Burt Hooton fires no hitter in 4th start
On April 16, 1972, At Wrigley Field Chicago Cubs rookie Burt Hooton walks seven batters but still manages to hurl a 4-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Hooton accomplishes the feat in just his fourth major league game. He has allowed just eight hits in 30 innings with his knuckle-curve.
It was only the second game of the season for the Cubs because of the players’ strike that spring. Cubs vice-president John Holland almost canceled the game that day due to the wet conditions and bitter north wind, but there was a good advance ticket sale so the game went on. The few fans that stuck it out were rewarded with a gem delivered by the Cubs’ top draft pick out of the University of Texas.
“The things I remember were that it was cold, damp, and the wind was blowing in from the north,”said Hooton. “Somebody (Denny Doyle) hit a line drive and Don Kessinger jumped up to make a real nice catch on it. I remember Greg Luzinski hitting a ball that I thought was out of the ballpark, but of course the wind kept it in the park and Rick Monday caught it in the ivy just in front of the basket.”
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