On June 26, 1962, Earl Wilson of the Boston Red Sox becomes the first black pitcher in American League history to hurl a no-hitter. Wilson also hits a 400-foot home run off loser Bo Belinsky, who pitched his no-hitter six weeks earlier, in the 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Boston’s Fenway Park.

From Wilson’s SABR Bio During the contest, Wilson faced 31 Angels hitters. He gave up four base on balls, struck out five, had eight ground-ball outs and 14 fly-ball outs. The Red Sox made several key defensive plays behind Wilson, as happens in most no-hitters. These included a fine catch at the wall by Carl Yastrzemski, a grab of a line drive by shortstop Eddie Bressoud, and a catch of a 400-foot fly ball to center field by Gary Geiger. Following the game, Wilson commented, “Honestly, I didn’t think I had as good as stuff as I had in other games I’ve had this year. I never had any idea anything like this would ever happen to me. The good man was with me tonight.” Owner Yawkey gave Wilson a $1,000 bonus for his achievement, declaring, “I am more excited now than I was during Mel Parnell’s no-hitter as Wilson is just arriving at what could be a brilliant career.”