Larry McKeon pitched a rain-shortened no-hitter for the Indianapolis Hoosiers, 131 years ago today.
The American Association game against the Cincinnati Red Stockings ended in a 0-0 tie, called after six innings due to rain. It’s not considered an official no-no, as no-hitters of less than nine innings were purged from the list in 1991.
The May 7, 1884 Cincinnati Enquirer story about the game, headlined “A Tiresome Affair,” is a hoot.
“It was lacking in hard hitting, one of the most essential requisites to make a contest interesting,” the curmudgeonly writer penned.
He also complained that rain “only made a slow game slower,” the field was in sloppy condition, the ball was soggy and numerous foul balls “did not increase the interest a bit.”
I found a web site selling this Cincinnati Porkopolitans shirt, but it’s only offered in S and XS.
“McKeon’s delivery was a fifteen puzzle for the Porkopolitans, add in the six innings they failed to size it up for a single safe drive.
I have got to find a way to work a 15-puzzle reference into my upcoming book.
