Jim Bibby threw the first no-hitter in Texas Rangers history, 47 years ago today.
On Monday, July 30, 1973, on the road at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Bibby no-hit the Oakland Athletics for a 6-0 win. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander relied mostly on his fastball during the contest, striking out 13 A’s batters but walking six.
Shortstop Jim Fregosi saved the no-no in the third, fielding a deep ground ball into the hole off the bat of Ted Kubiak and firing to first for the out. Then in the eighth, Fregosi’s replacement, Pete Mackanin, made back-to-back defensive gems on a Kubiak slow bouncer and a Bill North sharp grounder to keep the no-no intact.
