There has been more than a few no-hitters accomplished by APBA replayers during these cold months.
First, Mel M writes:
Hi Tom. June 27, Denny McLain just pitched the fifth no hitter of my 1967 MG replay, defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-0. The only base runners were Larry Brown, who reached on an error in the third inning and Lee Maye who walked in the seventh. McLain walked one and struck out 3. The final out was made from the bases empty rare play board as Vic Davalillo hit a nubber out in front of home plate, Bill Freehan pounced on it and fired down to first for the final out. Norm Cash hit a three run HR (8) in the first inning and Willie Horton added a two run HR (12) in the seventh.
McLain’s gem is the second no-hitter for the Tigers this month. Earl Wilson no-hit the Yankees in the first game of a June 4 double header and it’s the fourth AL no-hitter in the month of June.
Jim Lonborg no-hit the Twins on June 1st and Phil Ortega no-hit the Yankees on June 14th. Fergie Jenkins threw the only NL no-hitter on May 25th vs the Reds.
There were two one-hitters thrown on June 26th. LA’s Don Drysdale one hit the Reds, no suspense in this one as Tony Perez led off the 2nd with a single. The Angels Jim McGlothlin pitched 7 2/3 no-hit innings, but Tim Cullen broke it up with a single (DR-33-7). I also opened the 1971 season, Oakland at Washington, Vida Blue went 7 1/3 hitless before Paul Casanova got a second column single for the only Senators hit. So it seemed that another no-hitter was inevitable.McLain is a MG-8 YZ and advanced to 20. There were four hit numbers converted to outs.
What makes this interesting is that Mel isn’t the only APBA player that Earl Wilson pitched a no-hitter. I posted this last week on Facebook but Wilson did the same for Garret Fitzgerald. Here’s the kicker… not only was it a no-hitter but it was a perfect game!
Here’s the box score from Garret:
Garret is also replaying the 1967 season and Wilson’s perfect game was against the Cleveland Indians. Garret says that Wilson followed that perfect game up with ANOTHER no-hitter against Boston. Wow!
Way to go guys! Keep on (not) rolling the dice! :)
