A single no hitter is not that rare (256 of them). But having the same team do it in back to back games is unthinkable. It didn't happen. My point is that if it had, it would have been the most inconceivable back to back feat ever. If you've got another, let me know.
Just did some back of the envelope and calculations say B2B no hitters would be around a 1 in 4.1 million chance, all else equal. Again, I don't think it's ever happened (for a team anyway).
I wouldn't say a cycle is that amazing either. Where are you getting that number?
First of all I don't think you're counting perfect games but they are also no hitters.
You may be right on the number. I read 281 but I could easily be wrong. Maybe you're not counting combined No-No's. I don't know.
No-hitter
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In baseball, a no-hitter (also known as a no-hit game) refers to a game in which one of the teams prevented the other from getting a hit. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter". Throwing a no-hitter is rare and considered an extraordinary accomplishment for a pitcher or pitching staff. In most cases in the professional game, no-hitters are accomplished by a single pitcher who throws a complete game.
Because it is possible to reach base without a hit (most commonly via walk or error), the term no-hitter does not imply that the opposing team had no baserunners. Thus, although it is extremely uncommon, it is possible for a pitcher to throw a no-hitter and yet lose the game. The case of a no-hitter in which the other team has not reached base at all is called a perfect game, which is a victory, a shutout, and a no-hitter. In a perfect game, a pitcher or combination of pitchers on the same team will have retired all batters faced during the game.
One of the most common baseball superstitions is that it is bad luck to mention a no-hitter in progress, especially to the pitcher.[1] Some sportscasters observe this taboo, while others have no reservations about mentioning no-hitters before completion (and are sometimes blamed for jinxing no-hitters). In the age of television, cutaways to commercial breaks often feature a line score, visually informing the viewer of the no-hitter in progress even if the announcer keeps silent about it. When Sandy Koufax pitched his no-hitter against the Mets in 1962, Mets' coach Solly Hemus, apparently trying to jinx Koufax, kept heckling him through the game about pitching a no-hitter, according to a post-game interview Koufax gave after pitching his third no-hitter in 1964.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Definition
* 2 Records
* 3 Combined no-hitters
* 4 Opening Day, title-clinching, and post-season no-hitters
* 5 Rookie no-hitters
* 6 Shortened no-hitters
* 7 No-hitters in a losing cause
* 8 No-hitters lost in extra innings
* 9 Teams without no-hitters
* 10 Escaping no-hitters
* 11 See also
* 12 References
* 13 External links
[edit] Definition
A no-hitter is defined by Major League Baseball thusly: "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."[2] By this rule, a pitcher who throws fewer than nine no-hit innings (for example, a no-hitter called on account of rain after seven innings) is not credited with a no-hitter, and neither is a pitcher who throws nine no-hit innings but gives up a hit in extra innings. The rule also excludes several examples of pitchers (or pitching staffs) for a home team who pitched 8 innings of no-hit ball, but is denied the opportunity to pitch the ninth inning due to leading after 8 1/2 innings (and thus winning the game without needing to bat in the bottom of the ninth).
This rule was instituted by MLB's Committee for Statistical Accuracy in 1991, and resulted in several pitchers who had thrown no-hitters of fewer than nine innings being stripped of credit for an official no-hitter.[3]
[edit] Records
Major League Baseball, no-hitters are rare, occurring about twice a season on
In average. 256 no-hitters have been thrown in Major League history; only 17 of those were perfect games. Multiple no-hitters have been thrown on the same day twice: Ted Breitenstein and Jim Hughes on April 22, 1898; and Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela on June 29, 1990.
The most recent no-hitter was thrown by Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs on September 14, 2008. Zambrano and the Cubs defeated the Houston Astros 5-0 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. This game was a home game for the Astros that had been moved from Houston due to Hurricane Ike. This was the first no-hitter in major league history pitched at a neutral site[4]. As pointed out on ESPN's SportsCenter, this was also the first no-hitter by a pitcher whose surname starts with the letter Z.
The pitcher who holds the record for the most no-hitters is Nolan Ryan, who threw seven in his long career and was regarded as the undisputed king of no-hitters. His first two came exactly two months apart, while he was with the California Angels: the first on May 15, 1973 and the second on July 15. He won two more with the Angels: September 28, 1974 and June 1, 1975. Ryan threw his fifth no-hitter with the Houston Astros on September 26, 1981, which broke Sandy Koufax's previous record. His sixth and seventh no-hitters came with the Texas Rangers on June 11, 1990, and May 1, 1991, respectively. When he tossed number seven at age 44, he was also the oldest pitcher to throw a no-hitter.
The pitcher who holds the record for the longest period between no-hitters is Randy Johnson, who threw a no-hitter as a member of the Seattle Mariners on June 2, 1990 and a perfect game as an Arizona Diamondback on May 18, 2004. The pitcher who holds the record for the shortest time between no-hitters is Johnny Vander Meer, who is the only pitcher in history to throw no-hitters in two consecutive starts, for the Cincinnati Reds in 1938.[5] Twenty-five men in all have thrown more than one no-hitter. Only Nolan Ryan (seven), Sandy Koufax (four), Cy Young (three), Bob Feller (three), and Larry Corcoran (three) have pitched more than two.[6] Corcoran was the first pitcher to throw a second no-hitter in a career (in 1882), as well as the first to throw a third (in 1884).
Jason Varitek has caught four no-hitters, all with the Red Sox, the most of any catcher: Hideo Nomo's in 2001, Derek Lowe's in 2002, rookie Clay Buchholz's in 2007 and Jon Lester's in 2008.[7]
[edit] Combined no-hitters
There have been nine combined no-hitters; that is, when multiple pitchers collectively throw a no-hitter during a game. The first was on June 23, 1917, when Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox relieved the starting pitcher, Babe Ruth, who had been ejected for arguing with the umpire after walking the first batter of the game. The runner at first was caught attempting to steal second base, and Shore then consecutively retired the next 26 batters without allowing any baserunners. This game was long considered a perfect game by Shore, since he recorded 27 outs in succession, but is only a combined no-hitter under current rules. The second combined no-hitter did not occur until 30 April 1967, when Stu Miller recorded the final out in relief of Steve Barber.
The first, and only, combined extra inning no-hitter to date occurred on July 12, 1997, when the Pittsburgh Pirates' Francisco Cordova (9 innings) and Ricardo Rincon (1 inning) combined to no-hit the Houston Astros, 3-0. The extra inning no-no was capped off by a three run walk-off home run by pinch hitter Mark Smith in the bottom of the tenth inning.
The Major League record for pitchers combining to pitch a no-hitter is six, set by the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees on June 11, 2003. The pitchers were Roy Oswalt (the starting pitcher), then relievers Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel, and Billy Wagner.
Only one pitcher, Mike Witt, has thrown a no-hitter as a starter, and also contributed to a no-hitter as a reliever. On September 30, 1984, Witt threw a 1-0 perfect game for the California Angels against the Texas Rangers. Then on April 11, 1990, Witt relieved Mark Langston after 7 innings, pitching the last two innings to get the save in another 1-0 win for the Angels over the Seattle Mariners.
[edit] Opening Day, title-clinching, and post-season no-hitters
The Cleveland Indians' Bob Feller left the Chicago White Sox hitless in the 1940 season opener on April 16. This remains the only official Opening Day no-hitter to date.
No-hitters have twice been thrown on the final day of the season. On September 28, 1975, four Oakland Athletics pitchers (Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad, and Rollie Fingers) tossed a combined no-hitter against the California Angels. On September 30, 1984, Mike Witt of the Angels pitched a perfect game against the Texas Rangers.
The Houston Astros' Mike Scott no-hit the San Francisco Giants on September 25, 1986, a victory that also clinched the National League West title for the Astros; this is the only such coincidence in Major League history to date.
On October 8, 1956, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees threw a perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Larsen is still the only person in Major League history to throw a no-hitter of any kind during a postseason game of any kind. The feat had nearly been accomplished nine years earlier by the Yankees' Bill Bevens, who came within one out of a no-hitter (but not a perfect game) against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series, only to lose the game on a pinch-hit double by Cookie Lavagetto. There have been other one-hitters in the World Series, with the lone hit coming earlier in the game than in Bevens' feat.
[edit] Rookie no-hitters
In all, 21 rookies have pitched a no-hitter since 1901. Two pitchers have thrown a no-hitter in their first major league starts; two others have done it in their second major league starts.[8]
Bumpus Jones of the Cincinnati Reds threw a no hitter on 15 October 1892 in his first major league game. Jones pitched only eight games in the big leagues, finishing with a career win/loss record of 2-4 and a career earned run average of 7.99.
Ted Breitenstein pitched a no-hitter in his first Major League start on October 4, 1891, however, it was not his first Major League game.[9] He later threw a second no-hitter on April 22, 1898.
On 6 May 1953, Bobo Holloman pitched a no-hitter for the St. Louis Browns in his first major league start (also not his first major league game). This game would prove to be one of only three major league wins that Holloman achieved, against seven losses, all in 1953. Bill Veeck, then-owner of the Browns, in his autobiography described the 27 outs of Holloman's no-hitter as consisting of hard-hit ground balls, screaming line drives, and deep fly balls.
On 11 August 1991, Wilson Alvarez of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter in his second career major league start. During Alvarez's first career start, he had allowed three runs on a pair of home runs and did not retire a single batter. Unlike Jones and Holloman, Alvarez went on to win 102 games over a 16-year career.
Most recently, rookie Clay Buchholz pitched a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox in his second major league start on 1 September 2007 at Fenway Park. The game ended in a 10-0 victory for the Red Sox over the Baltimore Orioles.
[edit] Shortened no-hitters
A game that cannot continue due to weather or darkness may be considered a completed official game, as long as at least five innings have been completed. Until 1991, any such game in which a pitcher held the opposing team without hits was considered an official no-hitter. There have been thirty-six games in which a no-hitter was interrupted by weather or darkness, with lengths ranging from 5 to 8 innings. These games are no longer considered no-hitters. In addition, four no-hitters did not reach the regulation nine innings simply because the pitcher was a member of the visiting team and entered the ninth inning already losing (see below).
[edit] No-hitters in a losing cause
Unlike a perfect game, in which no batters reach base, in regular no-hitters batters can reach base in other ways, such as a walk, an error, or a hit batsman. Thus it is possible to lose a no-hitter. On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt .45s became the only pitcher to lose a complete game no-hitter in nine innings when he was beaten 1-0 by Cincinnati. The winning run was scored by Pete Rose in the top of the ninth inning via an error, groundout, and another error.[10] In 1967, Steve Barber and Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles pitched a combined no-hitter, but lost 2-1 to the Detroit Tigers.[11]
Because the home team does not bat in the ninth inning when it is already leading, a visiting pitcher (or pitchers) may complete a full game without allowing a hit but not be credited with an official no-hitter because they pitched only 8 innings. This happened most recently on June 28, 2008, when Jered Weaver and José Arredondo of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim threw 8 no-hit innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, but lost the game 1-0 and are not credited with a no-hitter. This is the first near no-hitter of this kind in which more than one pitcher was involved. Previously, Silver King (1890), Andy Hawkins (1990), and Matt Young (1992) pitched complete games without allowing a hit, but pitched only 8 innings as the losing pitcher from the visiting team, and thus are not credited with a no-hitter. Young's feat was accomplished on Opening Day.[12][13]
[edit] No-hitters lost in extra innings
A game that is a no-hitter through nine innings may be lost in extra innings. Under current rules, such a game is not considered an official no-hitter because the pitcher did not keep the opponent hitless for the entire course of the game.
On May 2, 1917, a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds reached the end of nine innings in a hitless scoreless tie, the only time in baseball history that neither team has had a hit in regulation. Both Hippo Vaughn of the Cubs and Fred Toney of the Reds continued pitching into the tenth inning. Vaughn lost his no-hitter in the top of the tenth, as the Reds got two hits and scored the winning run. Toney retired the side in the bottom of the tenth and recorded a ten-inning no-hitter. This game was long considered a "double no-hitter," but Vaughn is no longer credited with a no-hitter under the current rules.
Of the thirteen potential no-hitters that have been lost in extra innings, two were perfect games. On 26 May 1959, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a remarkable twelve perfect innings before losing the no-hitter and the game to the Milwaukee Braves in the thirteenth inning. On 3 June 1995, Pedro Martínez of the Montreal Expos pitched nine perfect innings against the San Diego Padres before giving up a hit in the tenth, though he still won a 1-0 game.[14]
[edit] Teams without no-hitters
Four teams in Major League Baseball have not had a pitcher toss a no-hitter. Two of the four are recent expansion teams: the Tampa Bay Rays (1998) and the Colorado Rockies (1993). The other two are longer established teams. The San Diego Padres (1969) have gone 38 years without a no-hitter, with Steve Arlin coming the closest, losing his no-hit bid with one out to go vs. the Philadelphia Phillies on July 18, 1972.[15]
The team that has been in the league the longest without a no-hitter is the New York Mets, who began play in 1962. Mets' pitchers have thrown 33 one-hitters, and fourteen pitchers that have played for the Mets have thrown no-hitters for other teams. Nolan Ryan, traded from the Mets after the 1971 season, threw seven no-hitters with all of the three other teams he pitched for over his 27-year career. Tom Seaver threw five one-hitters with the Mets, including three that were no-hitters broken up in the 9th inning. He would finally toss his lone career no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds after being traded from the Mets on June 16, 1978. Perhaps as painful, two Mets stars during the 1980s would throw no-hitters for the cross-town New York Yankees in the twilight of their careers: Dwight (Doc) Gooden on May 14, 1996, and David Cone (a perfect game) on July 18, 1999. Hideo Nomo, who played for the Mets during the 1998 season, holds the distinction of throwing no-hitters before and after leaving the Mets, throwing no-hitters on September 17, 1996 (for the Los Angeles Dodgers) and April 4, 2001 (for the Boston Red Sox).
Of the teams that have achieved no-hitters, the longest current "drought" belongs to the San Francisco Giants. The Giants achieved two of them in 1975 and 1976, with John Montefusco having pitched the last one to date, on September 29, 1976.
[edit] Escaping no-hitters
Every modern-era team, including all the expansion teams, has suffered at least one no-hitter pitched against them. The team escaping being no-hit for the longest time was the New York Yankees, from September 20, 1958 to June 11, 2003, a span of almost 45 years. The longest current streak belongs to the Chicago Cubs, at 43-plus years, who were last victims of a no-hitter at the hand of Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, 1965.
Spacious Forbes Field in Pittsburgh went through its entire 62 seasons of use (mid 1909 - mid 1970) without a no-hitter being pitched there.
[edit] See also
* List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
* Perfect game
[edit] References
1. ^ Gmelch, George (September 2000). "Revised version of "Superstition and Ritual in American Baseball" from Elysian Fields Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 3, 1992, pp. 25-36". McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. Archived from the original on 2007-04-21.
2. ^ The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Official info: Rules, Regulations and Statistics
3. ^ Baseball Almanac - Year In Review : 1991 National League
4. ^ Zambrano masters Astros en route to first no-hitter for Cubs in 36 years
5. ^ Johnny Vander Meer's Two Consecutive No-Hitters by Baseball Almanac
6. ^ No Hitter Records by Baseball Almanac
7. ^ Jason Varitek catches spot in history books
8. ^ The Official Site of Major League Baseball: History: Rare Feats
9. ^ Gisclair, S. Derby (08-02-2004). "A No-Hitter In His First Start". baseballlibrary.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-22.
10. ^ Retrosheet Boxscore: Cincinnati Reds 1, Houston Colt .45s 0
11. ^ Retrosheet Boxscore: Detroit Tigers 2, Baltimore Orioles 1 (1)
12. ^ American League No Hitters by Baseball Almanac
13. ^ The Chronology - 1890 | BaseballLibrary.com
14. ^ June 3, 1995 Montreal Expos at San Diego Padres Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com
15. ^ July 18, 1972 Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres Play by Play and Box Score - Baseball-Reference.com
[edit] External links
The statement says:
"The rule also excludes several examples of pitchers (or pitching staffs) for a home team who pitched 8 innings of no-hit ball"
Granted in this situation the game doesn't go 9 innings, but the home pitcher pitched NINE innings of no-hit ball.
So every no-hit game ever was pitched by the visiting team (assuming the team won)?
"The rule also excludes several examples of pitchers (or pitching staffs) for a home team who pitched 8 innings of no-hit ball"
Granted in this situation the game doesn't go 9 innings, but the home pitcher pitched NINE innings of no-hit ball.
So every no-hit game ever was pitched by the visiting team (assuming the team won)?
