Mike Mussina

Michael Cole "Mike" Mussina (born December 8, 1968 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania) is an American baseball pitcher who currently plays for the New York Yankees.

Brushes With Perfection

Mussina is perhaps most infamously known for his collection of near-perfect outings:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• On May 30, 1997, he retired the first 25 Cleveland Indians he faced before surrendering a single to Sandy Alomar Jr. with one out in the ninth; Mussina struck-out the last two batters for a one-hit 3-0 shut-out.
• On August 4, 1998, he retired the first 23 Detroit Tigers he faced before surrendering a double to Frank Catalanotto with two outs in the eighth; Mussina gave up another hit in the eventual 4-0 shut-out.
• On September 2, 2001, he had his most heart-breaking brush with perfection when he retired the first 26 Boston Red Sox he faced; he then ran pinch-hitter Carl Everett (batting for Joe Oliver) to a 1-and-2 count before Everett slapped a single to right. Mussina retired leadoff man Trot Nixon on a grounder, striking out 13 batters in a one-hit 1-0 shut-out.
• On April 14, 2002, he retired the first 16 Red Sox he faced before surrendering a single to Doug Mirabelli with one out in the sixth; Mussina was replaced by reliever Ramiro Mendoza, and the Yankees finished off the 6-2 win.
• On October 12, 2004, he retired the first 19 Red Sox he faced in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series before surrendering a double to Mark Bellhorn with one out in the seventh; Mussina was replaced by Tanyon Sturtze, and the Yankees finished off the 10-7 win.

Salary

During the 2005 season, Mike Mussina is the 5th highest paid player at $19,600,000.00.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~