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• Rank 'Em: How does the AL Cy Young race shape up at midseason?
• Rank 'Em: NL Cy Young race? | NL MVP race? | MLB Power Rankings?

Cliff Lee hasn't had much difficulty polishing his Cy Young credentials against hitters in recent seasons. General managers, on the other hands, have mastered the art of keeping awards out of his hands.

Lee won the AL Cy Young in 2008 but any chance for a repeat in 2009 was derailed when the Indians traded him across leagues to the Phillies. Another offseason swap landed him back in the AL, but will a strong first half only serve to spark yet another trade? Or might Lee mount a Cy Young season from the depths of last place?

• "If you guys think you're going to get him easily than you're kidding yourselves. This isn't Bill Bavasi running the team anymore, we are not giving up players like Choo and Cabrera for nobodies anymore. I would almost rather just keep Lee, get the two draft picks at the end of the year and watch Z do what he does best which is drafting great talent." -- SN commenter CGhereICome

Mike W (Chicago)

Lets start this off with Cliff Lee. What are the odds he goes to Cincinnati for a playoff push and what would it take to get him?

Jerry Crasnick

Mike, I find the Reds to be a very interesting stealth Cliff Lee candidate. There's something special going on with that team, Walt Jocketty has a history of making deals like this, and the owner, Bob Castellini, is a very motivated guy. But Edinson Volquez's comeback clearly complicates matters. I think they'd like to give Volquez another couple of weeks before they jump in with both feet on Lee. Full transcript.

We've seen Dewayne Wise save perfection. Jerry Hairston Jr.? You are no Dewayne Wise.

A potential second perfect game this season was undone in Baltimore Monday when Hairston Jr. booted a grounder with two outs in the the seventh, but Andy Pettitte still gave Yankees fans nearly seven innings of hope they might see something special.

And while the rest of us can always take satisfaction in Yankees fans being denied, what's the best pitching performance you've ever watched from start to finish?

There seem to be two tiers of answers. First, there's any game you've watched on television. It counts, but it's the Golden Globes of witnessing greatness. Then there is the second tier, the Oscars, which comes with games you witnessed in person from the stands. Were you there for Buehrle's perfect game? Kerry Wood's 20 strikeouts? A near-miss that nobody else now remembers? Let's hear the stories.

• When do you get excited about a perfect game? For most voters, it's the seventh inning.
• Vote: Perfect game or four home runs? What sports feat do you want to see in person?
• Chats: Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, 11 ET | Blogger Rob Neyer, 12 ET

“

It has to hurt to lose a shot at immortality like that, but Pettitte was kind enough to console Hairston...and classy enough to credit Nick Markakis, who broke up the no-hitter after Hairston's error. What a guy.

” -- berberage

“

yankees vs red sox in ALCS. 7 games. hairston j.r. walk home run. that should make up for his error.

” -- brillyaunce