Pitching a perfect game is a rare thing. When something has happened only 23 times, that's pretty rare. But that makes catching a perfect game equally as rare. I've got to wonder if the catchers get snubbed a bit in all the hub-bub surrounding a perfect game. Maybe not by their battery mates (King Felix was very gracious during the post game interview), but by us fans.
Jaso, in particular, may deserve a little more credit than usual for helping Felix over the hump. The Mariners traded for Jaso last November. From where? Tampa Bay -- the franchise that drafted him, groomed him through the minors and eventually shipped him to the Pacific Northwest for this guy and cash. You can believe that Mr. Jaso brought a lot of information about his former teammates with him.
It's not like King Felix was some undeserved bum, but he and Jaso seem to be cosmically linked this season. King Felix had been close to a no hitter before. On April 11, 2007 at Fenway he took a no-no into the 8th. He had already hurled 3 complete game shutouts (5, 3 and 2-hitters, respectively) this season. Coincidentally, on June 28th versus Boston, Jaso was dramatically involved. He did not catch Felix's 5-hit shutout versus Boston, but he entered the game as a pinch hitter in the ninth and drove in the winning run in a 1-0 affair.
When Felix 2-hit the New York Yankees 10 days ago. You guessed it. John Jaso was right there. Not only did the California native squat behind home plate with an above average understanding of AL East hitters. He also crossed home plate in the 2nd inning for the only run of a 1-0 win.
Again it was Jaso who played a leading role in Felix's brilliance. Today, Jaso called the game of his life, using his insider knowledge, and The King hurled them both into the record books. Take a look at the company they keep. THE PERFECT GAME CLUB
