Tag Archives: clay kirby

44 years since the Kirby-Gomez incident

This day in no-no history, This day in Padres no-no historyBy Dirk Lammers July 21, 2014 Leave a comment

Just a day after Odrisamer Despaigne nearly allowed the San Diego Padres to finally shed the label of being the only major league team never to throw a no-hitter, nonohitters.com celebrates the anniversary of another significant event in that story. San Diego could have exited the no-no club 44 years ago today, early in the…

Happy 70th Cito Gaston

No-no birthdaysBy Dirk Lammers March 17, 2014 Leave a comment

A happy 70th birthday to former Padres outfielder Cito Gaston, who in 1970 was put in to pinch hit for Clay Kirby by manager Preston Gomez despite Kirby having a no-hitter through eight innings. San Diego was down 1-0 to the New York Mets at the time. Gaston struck out, reliever Jack Baldschun gave up…

“… a fascinating book that will appeal to both the historian and the die-hard fan.”

Jeff Ayers
The Associated Press

“This volume is the complete – and I mean fully complete – story of the no-hit games in the long history of Major league Baseball, and it will serve as the place to look if one wonders why baseball makes such a big deal of no-hit games. With prodigious research, Lammers has produced not just the bare bones of each no-hit game but adds to each game story the little and telling details that are so alluring.”

Fay Vincent
Former MLB commissioner, foreword writer

“… delightfully written … story after fascinating story about the most compelling characters and unlikely events.”

Matt Sutherland
Foreword Reviews ★★★★★

“Like the book’s subject, Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders is full of intrigue, suspense and just enough random good fortune to go down in history. In revisiting the unforgettable and revealing the forgotten, Dirk Lammers deals a quirky treasure for baseball lovers.”

Jon Springer
Author of Mets by the Numbers

“As an official scorer, I’m aware of the tension and drama when a pitcher takes a no-hitter into the later innings. In Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders, Dirk Lammers has captured this drama and added to it with insights and analysis for those who achieved this honor. Mixed in with fun facts about more than 100 years of no-hitters, Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders is entertaining and enlightening.”

Stew Thornley
MLB Official Scorer for Minnesota Twins games

“… an exuberant romp through the history of one of baseball’s most impressive achievements.”

Paul Hagen
MLB.com

“In “Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders,” Lammers takes a topic that might seem narrowly focused and opens it up with all sorts of interesting angles.”

Ross Atkins
Christian Science Monitor

“It’s fantastic. My kinda baseball book. Just the right combo of pure stats, information, obscure history and incisive commentary. I know I’ll be going back to it often for reference (and, hey, maybe a song or 2!).”

Steve Wynn
Musician, The Baseball Project, The Dream Syndicate

“Never have so many no-nos inspired such resounding yes-yeses! A baseball research book with a sense of humor—novel concept.”

Mike Veeck
Minor-league baseball owner, promoter behind the Chicago White Sox’s Disco Demolition Night

“I do think you have a winning idea. This is a book that should sell. Bo Belinsky was my favorite, followed by Don Larsen, and the only one I saw in person, Bob Forsch.”

W.P. Kinsella
Author of Shoeless Joe, adapted into "Field of Dreams"

“I loved reading about all of the no-hitters. There are a lot of things that I had no idea about, like “Hooks” Wiltse also losing his perfect game in the ninth inning but saving his no-hitter. Even if you do not know anything about baseball, this is a great book about the great history of the game.”

Milt Pappas
MLB pitcher 1957-1973 ('72 no-no)