Dirk Lammers is a veteran journalist who began rooting for the New York Mets in the early-1970s when the team’s no no-hitter count was barely 2,000 games old. Lammers has since turned his research into Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders: More Than a Century of Pitching’s Greatest Feats (Unbridled Books) and NoNoHitters.com, where he maintains the Internet's largest archive of no-hitter information.
A happy 66th birthday to Burt Hooton, who threw a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs in just his fourth major-league start. Hooton was just 22 when he tossed the April 16, 1972 no-no at Wrigley Field, leading the Cubs to a 4-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Hooton walked seven and struck out seven, and,…
Lew Burdette, who threw a 1960 no-no for the Milwaukee Braves, died nine years ago today. Burdette, born in Nitro, West Virginia in 1926, no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, August 18, 1960, for a 1-0 win at Milwaukee County Stadium. His no-no was one of 203 victories over an 18-year career, and Burdette posted…
Happy 38th birthday to Devern Hansack, who threw a five-inning rain-shortened no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox in 2006. Major League Baseball’s committee for statistical accuracy had already determined that rain-shortened no-nos were not official no-hitters, but Hansack made the most of his October 1, 2006, against the Baltimore Orioles on the final day of…
“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…