It’s late Tuesday night and I sat down to write about Rick Porcello’s second straight complete game shutout but something stopped me. For the most part, my goal as a writer is to provide a message that you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll notice that I don’t write long recaps or cover day to day news on the site. Sure I talk about little things like that on Twitter, but I don’t strive to be a place you come just to hear what’s going on. I’m an analyst and I see it as my job to provide insight and perspective on topics others aren’t covering.

For years, that’s been Rick Porcello in spades. Very few people saw what I saw in him and even fewer were out here banging the drum on his behalf during the longest, 10-hittingist games. The first big viral post on this website was about Porcello last year and I’ve taken on the mantle of “the Porcello guy” and worn it with honor. Tonight I’m looking around and everyone is banging the Porcello drum. National writers, previously skeptical fans, and even his biggest doubters. Porcello’s made it. People are actually talking about him as an All-Star. His ERA is close to 3, his FIP and WAR look good, and he’s looking dominant on a pretty regular basis. Everything I’ve always seen in him is coming true.

I don’t say this to brag, although I’m doing that too, but to point out that Rick Porcello doesn’t need me anymore. It’s no longer trendy to be high on Porcello. It simply is. He’s good and he’s convinced the world of that fact. I’m immensely proud of him and thrilled that people are now seeing what I’ve seen in him for so many years. I can’t tell you exactly what it was, but the first time I saw him pitch I knew he was going to be special. That’s a weird thing for a stat-head type like me to say, but I saw it. I held back for a while but I’ve been screaming it now for quite some time.

I think he’s a star.

Not a Cy Young winning, MVP, Clayton Kershaw star. But a top 25, you can count on me in October star. He’s that good and people are starting to notice.

So basically, my work here is kind of done. I don’t have to be the one to tell you how Porcello is growing into a great pitcher because you’re on board. The bandwagon is full. Won the battle, won the war.

I’m really happy tonight. For Rick. For the fans. For the organization that wouldn’t trade him even when people were screaming for it. I’m a guy with a #48 Rick Porcello shirt. Vintage. Last week was satisfying. Tonight was something else. The end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

Rick Porcello is good and no one needs convincing.