On March 22, Jamie Moyer, competing for a spot in the Rockies’ rotation, tossed four 
perfect innings (with four strikeouts) against the San Francisco Giants. No biggie, right? What’s four perfect innings in one meaningless spring game?
Well, this one had considerable significance. Moyer, 49, pitched his first game in the big leagues on June 16, 1986. He sat out last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, did some work with ESPN, and then decided he had to give it one more try (at his age, you probably wouldn’t say “good ol’ college try”).
After the March 22 game, he had tossed 9 innings against major league teams this spring, with four hits, one run, no walks and seven strikeouts – using pinpoint control, a fast ball that doesn’t reach 80 mph and an assortment of off speed pitches to baffle hitters.
Will he win a spot in the rotation, competing with 20-somethings who benefit from Moyer’s pitching Ph.D. every time he takes the mound? The jury’s still out as BBRT posts, but it’s looking good. No matter what the outcome, the entire Rockies’ staff is learning a lot about changing speeds, changing locations and getting hitters off balance.
They are also learning a lot about heart and the satisfaction of doing something you love.
BBRT thanks Jamie Moyer for that lesson. Jamie Moyer’s comeback should teach us all about the importance of following our passion, maintaining a positive attitude and never being afraid to try. Officially, Jamie Moyer has left the mound a winner 267 times. In reality, he’s a winner everyday – on and off the mound.
And, by the way, should he earn a roster spot and notch a victory, Moyer would become the oldest pitcher to ever win a major league game. He also will add to a remarkable career. He has 24 major league seasons under his belt, 267 wins, two 20-win seasons, more than 4,000 innings pitched, has been to the postseason four times (1997, 2001, 2007, 2008) and, heck, he’s even got 49 base hits. Wouldn’t it be great if number 50 was Moyer’s first home run – it is Colorado after all.
All of this from a pitcher who says his fastball was always below average. Jamie Moyer has always pitched with his head – and his heart. BBRT salutes his accomplishments, applauds his spirit and anticipates his first official 2012 start.
