An official no-hit game occurs when a pitcher (or pitchers) allows no hits during the entire course of a game, which consists of at least nine innings. In a no-hit game, a batter may reach base via a walk, an error, a hit by pitch, a passed ball or wild pitch on strike three, or catcher’s interference.
An official perfect game occurs when a pitcher (or pitchers) retires each batter on the opposing team during the entire course of a game, which consists of at least nine innings. In a perfect game, no batter reaches any base during the course of the game.
In 1991, the Major League Baseball Committee for Statistical Accuracy adopted those definitions for a no-hitter and perfect game. Previously recognized no-hitters, those with fewer than nine innings, or those where the first hit was allowed after the ninth were removed from the record set.
On April 16, 1940, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians hurls the first and only Opening Day no-hitter in major league history. Feller outduels Edgar Smith of the Chicago White Sox in winning a 1-0 decision at Comiskey Park. During one at-bat, White Sox star Luke Appling fouls off 15 straight pitches, but fails to get a hit.
Monte Pearson becomes the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Yankee Stadium, beating the Indians, 13-0. Thanks to two double plays, the 29 year-old right-hander faces the minimum 27 batters when he records his tenth consecutive victory.
On June 15, 1938, The first night game was played At Ebbets Field in front of 38,748 fans including Babe Ruth. Johnny Vander Meer was the starting pitcher for the visiting Cincinnati Reds. He was coming off a 3-0 No hitter vs the Boston Bees on June 11th. Vander Meer walks eight, including three one-out…
On June 11, 1938, At Crosley Field Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer hurls the first of his record two consecutive no-hitters. Vander Meer strikes out four batters and walks three in shackling the Boston Bees, 3-0. Vander Meer‚ in his first full season‚ strikes out 4 to increase his league-leading total to 56. Danny MacFayden is…
Dodger right-hander Fred Frankhouse holds the Reds hitless for 7.2 innings before a heavy downpour ends the Ebbets Field contest permanently. The right-hander’s 5-0 victory will be one of the 31 “no-no’s” erased when MLB redefines a no-hitter in 1991 as a game in which a pitcher throws nine innings or more without giving up a hit.
On September 21, 1934, the Dean brothers enjoy an incredible day against the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the first game of a twinbill, Dizzy Dean spins a three-hit shutout. In the nightcap winning 13-0, Daffy Dean pitches a 3-0 no-hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Deans set a record for the fewest hits allowed…
Just four days after throwing a no-hitter, Satchel Paige finds himself on the short end of another no-hitter, thrown by Willie “Sug” Cornelius. However, Cornelius’ Chicago American Giants are unable to score, and the game is a scoreless tie after nine innings. Paige’s Pittsburgh Crawfords break open the no-hitter in the 10th inning, and Paige beats Cornelius, 3 – 0.
In the second game of a doubleheader, Satchel Paige pitches the first no-hitter in Greenlee Field as the Pittsburgh Crawfords defeat the New York Black Yankees, 6 – 0. Three Hall of Famers support Paige: Oscar Charleston at first base, Judy Johnson at third, and Josh Gibson in left field. Ted Radcliffe, who pitched in the first game, is behind the plate for Paige’s gem.
Wes Ferrell of the Cleveland Indians pitches a 7 – 0 no-hitter over the St. Louis Browns, whose roster includes his brother, Rick. Wes helps his own cause with a home run, a double, and four RBI.
On October 3, 1926 Thirty years before Don Larsen would accomplish the feat, Claude “Red” Grier of the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants pitches a post-season no-hitter against the Chicago American Giants, walking six and striking out eight in Baltimore’s Maryland Park. Grier had been shelled in the 2nd inning of Game 2 the day before,…
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