No matter how old he is, Big Sexy is still Big Sexy. Bartolo Colon proved last night that even at 44, he can still pitch with the kids. Now with the Minnesota Twins, Colon pitched a complete game against the Rangers on Friday, allowing four runs and nine hits on 106 pitches. He didn’t exactly stifle the Rangers, but he more than got the job done. The Twins backed him up with eight runs, giving Colon all the breathing room he needed.
Bartolo Colon tossed a (big, sexy) complete game at 44 years old
Saturday’s Say Hey, Baseball features Big Sexy’s pitching triumph, another story about Donald Trump failing to get into baseball, and a surprise from Bernie Williams.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s OK, though. Subscribe to our daily MLB newsletter and let us do the heavy lifting for you each morning to find the things you need to see.
Colon is the oldest pitcher to throw a complete game since 47-year-old Jamie Moyer tossed a two hour and two minute complete game on June 5, 2010 (a game I happened to be at). And Colon is the oldest American League pitcher to do it since 45-year-old Nolan Ryan went the distance (and struck out 13 Yankees) on July 4, 1992. But Colon’s complete game almost didn’t happen. Just three weeks ago, when Colon was essentially dumped by the Braves, he was considering retirement. He made one start with the Twins, but didn’t like how he was pitching, and told ESPN that after his next start he might hang it up. But he kept on going, and with each start with the Twins he got progressively better. Big Sexy had more in the tank.
Colon’s complete game is an exciting anomaly, but it might not mean much in the long run. What Colon did proves that he can do it, not that he will do it every time out. He limited his pitches thanks to those nine hits, and issued just one walk (and five strikeouts). The Rangers made Colon work for it, but not like they could have. Colon could go out next time and give up four runs in one inning. But that’s not really the point. Colon is loved because he’s atypical. He’s a big guy (or a Big Sexy guy) who doesn’t look like a typical pitcher, and he’s 44. But more than anything, Colon is just fun. And last night, despite the whispers of retirement, he showed that he can still pitch with the best of them.
- When Bartolo was in the ninth inning, the PA announcer at Target Field played “Sexy And I Know It” as he walked out to the mound, which is both appropriate and jaw-droppingly amazing.
- At some point in recent history, Donald Trump wanted to buy and own the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Grant Brisbee breaks down the possible scenarios (and then just breaks down).
- If you ever wanted to see the two dudes from Run The Jewels throw out a first pitch, this is your chance. And Killer Mike did pretty well!
- A broken jaw for Willy Garcia is giving Nick Delmonico a chance to make an impression in left field for the Yankees.
- Yu Darvish made his Dodgers debut and you already know how this ends: he stifled the Mets for seven shutout innings.
- Bernie Williams opened a pack of old baseball cards on camera and actually got himself. Who did he trade himself for? Bo Jackson, of course.
- Alex Gordon isn’t doing so hot this year, but with the Royals on a roll, is it time for Gordon to ride the pine?
- The St. Lucie Mets have set a new attendance record, and while they don’t say it’s because of Tim Tebow, it’s because of Tim Tebow.
See More:
