Major League Baseball continues its financial tug of war between billionaires and millionaires over when and if fans will hear “Play Ball.”
There are millions of fingers to be pointed by baseball fans from coast to coast at easy targets. MLB seems to be tone deaf to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the social revolution occurring on the streets of every city in the country.
When I thought about the title for this piece, somehow the world of
No-Hitters
popped into my mind.
I definitely have too much time on my hands these days so here is my take on
No-Hitter Major League Baseball Jeopardy.
It could be that every single game in the 2020 baseball season might be a no-hitter.
If you know the answer to every question, you win immediate enshrinement in the
Ultimate Sports Guide Hall of Fame.
Number of no-hitters in MLB history (doesn’t include combined efforts)
303
Number of no-hitters in the last 50 years?
116
Number of no-hitters pitched by a hurler who was on LSD?
One -- Dock Ellis of the Pirates on 6/12/70
Longest and shortest last name of a pitcher who threw a no-hitter?
Bill Monbouquette, Charlie Lea
Which team has been no-hit the most?
Phillies and Dodgers, 19 each
Which team has never had a pitcher throw a no-hitter?
San Diego Padres
What letters of the alphabet are missing for hurlers' last names who threw no-hitters?
“
Q” and “X” (Actually you could add “U” -- I threw in a first name with Ubaldo Jimenez)
Name the brothers who have pitched no-hitters?
Bob and Ken Forsch
MLB no-hitters in which the winning pitcher had two or more hits since 1970
Jake Arieta 2-4,
Chicago 16, Cincinnati. 0; 4/26/2016
Chris Heston, 2-4,
San Francisco 5, New York Mets 0; 6/9/2015
Jordan Zimmerman
,
2-3,
Washington 1, Miami 0; 9/28/2014
Tim Lincecum
,
2-3,
San Francisco 4, San Diego 0; 6/25/2014
Francisco Cordova, 2-3
, Pittsburgh 3, Houston 0; 7/12/1997
Rick Wise, 2-4
, Philadelphia 4, Cincinnati 0; 6/23/1971
How many base hits did Nolan Ryan have in his seven no-hitters?
One, 9/26/1981. Houston 5, Dodgers 0. Ryan was 1 for 2
Pitchers who have thrown no-hitters since 1970 whose last names end in Z
Aaron Sanchez, Edinson Volquez, Henderson Alvarez, Felix Hernandez, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jonathan Sanchez, Clay Buchholz, Anabel Sanchez, Jose Jimenez, Ramon Martinez
Coolest first names of no-hit tossers
Adonis, Cannonball, Noodles, Big, Dazzy, Ewell, Bobo, Catfish, Vida, Blue Moon and Homer
Since the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants came to town, which team has had the most no-hitters?
Giants 9; A’s 7
The most recent AL no-hitter
Justin Verlander on 9/1/19; Houston 2, Toronto 0
The most recent NL no-hitter
Edinson Volquez on 6/3/17; Miami 3, Arizona 0
Will we see a no-hitter this MLB season? Send an email to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for the latest information: rob.manfred@mlb.com
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Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is COO of the Fan Controlled Football League (FCFL) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies.
Dolich is also co-author of the new book: