That 2004 team not making the playoffs was just about as disastrous as not making the WS in 2003. It was right freaking there. That last week of the season was a nightmare.
Giddey's in-season turnaround has been otherworldly. I have to believe nobody has ever flipped a switch and went from a 54 TS to a 65 at the break. At least from a high usage player. If he's this guy moving forward that is a huge, huge win.
Jed didn't do enough to follow up after that trade. He should have landed more elite talent and not interesting-characteristic guys. Being a bridesmaid for Scott and Bregman was so Jed.
I don't see #2. There's been 4 players to hit 3 HR on opening day. Tuffy Rhodes' accomplishment (and all of them off of Doc Gooden) tops Hendricks SHO pretty easily IMO.
Per Passan, Sasaki's splitter averaged just 518 RPM in his debut and IVB of -4. No splitter in the league compared in either category last year. It's a true unicorn pitch.