Sunday April 7th, 2013 was not a good day to be starting pitcher, R.A. Dickey. Since acquiring the knuckleballer in the off-season, Jays fans have been itching to see what the hype is all about. We’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see, as Dickey got roughed up for 10 hits, 7 earned runs, and 2 HR to Will Middlebrooks (who was red-hot and hit 3 on the day) in 4 2/3 innings.

It however, is not a cause for concern, as fans have to realize that this type of horrible outing can happen to any pitcher, even the Ace of the team.

It in fact happened to several notable starters this very same day!

Other MLB Aces who had rough starts:

• David Price: gave up 10 hits (2 HR) and 8 earned runs in 5 innings in the Rays 13-0 loss to the Tribe
• Cole Hamels: gave up 9 hits and 8 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-4 Phillies loss to the Royals
• Stephen Strasburg: 9 hits and 6 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, losing 6-3 to the Big Red Machine
• Matt Cain: only went 3 2/3 innings, giving up 7 hits and 9 earned runs to the Cards
• Justin Verlander: Not a horrific outing going 7 1/3 innings, but gave up 7 hits and 3 earned runs in a Detroit 7-0 loss to the Yanks

So if you were at the Jays game and were one of the disrespectful “fans” booing Dickey, I hope you can recognize that the one thing that all of these pitchers have in common (aside from all having bad starts on the same day) is that they are also HUMAN. We all have bad days, regardless of the line of work. These men all happened to have bad outings. But they will all bounce back. That’s why they’re “aces”.

Remember:

Sometimes you win.

Sometimes you lose.

Sometimes, it rains.