I found many coincidences involving the number 8 and concluded that Chase Headley and my daughter are cosmically linked, therefore he must never be traded and a statue commemorating his presence should be built beginning . . . well yesterday (8/8/12) would be perfect.
Here are some more whacky configurations of 8, in the Padres game that took place on 8/8/12.
Entering yesterday's game, which took place EXACTLY 4 years after 8/8/8 the following happened between the Padres and Cubs . . .
At game time there was an 8mph wind blowing from left to right.
Clayton Richard got the start. To begin the day he had 8 wins.
Jeff Samardjia got the nod for the Chicago Cubs. He was going for his 8th win. As a batter he saw 9 pitches, 8 of which were strikes.
San Diego exile, Anthony Rizzo also saw 8 strikes. He was 1 for 4 with a K. And it was his birthday. Anthony Rizzo was born on 8/8/89 which was exactly one year after the Cubs played their very first game under the lights at Wrigley Field (8/8/88).
Cubs 3B Josh Vitters saw 8 pitches all day. That's two pitches per/AB. Nice work rookie.
Cubs catcher Wellington Castillo saw 8 pitches in one at bat during the 4th inning.
Padre lead-off hitter Alexi Amarista started in CF (field position #8). There are 8 letters in his last name. His AB in the bottom of the 3rd lasted 8 pitches.
Clayton Richard batted 3 times and saw 8 pitches. While pitching he produced 71 strikes. Only 8 were swinging strikes. During the 7th inning he threw 8 pitches en route to a 1-2-3 inning.
Chase Headley needed 8 strikes to go 2 for 3 with a run scored.
The Padres had 8 ABs with runners in scoring position leading to 2 runs.
In the bottom of the 7th Logan Forsythe, who has 8 letters in his last name, saw 8 pitches from Jeff Samardzija. He struck out.
Chris Denorfia scored the Padres second run. He did it in the bottom of the 8th inning.
The Padres won 2-0 sweeping the Cubs in the 3 game series. It was the Cubs 8th loss in-a-row.
Clayton Richard moved off of his 8th win of the year to improve his record to 9-11. Ross Ohlendorf, who pitched the day before, presumably held the clip board and charted pitches for Richard. It was Ross Ohlendorf's birthday (8/8/82).
When Jeff Samardjia goes for his 8th win in 5 days . . . the Cubs will still suck.
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Jason Bartlett is still wearing number 8. There were reports of him being sighted wandering the stands on Tuesday.
Yesterday I wrote that Chase Headley was the only member of the current 25 man roster still on the team from 8/8/8 and that Nick Hundley was the only other 8/8/8 player still in the organization. Last night Eddy Rodriguez was optioned to Tucson and Hundley was recalled. Nick Hundley's birthday is on the 8th. Of September.
