72 years ago today, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Murry Dickson accomplished something that has been matched by just two other major-league pitchers: He tossed a 9-inning no-hitter in spring training.
On Tuesday, March 30, 1948. at St. Petersburg, Florida’s Al Lang Stadium, Dickson no-hit the New York Yankees for 7-0 win. He walked five batters, hit one and struck out six. The Cardinals scored all of their runs in the first inning off Bill Bevens in a rally that included a 3-run home run by Stan “The Man” Musial.
Only two other pitchers threw 9-inning no-hitters in spring games.
On Sunday, April 9, 1939, at New Orleans’ Pelican Stadium, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Cy Blanton no-hit the Cleveland Indians for a 6-0 win. Blanton allowed just one base runner, walking Earl Averill in the sixth inning.
And on Friday, April 4, 1952, at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Steve Ridzik no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals for a 3-0 win. Ridzik was wild, hitting three batters and walking three others while striking out just two.
