“Schoolboy” Johnny Taylor, who no-hit Satchel Paige’s Dominican All-Stars in 1937, was born 100 years ago today. Taylor, a New York Cubans pitcher, was representing the Negro All-Star Team on Sunday, September 19, 1937, during a benefit All-Star game at the Polo Grounds. Taylor held Paige’s team hitless and issued just two bases on balls.…
Syndey Blue Sox pitcher David Welch threw the first no-hitter in the history of the new Australian Baseball League, five years ago today. On Feb. 4, 2011, in Game 1 of a best-of-three playoff series, Welch no-hit the Adelaide Bite for an 8-0 win in front of 1,162 fans at Blacktown Olympic Park. The 27-year-old…
Lou Criger, Cy Young’s favorite catcher who caught two of his no-hitters, was born 144 years ago today. Criger caught Young’s 1897 no-no for the Cleveland Spiders during the opening game of a September 18 doubleheader at Cleveland’s League Park. The Spiders topped the Cincinnati Reds 6-0. Criger was also behind the plate for Young’s…
Happy 48th birthday to Scott Erickson, who threw a no-hitter for the Minnesota Twins in 1994. Erickson had been struggling when he took the ball on Wednesday, April 27, 1994, entering the game with a 7.48 ERA. But he treated the 18,000 fans at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome by no-hitting Milwaukee Brewers for a…
Wes Ferrell, who tossed a Cleveland Indians no-hitter in 1931 while driving in four runs, was born 108 years ago today. On Wednesday, April 29, 1931, Ferrell held the St. Louis Browns hitless at Cleveland’s League Park for a 9-0 win. He was just as impressive at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI home…
Happy 48th birthday to the Atlanta Braves’ Kent Mercker, who threw a 1994 no-hitter three years after tossing 6 innings of a combined no-no. Mercker threw his solo no-no during his first start of the 1994 season. On Friday, April 8, 1994, at Dodger Stadium, Mercker walked four Los Angeles Dodgers, struck out 10 and…