The Buffalo Bisons’ Pud Galvin tossed the majors’ most lopsided no-hitter, 136 years ago today.
On Monday, August 4, 1884, at Detroit’s Recreation Park, Galvin no-hit the Detroit Wolverines for an 18-0 win. The Detroit Free Press wasn’t exactly complimentary: “It may not be much of a feat to shut out without a hit such a lot of weak batters as Detroit has managed to consolidate in four seasons, but whatever credit attaches thereto belongs to Galvin.”
The Bisons tallied 22 hits in the game, while Gavin didn’t walk a single batter. Three Wolverines reached base on errors.
The Chicago Cubs’ Jake Arrieta just missed Galvin’s mark four years ago, no-hitting the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Great American Ball Park for a 16-0 victory. The Cubs notched 18 hits in the game.
Galvin’s 1884 game marked his second no-hitter, the first coming at Buffalo’s Riverside Park on Friday, August 20, 1880, when Galvin no-hit the Worcester Ruby Legs for a 1-0 win.
Galvin, who was born Christmas Day 1856, won 365 games over an 18-year career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 by the Veterans Committee.
Galvin appears to be the most unknown member of the Hall of Fame. I read a book about him where they credit him with picking off 3 baserunners in 1 inning? Do you know if this happened? Has anyone else ever been given credit for doing that? It is also said that he pitched Professional baseballs first no hitter and perfect game.
Based on Charles Hausberg’s SABR bio of Galvin (https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/pud-galvin/) he picked off three Brooklyn players in the third inning of a game on September 23, 1886. After walking the bases loaded, Galvin picked off George Smith at first base, followed by Bill McClellan at third and Jim McTammany at second to end the inning. He didn’t throw baseball’s first no-no, but he threw its 5th and 15th no-hitters, both for Buffalo. Neither was a perfecto.