Thank You Letter to Matt Garza

Dear Matt Garza,

Thank you for throwing the fifth no hitter in the 2010 Major League Baseball Season. Thank you also for making it the first no-hitter thrown in Tampa Bay history. Thank you thirdly for demonstrating one of the finest displays of dominance with a fastball in recent memory.

Your feat further solidifies my 2010 thesis that the balance of power has now begun to swing back in the hitters favor. You have proven yet again this really is the "year of the no-hitter." While the record is eight no-nos in season (1984), that was in the dead ball era. No, in the live, post-steroid era, you have achieved near perfection for the first time in your career.

There will no doubt be more no-hitters thrown by Tampa Bay pitchers. My bet is that David Price will have atleast one in a Rays uniform before its all said and done. However, someone needed to step up to the challenge for the Rays and you have done this. Your dominance had been brought into question after a few of your previous starts didn't go as well. Your own father acknowledge how you've been off your game, but you answered in the best fashion possible.

Most importantly, you utilized your fastball in 80% of your pitches to no-hit the Tigers. Literally, in 120 pitches, you threw 100 fastballs. I know you throw 95 mphs, and I am sure that helps some. But pitchers everywhere can learn from how you established your fastball in every count to every hitter. It requires a lot of confidence to throw that many fastballs, but it is necessary to make your other pitches more effective. In addition, there is no reason to veer away from the fastball if the hitters never prove they can hit it. Too often, I see pitchers switch up pitches just for the sake of it. If the hitters can't put a good swing on the fastball, you proved that you can keep throwing it. Thank you for proving once again that the philosophies of Less is More are sound and based in Big League success stories like your self.

May your efforts land you in the hall of fame some day.

Thanks again,


Forrest Cory
Founder, Less Is More Pitching