Happy 129th birthday to Grover Cleveland Alexander, one of the greatest pitchers not to throw a no-hitter. Alexander compiled a 373-208 record with a 2.56 ERA over a 20-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. “Ol’ Pete” came close to a no-no in 1915. He was dominating the…
The Philadelphia Phillies traded no-no pitcher Rick Wise to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Carlton, 44 years ago today. The February 25, 1972, trade came in the offseason following Wise’s no-no. On Wednesday, June 23, 1971, at Riverfront Stadium, Wise no-hit the Cincinnati Reds for a 4-0 Phillies win. Wise pitched 11 more years…
Hall of Famer Tom Seaver signed a New York Mets contract for $172,000 per year to become the highest paid player, 42 years ago today. But that money couldn’t buy the Mets a no-hitter, as “Tom Terrific” couldn’t accomplish the feat until after he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The no-no occurred on Friday,…
Happy 59th birthday to Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart, who threw a no-hitter for the Oakland Athletics in 1990. On Friday, June 29, 1990, Stewart no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays for a 5-0 victory at the SkyDome. Hours later and thousands of miles away, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela no-hit the St. Louis…
Three Rivers Stadium, which hosted no-hitters by Bob Gibson, John Candelaria and Francisco Cordova/Ricardo Rincon, was imploded 15 years ago today. The Pirates made Three Rivers the team’s home from 1970 through 2000, and the ballpark fared much better in no-nos than the Bucs’ previous home. Forbes Field, the Pirates’ home from 1909 through 1970,…
Grover Cleveland Alexander, who won 373 career games but none of them ended with a zero in the “H” column, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame 78 years ago today. Alexander compiled a 373-208 record with a 2.56 ERA over a year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago Cubs and the…