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…
Happy 71st birthday to Tom Seaver, who threw a no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds after thrice losing no-nos in the ninth for the New York Mets. Tom Terrific finally got his no-no on Friday, June 16, 1978, just a day shy of the one-year anniversary of the trade that broke Mets’ fans spirit. Seaver struck…
Happy 51st birthday to Dwight “Doc” Gooden, who won his first World Series with the New York Mets but threw his only career no-hitter for the crosstown Yankees. At Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 14, 1996, Gooden no-hit the Seattle Mariners for a 2-0 win, striking out five while walking six. It was his first…
Happy 51st birthday to Kenny Rogers, who knew how to hold ’em against the California Angels on July 28, 1994. The Texas Rangers’ southpaw on that day popped the halos off 27 consecutive Angels batters to toss the majors’ 14th perfect game at The Ballpark at Arlington. Rogers struck out eight batters and had some…
Happy 80th birthday to Bob Gibson, the Nebraska-born Hall of Famer who pitched a no-hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. On Saturday, August 14, 1971, Gibson no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates for an 11-0 win at Three Rivers Stadium. Gibson struck out 10 and walked three batters while helping his team at the plate…
Walter Johnson, a 400+ game winner who threw a 1920 no-hitter for the Washington Senators, was born 128 years ago today. Johnson no-hit the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, July 1, 1920, for a 1-0 victory. He finished out a 21-year Hall of Fame career with a record of 417-279. Also born…