"Toothpick" Sam Jones became the first African-American to throw a Major League Baseball no-hitter, 62 years ago yesterday. Jones, pitching for the Chicago Cubs on May 12, 1955, no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 4-0 win at Wrigley Field. He completed an accomplishment that likely would have been preceded by such Negro Leagues greats as…
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke took a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Thursday night before losing it on a Gregory Polanco homer to lead off the inning. The lost no-no leaves us in a drought of more than a year dating back to April 21, 2016, when the Chicago Cubs’ Jake Arrieta no-hit the…
Al Leiter, Sandy Koufax and Horace “Hod” Eller threw no-hitters on this date. On Saturday, May 11, 1996, 21 years ago today, Leiter threw the Florida Marlins first no-hitter. The New Jersey native no-hit the Colorado Rockies for an 11-0 win at Joe Robbie Stadium. Koufax, who threw four no-hitters with the Los Angeles Dodgers,…
The Detroit Tigers’ Verlander threw his second career no-hitter, six years ago today. On Saturday, May 7, 2011, Verlander no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays for a 9-0 victory at the Rogers Centre. Verlander walked just one batter in the eighth inning while striking out 4. Also throwing a no-no on this date is the New…
Los Angeles Angels rookie Bo Belinsky threw one of the majors’ three May 5 no-hitters, 55 years ago today. On May 5, 1962, Los Angeles Angels rookie Bo Belinsky no-hit the Baltimore Orioles for a 2-0 win that launched the former Trenton pool shark into Hollywood stardom. On this date in 1917, the St. Louis…
“Smokey” Joe Williams tossed a Negro Leagues no-hitter for the New York Lincoln Giants, 98 years ago today. On May 4, 1919, during the first game of a Sunday doubleheader, Williams no-hit the Brooklyn Royal Giants for a 1-0 victory. The hard throwing righty from Seguin, Texas, who also took on the nickname “Cyclone” Joe,…