Ken Johnson, the only major league pitcher to throw a nine-inning no-hitter yet lose, died Saturday in Pineville, Louisiana, at the age of 82. I had the honor of interviewing Johnson on May 2014 as I was just beginning to write Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders. He talked with me about that April 23, 1964 Houston Colt…
Bo Belinsky, the Los Angeles Angels rookie whose 1962 no-hitter thrust him into the Hollywood spotlight, died 14 years ago today. On Saturday, May 5, 1962, the former Trenton pool shark no-hit the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium for a 2-0 win. Belinsky quickly became a darling of the tabloids, spending his nights drinking on…
Lew Burdette, who threw a no-hitter for the Milwaukee Braves in 1960, was born 89 years ago today. On Thursday, August 18, 1960, Burdette no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies for a 1-0 win at Milwaukee County Stadium. Tony Gonzalez became the lone Philadelphia base runner after Burdette hit him with a pitch in the fifth inning.…
The San Francisco Giants’ Tim Lincecum, who has tossed two career no-hitters, won his second straight Cy Young Award, six years ago today. Lincecum is one of only three major league pitchers to win consecutive Cy Young Awards and throw multiple no-hitters. Lincecum won his NL Cy Young Awards in 2008-09. His no-hitters, both thrown…
Happy 33rd birthday to Jonathan Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants in 2009. On Friday, July 10, 2009, Sanchez no-hit the San Diego Padres for an 8-0 win over the Friars at AT&T Park. Sanchez struck out 11 and walked none. The only runner to reach base was Chase Headley, who…
The Oakland Athletics’ Vida Blue, who in 1970 became the youngest modern-era pitcher to throw a no-hitter, became the youngest player to win an MVP award, 44 years ago today. Blue was 22 when he earned the 1971 MVP award (as well as the 1971 Cy Young Award) with a 24-8 record and a league…