The Detroit Tigers traded right-hander Virgil Trucks after he threw no-hitters in a season, 63 years ago today. On December 4, 1952, Detroit dealt Trucks, Johnny Groth and Hal White to the St. Louis Browns for Owen Friend, Bob Nieman and Jay Porter. During his 11th season with the Tigers, Trucks threw two no-hitters despite…
Major League Baseball lowered the pitcher’s mound height from 15 inches to 10 inches, 47 years ago today. The rule change was part of a response to the issue of pitching becoming too dominant in the NL and AL, as evidenced by five no-hitters thrown during the ’68 season: 163 Tom Phoebus Baltimore Orioles…
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…
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…
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 55th birthday to Fernando Valenzuela, who threw a no-hitter in 1990 just hours after Dave Stewart threw a no-no. At Dodger Stadium on Friday, June 29, 1990, Valenzuela tossed a 6-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. In an earlier day game, Stewart threw a no-hitter for the Oakland Athletics against the Toronto Blue…