#35 Trevor Cahill

#35 Trevor Cahill

First impression of what’s going on: Not a surprise? Another pitcher pitching. An actual surprise? Great cropping! No missing appendages. Well done, Topps! (How's that for positive reinforcement?) We even get a little perceived “oomph” with Cahill’s expression. After some mediocre cards, this one is off to a good start.

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 14: Trevor Cahill #35 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on June 14, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

The Reality of the Photo: There isn't much to go on with the full picture but the caption limits this photo to the first inning at least. This caption doesn't even give the outcome of the game so let's go to the BOXSCORE.

Wow, a pitcher’s duel. The sixth inning could go to the starter or the bullpen, let’s take a closer look.

Cahill ran into trouble in the sixth and got stuck with the loss. Usually only allowing two runs should get you the win.

As for the first inning, Cahill did allow a pair of base runners but struck out three to escaped unscathed.

You can blame your offense for lack of support (they only managed two hits) but when you start off an inning with a walk and a hit by pitch, it can come back to haunt you. On this day, Cahill paid the price with his 8^th loss of the season.

The good folks at Rawlings wanted to make sure in case you saw Cahill's glove, you knew they were the manufacturer. They have three separate logos in plain sight.

And speaking of logos, can I just say that the sleeve patch logo where the lower case “d” and “b” form a snake head is one of my favorites.  It’s simple yet clever!

It reminds me of the old Brewers logo with the “M” and the “B” that form a ball and glove.

On to the back:

Rookie Fact: Trevor was the 1^st Athletics rookie since 1983 to take a no-hitter to the 7^th.

Take that, Todd Van Poppel! Sorry, that’s the extent of my A’s rookie pitcher knowledge. I probably just dated myself too. Cahill's feat came in just his second career appearance on April 12, 2009 against the Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately, it was another case of lack of run support as Cahill took the 1-0 loss after allowing a single and double in the 7^th inning. Each team had three hits, but only the Mariners managed to convert.

I didn't go year by year so I can’t vouch that Cahill was the first to do it since 1983. But to rub a little salt in the wound for him, I did find a rookie pitcher for the Athletics that got into the7th inning with a no-hitter in 1983 and that guy finished it out. On September 29, 1983 (almost five years before Cahill was born), Mike Warren of the middle-of-the-AL West- pack Oakland A’s no-hit Tony La Russa’s first place Chicago White Sox.

Information I’ll be tracking:

Card Number: #35

Player Name: Trevor Cahill

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: Pitcher

Game Date: June 14, 2013

Opponent: San Diego Padres

Stadium: Petco Park

Division: National League West

Home/Away: Away

Outcome of the game: 2-1, Padres over the Diamondbacks, Loss for the player depicted

Alternate/Throwback Jersey: No

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Birthdate: 3/1/1988

Birthplace: California

Cameos by: N/A

Photographer: Denis Poroy

Niche collections this card could fit into: Free Advertising,

My Grade: This card didn't fit a lot of niches and tells not one, but two stories of lousy run support. But I really, really, really want to reward this card for having one of the best crops to date. And since this is my blog, I shall. It gets a B.