Every morning, I send an email to my sports-averse coworkers detailing the biggest events in the sports world that day. This is to help them better converse with the sport-obsessed among us. I will publish this email every morning as the Bias Bulletin.

Perfection

If you read Friday’s Bulletin, you were left with a bevy of options for the “Game of the Weekend.” Nowhere, on Friday, did you read that Saturday’s Seattle Mariners/Chicago White Sox game would be the game we’d remember. But the truly great thing about sports is that you just never know. That’s why you never leave a game early. And that’s why you should never take for granted a pitching matchup that features Blake Beaven and Philip Humber.

On Saturday afternoon, Humber pitched 21^st perfect game in MLB history. No hits. No walks. Not a single base runner. 27 men came to the plate. All 27 were retired. It was a great moment for a really nice guy who has, over the course of his career, had some tough times. Humber was once the top prospect in the New York Mets system, drafted 3^rd overall in 2004 out of Rice University. He was the centerpiece of the prospect package that the Twins received from New York when they traded Johan Santana, even after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Then, like many Rice pitchers before him, Humber’s arm continued to fail him. He bounced around Minnesota’s system, before landing in Kansas City briefly. The Royals would waive him. He’d be claimed by the Athletics. The Athletics would waive him. He would be claimed by the White Sox. Entering last season, Humber appeared as though he’d enter the long list of top pitching prospects to wxit the game more quietly than they arrived (let’s call this the Bryan Bullington All-Stars). Then, something happened. Humber was the most reliable starting pitcher for the White Sox last year. His numbers were not elite, but he found a way to pitch effectively with slightly diminished stuff. His location was better. In short, he was better.

Saturday was the continuation of a long journey back for a guy who could have easily given up. Instead, Humber, on a weekend replete with sports stories, became the headliner. It was a much deserved return from (and for some, introduction to) the brink.

Ron Artest Elbowed a Man in the Head Because He is Ron Artest

Yesterday’s Thunder/Lakers game could easily have led the sports news on merits alone. The Thunder controlled most of the first three quarters. Then the Lakers surged, forced two overtimes, and pulled away late to win by 8.

Instead of talking about a really good basketball game though, wouldn’t you know it, we’re talking about Ron Artest being Ron Artest. Late in the second quarter of the game, Artest made a nice move to the basket and executed a dunk, as Thunder forward Serge Ibaka trailed him. It was, for any player, a solid move. Artest, in celebrating, pounded his chest and bumped into Thunder guard James Harden. He then took his left arm and swung it wildly at Harden, connecting directly with his head. Harden crumbled to the floor cradling his head. Meanwhile, Artest, with Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins pursuing him, backpedaled, mugging angrily at the Thunder players, and grabbed his crotch. Artest was ejected and will face a suspension that most experts believe will be for 5 games. Harden, meanwhile, suffered a concussion and will be out until he can pass a series of tests. The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday.

Enjoy The President’s Trophy

The National Hockey League gives out a trophy annually to the club with the regular season’s best record. This year, the Vancouver Canucks were the recipient of that trophy. Ironic then, that the Canucks now find themselves eliminated from the playoffs, after just five games. Last night, behind the solid goaltending of Jonathan Quick, the Los Angeles Kings won their first playoff series in a decade, beating the Canucks 2-1 in overtime. The Kings won the series 4-games-to-1.

Elsewhere in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers closed out their series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Boston Bruins, after losing Game 5 at home, returned the favor yesterday in Washington, forcing a Game 7, back in Boston, on Wednesday night.

Your Daily Washington Nationals Update

The Nationals have today off and had yesterday’s game postponed due to rain. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to talk about today.

The Nats are currently 12-4. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 games. They won both games this weekend against the Miami Marlins, a team that has given the Nationals fits over the previous 5 years. Saturday, the Nationals won 3-2, despite batting Mark DeRosa and Chad Tracy in the 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was a late scratch with some minor shoulder inflammation. Zimmerman says he will be good to go tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, the Nats will begin a 6-game West Coast swing tomorrow night in San Diego. They’ll follow that up with a trip north to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers.

Game of the Day

A couple of elimination games in the NHL today, but I know my audience. So….

New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers (7:05/ESPN). CC Sabathia takes the mound against Derek Holland and his gorgeous mustache. The Rangers are 13-3 and if you’re a fan of any other team, you’re terrified of the Rangers. As good as Washington, St. Louis, and Los Angeles (NL) have looked, the Rangers have looked that much better. They have the American League’s best rotation and best lineup. Meanwhile, for the Yankees, CC Sabathia is trying to get his season on more solid footing. This will be a good, early series.

Or you could watch hockey…