No-no thrower Bill Dinneen jumped from the National League’s Boston Beaneaters to the AL’s Boston Americans, 114 years ago today. Dinneen began his major league career with the National League’s now-defunct Washington Senators in 1898 before pitching for the Beaneaters (now the Braves) in 1900 and 1901. His no-hitter for the Boston Americans (now the…
Jim “Catfish” Hunter, who threw a perfect game for the Oakland Athletics in 1968, signed with the New York Yankees 41 years ago today. Hunter’s 5-year, $3.75 million dollar contract was unprecedented in its day, tripling what any other major league player was making. “With the Cat, we are World Champions,” A’s teammate Reggie Jackson…
“Honest” John Clapp, who caught the major’s first officially recognized no-hitter in 1876, died 111 years ago today. Clapp, the catcher for the National League’s St. Louis Brown Stockings, was behind the plate for George Washington Bradley’s 2-0 no-no over the Hartford Dark Blues at St. Louis’ Grand Avenue Ball Grounds on Saturday, July 15,…
Two-time no-no thrower and eventual Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson became a member of the New York Giants, 115 years ago today. On December 15, 1900, the Cincinnati Reds dealt Mathewson to the Giants for Amos Rusie, an eight-time 20-game winner who hadn’t played ball since the 1898 season. The two pitchers were responsible for…
Opening Day no-no thrower Bob Feller became the first player to enlist in the military after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, 74 years ago today. Feller, who had just completed a 25-13 season — the third straight in which he led the league in victories — enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a chief boatswain’s mate…
Bruce Hurst, who threw two one-hitters for the no-no-less San Diego Padres, joined the Friars 27 years ago today. Hurst, a free agent who spent his first nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, signed with the Padres on this date in 1988. At Jack Murphy Stadium on April 10, 1989, Hurst threw a complete-game…