Crosley Field,Redland Field,Cincinnati,OH,US Ball Park First Game Date – 04/21/1912 (6) Starting Pitchers – vs. Cubs: 04/11/1912 Final Score 10-6 (CIN) Attendance – 23,500 Starting Pitchers Frank Smith (CIN); King Cole (CHN) First Batter – Johnny Evers (CHN) Result – Grounded to 2B First Hits – Jimmy Sheckard (CHN),Singled to 2B (1st) First Run –…
The Astros retire Don Wilson’s number 40 posthumously in tribute to the right-hander, who was found dead of asphyxiation by carbon monoxide in the garage of his family’s home in January. The 29 year-old fireballer, the author of an 18 strikeout game that tied a major league record, spent nine seasons with Houston, compiling a record of 104-92 along with an ERA of 3.15.
1975 – Pitcher Don Wilson , at age 29, dies at home from carbon monoxide poisoning after falling asleep in his car. His young son, asleep in a bedroom above the garage, also dies in the tragedy. His number 40 is retired by the Astros the following spring, the second Houston player to be so honored.
1974 – Don Wilson hurls a two-hit shutout against the Braves in what would become the final start of his career. He wins, 5-0, even without recording a strikeout. Tommy Helms’ three-run homer is the key blow. In the nightcap, Phil Niekro returns the favor with a two-hit complete game in a 6-2 decision over the Astros.
1974 – Don Wilson is taken out after eight innings of no-hit ball. He is behind, 2-1. Two walks and an error have put Cincinnati ahead. Ironies abound. Wilson is approaching a rare third career no-hitter. The man who hit into the error is Pete Rose, who hit into the run-scoring error that made Ken Johnson a no-hit loser in 1964. The Houston manager is Preston Gomez who similarly yanked Clay Kirby during a no-hit bid while with San Diego. Kirby is watching from the Reds’ dugout. Mike Cosgrove gives up a meaningless single in the ninth that breaks up the bid. Houston loses. Gomez hears the boos.
1974 – Don Wilson collects his 100th victory as an Astro, toppling the Reds, 8-4 . The righthander fans nine in eight innings of work. Lee May drives in three while Cesar Cedeno and Cliff Johnson support with solo homers.
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.
1972 – Don Wilson ties a club record by tossing 13 innings in a complete-game 5-1 victory in San Francisco. Bob Watson and Roger Metzger end it with home runs in the decisive frame. Metzger finishes with four hits and four RBIs. Imagine how scribes would howl at Leo Durocher these days for keeping Wilson out there for 193 pitches.
1971 – Don Wilson fires a two-hitter to outduel Ferguson Jenkins and Chicago, 2-1. Denis Menke doubles home Doug Rader then scores on a single by Jesus Alou. Houston fans boo Joe Pepitone in each of four hitless trips to the plate.
1971 – Joe Morgan raps four hits, steals two bases, scores three times and drives in two to lead the Astros over the Phillies, 8-1, in their first game at Veterans Stadium. Don Wilson strikes the key blow off Jim Bunning, a bunt that found a hole in the artificial turf between third and the pitcher and rolled until two runs were in.