hall of Fame Dodgers lefty Sandy Koufax who fired a perfect game against the Cubs 50 years and 7,920 games ago. Former Orioles pitcher Milt Papas, then with the Cubs, was the last to throw a no-hit game at Wrigley Field in 1972. Cole Hamels a ray of sunshine in a stormy summer in Philly.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals already had the best record in the American League Sunday when they landed star pitcher Johnny Cueto in a trade with Cincinnati. Remember when the Royals were that team selling before the deadline, not this year. The Royals got a taste of the World Series last year and now they're all-in with Cueto who won 20 games last year for the Reds.
With Cueto heading the rotation and baseball's best bullpen the Royals can now match-up with anybody in baseball. Cueto will be a free agent after this season and he didn't come cheap, the Royals gave up 3 young pitchers including hard throwing Brandon Finnegan who last year went from The College World Series to the Royals-Giants World Series.
Baltimore Stallions
The boys were back in town 20 years after they became the first team from the states to win the CFL's Grey Cup (and only team in CFL history). About half the roster, coaches, front-office staff, cheerleaders and fans gathered Sunday night on the Towson University Campus for a reunion celebration.
Stallions on hand included CFL Hall of Famers Tracy Ham (QB) and Mike Pringle (RB). General Manager Jim Popp who assembled the championship team was there and sent greetings from CFL Hall of Fame coach Don Matthews who wasn't able to attend due to health issues.
OJ Brigance the only player in pro football history to win a Grey Cup and Super Bowl in the same city got a long standing ovation and offered the night's opening prayer. It didn't feel like a stretch when Punter Josh Miller, who spent time with the Steelers and Patriots, said his 2 years with the Stallions were the most fun of his career.
A young Jim Speros had a dream to bring CFL Football to Baltimore and the owner made it happen with passion and energy. The 1995 CFL Champs never got the recognition they deserved, shortly before they won the Grey Cup news broke that the Browns (now Ravens) were moving to Baltimore. Yes Baltimore was back in the NFL, but it was a death sentence for the Stallions. Baltimore led the CFL in wins and attendance but the NFL was back in town and the Stallions were evicted landing in Montreal. It was great to see them back in Baltimore Sunday night. Well done Jim Speros.
