California’s Nolan Ryan strikes out 12, including the side in the 1st, and hurls his first career no-hitter in beating Kansas City, 3 – 0. For C Jeff Torborg, it is his third no-hitter. SS Rudy Meoli preserves the no-no with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the 8th. It is the first of a record seven no-hitters the “Ryan Express” will throw during his career, including another one in two months.
1973 – Manager Leo Durocher returns from a three-week hospital stay to watch Don Wilson toss a three-hitter over Cincinnati, 5-1. Lee May’s two-run shot gets the scoring started. Interim manager Preston Gomez was 14-3 in Durocher’s absence, perhaps leading Leo to a quicker recovery.
On May 9, 1973, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench wins a battle of future Hall of Famers. For the second time in his career, the All-Star catcher hits three home runs against left-hander Steve Carlton. Bench finishes with seven RBIs to lead the Reds over the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-7. Bench homers in the 1st, walks…
Baltimore’s Al Bumbry and Rich Coggins hit their first major league homers, slugging them back-to-back off the Athletics’ Catfish Hunter. The A’s still win, 4 – 3.
On a rainy night at Shea Stadium, the seventh-inning line drive off the bat of Atlanta’s Marty Perez strikes Jon Matlack’s forehead so hard that the ball ricochets into the Mets dugout. Fortunately, the 23 year-old southpaw sustains only a hairline fracture of his skull, and will return to the mound on May 19 to blank the Bucs for six innings at Pittsburgh.
In a 9 – 7 losing effort against the Giants, Cardinals ace Bob Gibson makes his 242nd consecutive start. It is a new 20th century record, passing that of Red Ruffing, who never pitched in relief the last 10 years of his career.
For the second time in his career, Pirate Willie Stargell poles one out of Dodger Stadium. His blast off Andy Messersmith hits the right field pavilion roof 470 feet away. His first home run, a 506-foot shot, came off Alan Foster on August 5, 1969. No other player has hit a fair ball out of the stadium. Los Angeles wins, 7 – 4.
Ralph Miller, the last living 19th century ballplayer, dies in Cincinnati at 100 years of age. He is the first former major leaguer to become a centenarian.
On May 8, 1973, Chicago Cubs coach Ernie Banks becomes the first African American to manage during a major league game. When Cubs manager Whitey Lockman is ejected in the third inning, Banks takes over the reigns for the rest of the game. With Banks at the helm, the Cubs edge the San Diego Padres,…
1973 – Houston scores four in the 14th to topple the Mets, 9-5. Doug Rader’s two-run double is the big blow in the inning. Cesar Cedeno has four hits, including a home run. Jim Ray is the winning pitcher.
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