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The Best Pitchers Who Never Threw A No-Hitter
The no-hitter remains one of the rarest feats in Major League Baseball as only 237 complete game no-hitters have been hurled since 1901 (roughly 1.5 no-hitters per year). Let’s examine a group of pitchers who have never twirled a no-no despite possessing excellent hits-to-innings pitched ratios. The register includes pitchers with Hall of Fame credentials, several aces who flirted with no-hitters or perfect games along with an eclectic mix of wild flamethrowers and journeymen junkballers.
I will also comment on the “worst” pitchers to deliver at least one no-hitter in their career (“worst” being a relative term, based on a poor hits-to-innings pitched ratio). Additional leader boards consist of the no-hit club with less than 1000 innings pitched and the “best” pitchers to fashion one or more no-hitters.
I truncated the “best pitchers” list at the .900 H/IP mark (with a few exceptions). I have posted the complete spreadsheet
here.
Methodology
I extracted the 1901 through 2015 pitcher data from the Lahman Database using R Studio and exported the results to Excel. I added a column to calculate hits allowed per innings pitched (HIP) and sorted the results in ascending order. The results are restricted to pitchers with more than 1000 innings pitched in their career and more games started than relief appearances.
Best Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with Zero No-Hitters
(minimum 1000 IP, 50%+ Games Started / Games)
Sid Fernandez fashioned a .761 H/IP ratio during his career, ranking fourth on the All-Time list behind Nolan Ryan (.728), Clayton Kershaw (.744) and Sandy Koufax (.755). “El Sid” registered a
16-strikeout performance in a 3-2 loss to Atlanta on 7/14/1989 along with five 2-hit games.
J.R. Richard led the National League with 300+ strikeouts in consecutive campaigns (1978-79), whiffing 15 batters in a game three times over the course of his career. Richard spun a
one-hitter on 4/19/1980 as Reggie Smith reached on an infield single with two outs in the fourth inning.
Four-time All-Star
Andy Messersmith paced the Senior Circuit with 20 victories and a 1.098 WHIP, earning a runner-up finish in the 1974 NL Cy Young Award balloting. “Bluto” furnished personal-bests in ERA (2.29), games (42), games started (40), complete games (19) and innings pitched (321.2) while exceeding the 200-strikeout mark for the third time in his career during the subsequent season. Expos center fielder Pepe Mangual spoiled Messersmith’s no-hit bid on
6/4/1976 with a one-out single in the ninth frame.
Sam McDowell mesmerized opposing batters throughout a six-year stretch from 1965-1970 as he registered at least 225 strikeouts per year. “Sudden Sam” whiffed a career-best 325 batsmen and claimed the ERA title with a 2.18 mark in 1965. He compiled four one-hit games in his career including back-to-back masterpieces in 1966 on
April 25 (vs. the Kansas City Athletics) and
May 1 (vs. the Chicago White Sox).
Pedro J. Martinez took a perfect game into the tenth inning against San Diego on
6/3/1995. The Expos tallied a run in the top of the tenth, but the Padres’ left fielder Bip Roberts doubled to start the bottom of the frame. Mel Rojas relieved Martinez and preserved the shutout. In addition to his perfect game bid, “Petey” notched three one-hit games in his career including a 17-strikeout performance against the Yankees on
9/10/1999.
Babe Ruth led the Junior Circuit with a 1.75 ERA in 1916 and eclipsed the 20-win mark in back-to-back campaigns (1916-17). The “Bambino” held Detroit to a lone safety by shortstop Donie Bush on
7/11/1917. Ruth compiled a 2.28 ERA and a 1.159 WHIP to complement his 94-46 record.
Of
Bob Turley’s four one-hitters, his elite performance on
July 4, 1959 in the second game of a double-dip against the Senators stands as his greatest achievement. Julio Becquer spoiled the no-hit bid with a single to left field leading off the ninth inning, but “Bullet Bob” induced a fly out and a double-play grounder back to the mound to secure the victory.
Dave Boswell amassed 20 wins for Minnesota in 1969, but his shining moment occurred three years prior. Facing the Orioles on
July 30, 1966, Boswell entered the seventh inning with a no-hitter intact. Baltimore center fielder Russ Snyder led off the frame with a single to left. Boswell finished the game with 11 whiffs, three short of his career-high.
Mario Soto recorded 274 strikeouts and paced the National League with a 1.060 WHIP in ’82. He finished runner-up in the 1983 NL Cy Young balloting and registered an 18-7 mark in the subsequent season. Soto logged one-hitters against Atlanta in
October 1981 and St. Louis in
May 1984. “Silent” George Hendrick slammed a four-bagger with two outs in the ninth inning, spoiling Soto’s no-hit bid and knotting the score at one apiece. Cincinnati backstop Brad Gulden responded with a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame off Bruce Sutter.
Jose DeLeon carried a no-no into the seventh inning of a contest on
8/24/1984 vs. Cincinnati. Dave “Cobra” Parker’s base knock with two runners aboard tallied the go-ahead run for the Reds. The Bucs lost the game, 2-0, one of 19 losses for DeLeon during the ’84 season. The right-hander rebounded to record consecutive campaigns with 200+ strikeouts (1988-89).
Stretching the term “effectively wild” to the breaking point,
Tommy Byrne compiled a winning record (85-69) in the big leagues despite accruing more walks than strikeouts in every season that he pitched at least 50 innings. In a 12-0 whitewashing of Detroit on
6/23/1949, Byrne twirled a complete game shutout while allowing six bases on balls. Shortstop Johnny Lipon provided the lone hit for the Tigers with an eighth-inning single.
Roger Clemens registered 13 two-hitters in his career, but never held the opposition hitless. The “Rocket” managed a lone one-hitter during the regular season against Cleveland on
9/10/1988. Dave Clark spoiled Clemens’ no-hit bid with a single to center field in the top half of the eighth inning. In the 2000 ALCS, Clemens dominated the Mariners in
Game 4 at Seattle, striking out 15 and yielding a double to Al Martin to begin the seventh frame.
Larry Cheney led the National League with a 26-10 record in 1912 and notched 20+ victories in three successive seasons (1912-14). During the summer of 1914, Cheney twice held the opposition to a single safety. Shortstop Marty Berghammer collected the lone base knock for the Reds on
7/1/1914. Braves’ backstop Hank Gowdy produced the only hit in a 1-0 loss to Cheney and the Cubs on
8/26/1914.
Al Downing fashioned a 13-5 record in his rookie season (1963) for the New York Yankees. Facing the White Sox on
7/2/1963, Downing allowed a single to Cam Carreon with two down in the seventh inning. The southpaw posted a 20-9 record for the Dodgers in 1971 and placed third in the NL Cy Young Award balloting.
Knuckleballer
Charlie Hough held the opposing team to one hit twice in his career and he lost both contests. On
6/16/1986 the Rangers led the Angels 1-0 heading to the bottom of the ninth. With one out, George Wright, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement in left field, committed a three-base error on a ball hit by Jack Howell. Wally Joyner singled to break up the no-hitter, scoring Howell. Joyner advanced to second on a passed ball. Doug DeCinces whiffed and an intentional walk to Reggie Jackson set the stage for George Hendrick. On a 3-2 pitch, Hendrick swung and missed but the ball eluded catcher Orlando Mercado. Joyner scored from second base as Hough failed to cover home plate!
Mike Norris (22-9, 2.53) placed runner-up for the 1980 AL Cy Young Award and merited consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 1980-81. Opposing the Orioles on
5/9/1979, Norris held Baltimore hitless through 6.1 innings. With two runners aboard via error and base on balls, Gary Roenicke spoiled Norris’ no-hit bid with a double that knocked in both baserunners and knotted the score at 2-2. The Athletics argued the call at home plate, to no avail. Oakland scored twice in the ninth inning to prevail, 4-2.
Pitcher |
W |
L |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
ERA |
WHIP |
HIP |
0H |
1H |
2H |
Sid Fernandez |
114 |
96 |
307 |
300 |
1866.7 |
1421 |
3.36 |
1.144 |
0.761 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
J.R. Richard |
107 |
71 |
238 |
221 |
1606.0 |
1227 |
3.15 |
1.243 |
0.764 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
Andy Messersmith |
130 |
99 |
344 |
295 |
2230.3 |
1719 |
2.86 |
1.143 |
0.771 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
Sam McDowell |
141 |
134 |
425 |
346 |
2492.3 |
1948 |
3.17 |
1.308 |
0.782 |
0 |
4 |
10 |
Pedro J. Martinez |
219 |
100 |
476 |
409 |
2827.3 |
2221 |
2.93 |
1.054 |
0.786 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
Babe Ruth |
94 |
46 |
163 |
148 |
1221.3 |
974 |
2.28 |
1.159 |
0.797 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
Bob Turley |
101 |
85 |
310 |
237 |
1712.7 |
1366 |
3.64 |
1.421 |
0.798 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
Orval Overall |
108 |
71 |
218 |
182 |
1535.3 |
1232 |
2.23 |
1.161 |
0.802 |
0 |
– |
– |
Ed Reulbach |
182 |
106 |
399 |
300 |
2632.3 |
2117 |
2.28 |
1.143 |
0.804 |
0 |
– |
– |
Dave Boswell |
68 |
56 |
205 |
151 |
1065.3 |
858 |
3.52 |
1.257 |
0.805 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Mario Soto |
100 |
92 |
297 |
224 |
1730.3 |
1395 |
3.47 |
1.186 |
0.806 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
Jack Pfiester |
71 |
44 |
149 |
128 |
1067.3 |
869 |
2.02 |
1.089 |
0.814 |
0 |
– |
– |
Cy H. Morgan |
78 |
78 |
210 |
172 |
1445.3 |
1180 |
2.51 |
1.216 |
0.816 |
0 |
– |
– |
Jose DeLeon |
86 |
119 |
415 |
264 |
1897.3 |
1556 |
3.76 |
1.263 |
0.820 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Rube Waddell |
178 |
127 |
366 |
308 |
2659.7 |
2198 |
2.11 |
1.100 |
0.826 |
0 |
– |
– |
Chris R. Young |
76 |
58 |
223 |
206 |
1179.0 |
979 |
3.69 |
1.208 |
0.830 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Jake Weimer |
97 |
69 |
191 |
180 |
1472.7 |
1227 |
2.23 |
1.168 |
0.833 |
0 |
– |
– |
Tommy Byrne |
85 |
69 |
281 |
170 |
1362.0 |
1138 |
4.11 |
1.597 |
0.836 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
Fred Beebe |
62 |
83 |
202 |
153 |
1294.3 |
1090 |
2.86 |
1.255 |
0.842 |
0 |
– |
– |
Doc Scanlan |
65 |
71 |
181 |
149 |
1252.0 |
1061 |
3.00 |
1.333 |
0.847 |
0 |
– |
– |
Roger Clemens |
354 |
184 |
709 |
707 |
4916.7 |
4185 |
3.12 |
1.173 |
0.851 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
Larry Cheney |
116 |
100 |
313 |
225 |
1881.3 |
1605 |
2.70 |
1.243 |
0.853 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Mordecai Brown |
239 |
130 |
481 |
332 |
3172.3 |
2708 |
2.06 |
1.066 |
0.854 |
0 |
– |
– |
Carl Lundgren |
91 |
55 |
179 |
149 |
1322.0 |
1129 |
2.42 |
1.214 |
0.854 |
0 |
– |
– |
Harry Coveleski |
81 |
55 |
198 |
151 |
1248.0 |
1070 |
2.39 |
1.159 |
0.857 |
0 |
– |
– |
Al Downing |
123 |
107 |
405 |
317 |
2268.3 |
1946 |
3.22 |
1.269 |
0.858 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
Jim Scott |
107 |
113 |
317 |
226 |
1892.0 |
1624 |
2.30 |
1.180 |
0.858 |
0 |
– |
– |
Charlie Hough |
216 |
216 |
858 |
440 |
3801.3 |
3283 |
3.75 |
1.302 |
0.864 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
Mike Norris |
58 |
59 |
201 |
157 |
1124.3 |
972 |
3.89 |
1.308 |
0.865 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Don Gullett |
109 |
50 |
266 |
186 |
1390.0 |
1205 |
3.11 |
1.227 |
0.867 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Bernie Boland |
68 |
53 |
209 |
119 |
1062.0 |
925 |
3.25 |
1.278 |
0.871 |
|
|
|
Barney Pelty |
92 |
117 |
266 |
217 |
1908.0 |
1663 |
2.63 |
1.150 |
0.872 |
|
|
|
Whitey Ford |
236 |
106 |
498 |
438 |
3170.3 |
2766 |
2.75 |
1.215 |
0.872 |
|
|
|
Denny McLain |
131 |
91 |
280 |
264 |
1886.0 |
1646 |
3.39 |
1.163 |
0.873 |
|
|
|
Reb Russell |
81 |
59 |
242 |
148 |
1291.7 |
1128 |
2.33 |
1.080 |
0.873 |
|
|
|
Bob Veale |
120 |
95 |
397 |
255 |
1926.0 |
1684 |
3.07 |
1.320 |
0.874 |
|
|
|
David Price |
104 |
56 |
218 |
213 |
1441.7 |
1261 |
3.09 |
1.132 |
0.875 |
|
|
|
Lew Richie |
74 |
65 |
241 |
136 |
1359.3 |
1190 |
2.54 |
1.240 |
0.875 |
|
|
|
Harry Harper |
57 |
76 |
219 |
171 |
1256.0 |
1100 |
2.87 |
1.339 |
0.876 |
|
|
|
Bill Donovan |
183 |
129 |
351 |
314 |
2820.7 |
2472 |
2.58 |
1.216 |
0.876 |
|
|
|
Jack Harshman |
69 |
65 |
217 |
155 |
1169.3 |
1025 |
3.50 |
1.338 |
0.877 |
|
|
|
George McQuillan |
85 |
89 |
273 |
173 |
1576.3 |
1382 |
2.38 |
1.131 |
0.877 |
|
|
|
Jack Coombs |
158 |
110 |
354 |
270 |
2320.0 |
2034 |
2.78 |
1.239 |
0.877 |
|
|
|
Al Mamaux |
76 |
67 |
254 |
140 |
1293.0 |
1138 |
2.90 |
1.275 |
0.880 |
|
|
|
Eddie Plank |
326 |
194 |
623 |
529 |
4495.7 |
3958 |
2.35 |
1.119 |
0.880 |
|
|
|
Mickey McDermott |
69 |
69 |
291 |
156 |
1316.7 |
1161 |
3.91 |
1.518 |
0.882 |
|
|
|
Luis Tiant |
229 |
172 |
573 |
484 |
3486.3 |
3075 |
3.30 |
1.199 |
0.882 |
|
|
|
Madison Bumgarner |
85 |
58 |
183 |
180 |
1171.0 |
1033 |
3.04 |
1.111 |
0.882 |
|
|
|
Rudy May |
152 |
156 |
535 |
360 |
2622.0 |
2314 |
3.46 |
1.248 |
0.883 |
|
|
|
Ray Culp |
122 |
101 |
322 |
268 |
1898.3 |
1677 |
3.58 |
1.280 |
0.883 |
|
|
|
John Smoltz |
213 |
155 |
723 |
481 |
3473.0 |
3074 |
3.33 |
1.176 |
0.885 |
|
|
|
Jake Peavy |
147 |
117 |
357 |
356 |
2258.3 |
2000 |
3.53 |
1.183 |
0.886 |
|
|
|
Fred Glade |
52 |
68 |
132 |
126 |
1072.7 |
950 |
2.62 |
1.107 |
0.886 |
|
|
|
Howie Camnitz |
133 |
106 |
326 |
236 |
2085.3 |
1852 |
2.75 |
1.203 |
0.888 |
|
|
|
Don Sutton |
324 |
256 |
774 |
756 |
5282.3 |
4692 |
3.26 |
1.142 |
0.888 |
|
|
|
Juan Pizarro |
131 |
105 |
488 |
245 |
2034.3 |
1807 |
3.43 |
1.325 |
0.888 |
|
|
|
Mat Latos |
64 |
55 |
177 |
174 |
1068.3 |
949 |
3.51 |
1.183 |
0.888 |
|
|
|
Johnny Niggeling |
64 |
69 |
184 |
161 |
1250.7 |
1111 |
3.22 |
1.301 |
0.888 |
|
|
|
Gio Gonzalez |
91 |
66 |
217 |
211 |
1264.7 |
1124 |
3.62 |
1.317 |
0.889 |
|
|
|
Ferdie Schupp |
61 |
39 |
216 |
120 |
1054.0 |
938 |
3.32 |
1.330 |
0.890 |
|
|
|
Vean Gregg |
92 |
63 |
239 |
161 |
1393.0 |
1240 |
2.70 |
1.286 |
0.890 |
|
|
|
Earl Moore |
162 |
154 |
388 |
326 |
2776.0 |
2474 |
2.78 |
1.290 |
0.891 |
|
|
|
Jack Chesbro |
177 |
110 |
341 |
289 |
2532.0 |
2257 |
2.52 |
1.109 |
0.891 |
|
|
|
Lefty Tyler |
127 |
116 |
323 |
265 |
2230.0 |
1990 |
2.95 |
1.264 |
0.892 |
|
|
|
Phil Marchildon |
68 |
75 |
185 |
162 |
1214.3 |
1084 |
3.93 |
1.456 |
0.893 |
|
|
|
Johnny Cueto |
96 |
70 |
226 |
226 |
1420.3 |
1268 |
3.30 |
1.181 |
0.893 |
|
|
|
Jean Dubuc |
85 |
76 |
256 |
150 |
1444.3 |
1290 |
3.04 |
1.293 |
0.893 |
|
|
|
Hal Newhouser |
207 |
150 |
488 |
374 |
2993.0 |
2674 |
3.06 |
1.311 |
0.893 |
|
|
|
Spud Chandler |
109 |
43 |
211 |
184 |
1485.0 |
1327 |
2.84 |
1.205 |
0.894 |
|
|
|
Claude Hendrix |
144 |
116 |
360 |
257 |
2371.3 |
2123 |
2.65 |
1.189 |
0.895 |
|
|
|
Steve Carlton |
329 |
244 |
741 |
709 |
5217.3 |
4672 |
3.22 |
1.247 |
0.895 |
|
|
|
Willie Mitchell |
84 |
92 |
276 |
190 |
1632.0 |
1464 |
2.88 |
1.268 |
0.897 |
|
|
|
Orlando Hernandez |
90 |
65 |
219 |
211 |
1314.7 |
1181 |
4.13 |
1.263 |
0.898 |
|
|
|
Don Drysdale |
209 |
166 |
518 |
465 |
3432.0 |
3084 |
2.95 |
1.148 |
0.899 |
|
|
|
Gary Nolan |
110 |
70 |
250 |
247 |
1674.7 |
1505 |
3.08 |
1.145 |
0.899 |
|
|
|
Wally Bunker |
60 |
52 |
206 |
152 |
1085.3 |
976 |
3.51 |
1.207 |
0.899 |
|
|
|
** Special Case ** (200+ Career Wins, 1000+ IP, H/IP < 1, Zero No-Hitters)
381 pitchers including several All-Time greats possess a H/IP ratio between .900 – 1.000. The truncated list below highlights those who collected at least 200 victories and pitched 1000+ innings in their careers without throwing at least one complete game no-hitter.
Pitcher |
W |
L |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
ERA |
WHIP |
HIP |
0H |
1H |
2H |
Billy Pierce |
211 |
169 |
585 |
432 |
3306.7 |
2989 |
3.27 |
1.260 |
0.904 |
|
|
|
Curt Schilling |
216 |
146 |
569 |
436 |
3261.0 |
2998 |
3.46 |
1.137 |
0.919 |
|
|
|
Fergie Jenkins |
284 |
226 |
664 |
594 |
4500.7 |
4142 |
3.34 |
1.142 |
0.920 |
|
|
|
Mickey Lolich |
217 |
191 |
586 |
496 |
3638.3 |
3366 |
3.44 |
1.227 |
0.925 |
|
|
|
Bob Welch |
211 |
146 |
506 |
462 |
3092.0 |
2894 |
3.47 |
1.270 |
0.936 |
|
|
|
Pete Alexander |
373 |
208 |
696 |
599 |
5190.0 |
4868 |
2.56 |
1.121 |
0.938 |
|
|
|
Orel Hershiser |
204 |
150 |
510 |
466 |
3130.3 |
2939 |
3.48 |
1.261 |
0.939 |
|
|
|
Early Wynn |
300 |
244 |
691 |
612 |
4564.0 |
4291 |
3.54 |
1.329 |
0.940 |
|
|
|
Greg Maddux |
355 |
227 |
744 |
740 |
5008.3 |
4726 |
3.16 |
1.143 |
0.944 |
|
|
|
Tim Hudson |
222 |
133 |
482 |
479 |
3126.7 |
2957 |
3.49 |
1.239 |
0.946 |
|
|
|
Jerry Koosman |
222 |
209 |
612 |
527 |
3839.3 |
3635 |
3.36 |
1.259 |
0.947 |
|
|
|
C.C. Sabathia |
214 |
129 |
452 |
452 |
2988.7 |
2831 |
3.69 |
1.246 |
0.947 |
|
|
|
Jim Perry |
215 |
174 |
630 |
447 |
3285.7 |
3127 |
3.45 |
1.255 |
0.952 |
|
|
|
Chuck Finley |
200 |
173 |
524 |
467 |
3197.3 |
3069 |
3.85 |
1.376 |
0.960 |
|
|
|
Carl Mays |
207 |
126 |
490 |
325 |
3021.3 |
2912 |
2.92 |
1.207 |
0.964 |
|
|
|
Joe Niekro |
221 |
204 |
702 |
500 |
3584.0 |
3466 |
3.59 |
1.319 |
0.967 |
|
|
|
Frank Tanana |
240 |
236 |
638 |
616 |
4188.3 |
4063 |
3.66 |
1.270 |
0.970 |
|
|
|
Mike Mussina |
270 |
153 |
537 |
536 |
3562.7 |
3460 |
3.68 |
1.192 |
0.971 |
|
|
|
Tom Glavine |
305 |
203 |
682 |
682 |
4413.3 |
4298 |
3.54 |
1.314 |
0.974 |
|
|
|
Lefty Grove |
300 |
141 |
616 |
457 |
3940.7 |
3849 |
3.06 |
1.278 |
0.977 |
|
|
|
Tim Wakefield |
200 |
180 |
627 |
463 |
3226.3 |
3152 |
4.41 |
1.350 |
0.977 |
|
|
|
Robin Roberts |
286 |
245 |
676 |
609 |
4688.7 |
4582 |
3.41 |
1.170 |
0.977 |
|
|
|
Wilbur Cooper |
216 |
178 |
517 |
408 |
3480.0 |
3415 |
2.89 |
1.226 |
0.981 |
|
|
|
Red Ruffing |
273 |
225 |
624 |
536 |
4344.0 |
4284 |
3.80 |
1.341 |
0.986 |
|
|
|
Stan Coveleski |
215 |
142 |
450 |
385 |
3082.0 |
3055 |
2.89 |
1.251 |
0.991 |
|
|
|
** Special Case ** (less than 50% games started, career)
Pitcher |
W |
L |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
ERA |
WHIP |
HIP |
0H |
1H |
2H |
Kerry Wood |
86 |
75 |
446 |
178 |
1380.0 |
1083 |
3.67 |
1.267 |
0.785 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
Worst Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with One or More No-Hitters
(minimum 1000 IP)
The top nine members in the subsequent table compiled a career WHIP above 1.340.
Charlie Robertson amassed a 49-80 record with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.518 WHIP during parts of eight seasons, primarily for the White Sox. Yet for one brief moment he achieved perfection, on
April 30, 1922 at Navin Field. Confronting a Detroit lineup which featured Ty Cobb (.401/4/99), Bobby Veach (.327/9/126) and Harry Heilmann (.356/21/92), Robertson captivated the Tigers’ batsmen en route to a perfect game.
Terry Mulholland notched a career-high 16 victories in 1991 and earned All-Star status two years later for the Phillies. His career totals (124-142, 4.41) are rather pedestrian but he was hitting on all cylinders during a Giants-Phillies matchup at Veterans Stadium on
August 15, 1990. The San Francisco batting order, highlighted by 3-4-5 hitters Will “The Thrill” Clark (.295/19/95), Kevin “World” Mitchell (.290/35/93) and Matt D. Williams (.277/33/122) was baffled by the portsider’s array of pitches. Mulholland lost his perfect game bid when Rick Parker reached base on Charlie Hayes’ error to start the seventh inning, but he secured the no-hitter when pinch-hitter Gary Carter lined out to Hayes to end the game.
Scott Erickson (20-8, 3.18) and
Jim Abbott (18-11, 2.89) finished second and third, respectively, in the 1991 AL Cy Young Award race. Erickson received his lone All-Star nod in the same season. Two years later he posted League-worsts with 19 losses and 266 base hits allowed. On
April 27, 1994 Erickson fashioned a no-hitter against Greg Vaughn (.244/27/98) and the Milwaukee Brewers. Abbott squared off against a formidable Indians squad on
September 4, 1993. The Tribe lineup included Kenny Lofton (.325, 70 SB), Carlos Baerga (.321/21/114), Albert Belle (.290/38/129) along with talented prospects Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome. The southpaw issued five walks but induced 15 ground outs to secure the no-hitter.
Wes Ferrell registered 20 or more victories in a season six times. He also granted 100+ bases on balls in seven campaigns and delivered a 4.04 ERA and a 1.481 WHIP for his career. Opposing Goose Goslin (.328/24/105), his brother Rick and the Browns on
April 29, 1931, Ferrell composed his finest outing as he whitewashed St. Louis 9-0. Three-time twenty-game winner
Ted Lyons contained a pedestrian Red Sox offense on
August 21, 1926 at Fenway Park. Fellow Hall of Fame hurler
Jesse “Pop” Haines executed his no-hitter under comparable conditions against the Braves on
July 17, 1924.
Following a 21-9 record in his sophomore year (albeit with a 4.63 ERA and 1.564 WHIP)
Vern Kennedy recorded five consecutive seasons with an ERA above 5.00 and a cumulative WHIP of 1.712! He maintained his starting role despite yielding 549 walks while striking out only 329 batsmen during that timeframe. Towards the tail end of his inaugural campaign on
August 31, 1935, Kennedy perplexed an Indians’ lineup comprised of Hall of Fame outfielder Earl Averill, Joe Vosmik (.348/10/110) and Hal Trosky (.271/26/113).
The lone active pitcher on the list below,
Edwin Jackson received an All-Star invitation in 2009 when he registered a 13-9 mark with a 3.62 ERA. His career statistics entering the 2016 season are unexceptional, including a 4.58 ERA and 1.448 WHIP to accompany an 88-107 record. Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks on
June 25, 2010, Jackson conceded eight free passes to the Rays while holding them hitless.
Mark Buehrle was nearly perfect on
April 18, 2007 versus Texas. Rangers DH Sammy Sosa drew a one-out walk in the fifth inning, but Buehrle promptly picked him off. Two years later, he notched a perfecto against the Rays on
July 23, 2009. Tampa Bay’s lineup consisted of All-Stars Carl Crawford (.305/15/68), Evan Longoria (.281/33/113) and Ben Zobrist (.297/27/91).
Eric Milton held the Angels hitless on
September 11, 1999, conceding the fact that the Halos lineup was littered with recent minor league call-ups.
Bill Dietrich persevered through 16 Major League seasons despite a 4.48 ERA and 1.501 WHIP for his career. “Bullfrog” twirled his no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns on
June 1, 1937, allowing three baserunners (two bases on balls in the sixth inning and Beau Bell reached on an error in the seventh frame).
Dick Fowler compiled a winning record in three consecutive seasons (1947-49) for the Philadelphia Athletics even though he recorded more than 100 walks to strikeouts (276-168) during that timeframe. Fowler fashioned a 1-0 no-hitter versus Vern Stephens (.289/24/89) and the Browns in the second game of a doubleheader on
September 9, 1945.
Pitcher |
W |
L |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
ERA |
WHIP |
HIP |
0H |
Charlie Robertson |
49 |
80 |
166 |
142 |
1005.0 |
1149 |
4.44 |
1.518 |
1.143 |
1 |
Terry Mulholland |
124 |
142 |
685 |
332 |
2575.7 |
2833 |
4.41 |
1.364 |
1.100 |
1 |
Scott Erickson |
142 |
136 |
389 |
364 |
2360.7 |
2586 |
4.59 |
1.462 |
1.095 |
1 |
Wes Ferrell |
193 |
128 |
374 |
323 |
2623.0 |
2845 |
4.04 |
1.481 |
1.085 |
1 |
Ted Lyons |
260 |
230 |
594 |
484 |
4161.0 |
4489 |
3.67 |
1.348 |
1.079 |
1 |
Jesse Haines |
210 |
158 |
555 |
388 |
3208.7 |
3460 |
3.64 |
1.350 |
1.078 |
1 |
Vern Kennedy |
104 |
132 |
344 |
263 |
2025.7 |
2173 |
4.67 |
1.591 |
1.073 |
1 |
Jim Abbott |
87 |
108 |
263 |
254 |
1674.0 |
1779 |
4.25 |
1.433 |
1.063 |
1 |
Edwin Jackson |
88 |
107 |
340 |
262 |
1640.3 |
1736 |
4.58 |
1.448 |
1.058 |
1 |
Mark Buehrle |
214 |
160 |
518 |
493 |
3283.3 |
3472 |
3.81 |
1.281 |
1.057 |
2 |
David Wells |
239 |
157 |
660 |
489 |
3439.0 |
3635 |
4.13 |
1.266 |
1.057 |
1 |
Bill Dietrich |
108 |
128 |
366 |
253 |
2003.7 |
2117 |
4.48 |
1.501 |
1.057 |
1 |
Eric Milton |
89 |
85 |
271 |
270 |
1582.3 |
1665 |
4.99 |
1.339 |
1.052 |
1 |
Sam Jones |
229 |
217 |
647 |
487 |
3883.0 |
4084 |
3.84 |
1.411 |
1.052 |
1 |
Dick Fowler |
66 |
79 |
221 |
170 |
1303.0 |
1367 |
4.11 |
1.493 |
1.049 |
1 |
Kenny Rogers |
219 |
156 |
762 |
474 |
3302.7 |
3457 |
4.27 |
1.403 |
1.047 |
1 |
Jesse Barnes |
152 |
150 |
422 |
314 |
2569.7 |
2686 |
3.22 |
1.246 |
1.045 |
1 |
Lew Burdette |
203 |
144 |
626 |
373 |
3067.3 |
3186 |
3.66 |
1.243 |
1.039 |
1 |
George Mogridge |
132 |
131 |
398 |
261 |
2265.7 |
2352 |
3.21 |
1.287 |
1.038 |
1 |
Derek Lowe |
176 |
157 |
681 |
377 |
2671.3 |
2759 |
4.03 |
1.330 |
1.033 |
1 |
Rick Wise |
188 |
181 |
506 |
455 |
3127.0 |
3227 |
3.69 |
1.289 |
1.032 |
1 |
Clyde Shoun |
73 |
59 |
454 |
85 |
1287.0 |
1325 |
3.91 |
1.343 |
1.030 |
1 |
Chris Bosio |
94 |
93 |
309 |
246 |
1710.0 |
1742 |
3.96 |
1.300 |
1.019 |
1 |
Howard Ehmke |
166 |
166 |
427 |
339 |
2820.7 |
2873 |
3.75 |
1.388 |
1.019 |
1 |
Kevin Millwood |
169 |
152 |
451 |
443 |
2720.3 |
2770 |
4.11 |
1.328 |
1.018 |
1 |
Jerry Reuss |
220 |
191 |
628 |
547 |
3669.7 |
3734 |
3.64 |
1.325 |
1.018 |
1 |
Bill Monbouquette |
114 |
112 |
343 |
263 |
1961.7 |
1995 |
3.68 |
1.253 |
1.017 |
1 |
Jack Kralick |
67 |
65 |
235 |
169 |
1218.0 |
1238 |
3.56 |
1.278 |
1.016 |
1 |
Jim Tobin |
105 |
112 |
287 |
227 |
1900.0 |
1929 |
3.44 |
1.308 |
1.015 |
1 |
Tex Carleton |
100 |
76 |
293 |
202 |
1607.3 |
1630 |
3.91 |
1.363 |
1.014 |
1 |
Jim Colborn |
83 |
88 |
301 |
204 |
1597.3 |
1619 |
3.80 |
1.311 |
1.014 |
1 |
Kevin Gross |
142 |
158 |
474 |
368 |
2487.7 |
2519 |
4.11 |
1.409 |
1.013 |
1 |
Tom Browning |
123 |
90 |
302 |
300 |
1921.0 |
1931 |
3.94 |
1.271 |
1.005 |
1 |
Bob Moose |
76 |
71 |
289 |
160 |
1304.3 |
1308 |
3.50 |
1.300 |
1.003 |
1 |
Dick Bosman |
82 |
85 |
306 |
229 |
1591.0 |
1594 |
3.67 |
1.261 |
1.002 |
1 |
One or More No-Hitters, Less Than 1000 Innings Pitched (Career) *
Many of the pitchers in the subsequent listing experienced brief Major League careers due to injury or ineffectiveness, yet they achieved some measure of fame from their no-hit efforts.
Athletics’ southpaw
Dallas Braden (career record of 26-36, 4.16 ERA, 1.325 WHIP) delivered a perfecto on
May 9, 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Philip Humber (career record of 16-23, 5.31 ERA, 1.420 WHIP) twirled a perfect game at Seattle on
April 21, 2012 as a member of the White Sox.
Bobo Holloman supplied a no-hitter in his first Major League starting assignment versus the Philadelphia Athletics on
May 6, 1953. Holloman’s 1.821 WHIP during his lone big-league campaign earned him a return trip to the minors. He accrued 65.1 innings pitched for the Browns, the lowest total career IP for all hurlers with a no-hitter to their credit since 1901. Redbirds’ rookie lefthander
Bud Smith tossed 134 pitches but conceded zero safeties against the Padres on
September 3, 2001. Smith placed fourth in the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year balloting but faltered in his sophomore campaign, notching only one victory in 10 starts with a 6.94 ERA and a 1.854 WHIP.
The 1983 White Sox cruised to the title in the American League Western Division but the Chicago offense was confounded by
Mike Warren on
September 29, 1983. The Pale Hose lineup encompassed four batsmen with 20+ home runs including future Hall of Fame backstop Carlton “Pudge” Fisk along with the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year, Ron Kittle (.254/35/100). Warren furnished a 1.051 WHIP in 12 appearances (9 starts) in his inaugural season but his control deserted him. His ERA ballooned to 5.50 in 1984-85 with a corresponding rise in WHIP to 1.712.
Date Pitcher
9/20/1902 Nixey Callahan
7/22/1905 Weldon Henley
7/20/1906 Mal Eason
5/8/1907 Frank Pfeffer
9/20/1907 Nick Maddox
9/9/1914 Iron Davis
6/16/1916 Tom L. Hughes
6/21/1916 Rube Foster
5/5/1917 Ernie Koob
5/11/1919 Hod Eller
8/8/1931 Bobby Burke
9/21/1934 Paul Dean
4/23/1946 Ed Head
7/10/1947 Don Black
9/3/1947 Bill McCahan
9/9/1948 Rex Barney
5/6/1951 Cliff Chambers
5/6/1953 Bobo Holloman
8/20/1957 Bob Keegan
5/5/1962 Bo Belinsky
5/17/1963 Don Nottebart
9/16/1965 Dave Morehead
7/29/1968 George Culver
5/10/1981 Charlie Lea
9/29/1983 Mike Warren
9/19/1986 Joe Cowley
4/15/1987 Juan Nieves
5/23/1991 Tommy Greene
6/25/1999 Jose Jimenez
9/3/2001 Bud Smith
7/10/2009 Jonathan Sanchez
5/9/2010 Dallas Braden (Perfect Game)
4/21/2012 Philip Humber (Perfect Game)
9/29/2013 Henderson Alvarez *
6/9/2015 Chris Heston *
8/12/2015 Hisashi Iwakuma *
8/21/2015 Mike Fiers *
8/30/2015 Jake Arrieta *
4/21/2016 Jake Arrieta *
(* indicates active player entering 2016 season)
Best Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with One or More No-Hitters
(minimum 1000 IP)
Pitcher |
W |
L |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
ERA |
WHIP |
HIP |
0H |
Nolan Ryan |
324 |
292 |
807 |
773 |
5386.0 |
3923 |
3.19 |
1.247 |
0.728 |
7 |
Clayton Kershaw |
114 |
56 |
244 |
242 |
1611.0 |
1198 |
2.43 |
1.033 |
0.744 |
1 |
Sandy Koufax |
165 |
87 |
397 |
314 |
2324.3 |
1754 |
2.76 |
1.106 |
0.755 |
4 |
Hoyt Wilhelm |
143 |
122 |
1070 |
52 |
2254.3 |
1757 |
2.52 |
1.125 |
0.779 |
1 |
Ed Walsh |
195 |
126 |
430 |
315 |
2964.3 |
2346 |
1.82 |
1.000 |
0.791 |
1 |
Joe Wood |
117 |
57 |
225 |
158 |
1436.3 |
1138 |
2.03 |
1.085 |
0.792 |
1 |
Jeff Tesreau |
115 |
72 |
247 |
206 |
1679.0 |
1350 |
2.43 |
1.145 |
0.804 |
1 |
Randy D. Johnson |
303 |
166 |
618 |
603 |
4135.3 |
3346 |
3.29 |
1.171 |
0.809 |
2 |
Addie Joss |
160 |
97 |
286 |
260 |
2327.0 |
1888 |
1.89 |
0.968 |
0.811 |
2 |
Jim Maloney |
134 |
84 |
302 |
262 |
1849.0 |
1518 |
3.19 |
1.259 |
0.821 |
2 |
Tom Seaver |
311 |
205 |
656 |
647 |
4782.7 |
3971 |
2.86 |
1.121 |
0.830 |
1 |
Walter Johnson |
417 |
279 |
802 |
666 |
5914.7 |
4913 |
2.17 |
1.061 |
0.831 |
1 |
Bob Gibson |
251 |
174 |
528 |
482 |
3884.3 |
3279 |
2.91 |
1.188 |
0.844 |
1 |
Don Wilson |
104 |
92 |
266 |
245 |
1748.3 |
1479 |
3.15 |
1.212 |
0.846 |
2 |
Jim Palmer |
268 |
152 |
558 |
521 |
3948.0 |
3349 |
2.86 |
1.180 |
0.848 |
1 |
Matt Cain |
97 |
99 |
294 |
291 |
1872.0 |
1589 |
3.47 |
1.186 |
0.849 |
1 |
Johan Santana |
139 |
78 |
360 |
284 |
2025.7 |
1726 |
3.20 |
1.132 |
0.852 |
1 |
Sam Jones |
102 |
101 |
322 |
222 |
1643.3 |
1403 |
3.59 |
1.354 |
0.854 |
1 |
Bob Feller |
266 |
162 |
570 |
484 |
3827.0 |
3271 |
3.25 |
1.316 |
0.855 |
3 |
Johnny Vander Meer |
119 |
121 |
346 |
285 |
2104.7 |
1799 |
3.44 |
1.393 |
0.855 |
2 |
Catfish Hunter |
224 |
166 |
500 |
476 |
3449.3 |
2958 |
3.26 |
1.134 |
0.858 |
1 |
Tom Phoebus |
56 |
52 |
201 |
149 |
1030.0 |
888 |
3.33 |
1.337 |
0.862 |
1 |
David Cone |
194 |
126 |
450 |
419 |
2898.7 |
2504 |
3.46 |
1.256 |
0.864 |
1 |
Dean Chance |
128 |
115 |
406 |
294 |
2147.3 |
1864 |
2.92 |
1.212 |
0.868 |
1 |
Frank Smith |
139 |
111 |
354 |
255 |
2273.0 |
1975 |
2.59 |
1.166 |
0.869 |
2 |
Ewell Blackwell |
82 |
78 |
236 |
169 |
1321.0 |
1150 |
3.30 |
1.296 |
0.871 |
1 |
Carlos Zambrano |
132 |
91 |
354 |
302 |
1959.0 |
1709 |
3.66 |
1.331 |
0.872 |
1 |
Tim Lincecum |
108 |
83 |
269 |
261 |
1643.7 |
1438 |
3.61 |
1.268 |
0.875 |
2 |
Cy Young |
225 |
146 |
401 |
369 |
3313.0 |
2900 |
2.12 |
1.000 |
0.875 |
2 |
Chief Bender |
212 |
127 |
459 |
334 |
3017.0 |
2645 |
2.46 |
1.113 |
0.877 |
1 |
Vida Blue |
209 |
161 |
502 |
473 |
3343.3 |
2939 |
3.27 |
1.233 |
0.879 |
1 |
Nap Rucker |
134 |
134 |
336 |
272 |
2375.3 |
2089 |
2.42 |
1.175 |
0.879 |
1 |
Allie Reynolds |
182 |
107 |
434 |
309 |
2492.3 |
2193 |
3.30 |
1.386 |
0.880 |
2 |
Christy Mathewson |
373 |
185 |
629 |
550 |
4747.0 |
4181 |
2.11 |
1.054 |
0.881 |
2 |
Max Scherzer |
105 |
62 |
240 |
231 |
1468.0 |
1298 |
3.46 |
1.172 |
0.884 |
1 |
Dave Stieb |
176 |
137 |
443 |
412 |
2895.3 |
2572 |
3.44 |
1.245 |
0.888 |
1 |
Francisco Liriano |
88 |
79 |
254 |
227 |
1350.0 |
1200 |
3.97 |
1.311 |
0.889 |
1 |
Cole Hamels |
121 |
91 |
307 |
306 |
2013.7 |
1794 |
3.31 |
1.147 |
0.891 |
1 |
Sonny Siebert |
140 |
114 |
399 |
307 |
2152.0 |
1919 |
3.21 |
1.213 |
0.892 |
1 |
Ramon Martinez |
135 |
88 |
301 |
297 |
1895.7 |
1691 |
3.67 |
1.311 |
0.892 |
1 |
Felix Hernandez |
143 |
101 |
334 |
334 |
2262.3 |
2019 |
3.11 |
1.171 |
0.892 |
1 |
Jered Weaver |
138 |
81 |
291 |
291 |
1847.0 |
1652 |
3.40 |
1.159 |
0.894 |
1 |
Hideo Nomo |
123 |
109 |
323 |
318 |
1976.3 |
1768 |
4.24 |
1.354 |
0.895 |
1 |
Hooks Wiltse |
139 |
90 |
357 |
226 |
2112.3 |
1892 |
2.47 |
1.131 |
0.896 |
1 |
Bill Singer |
118 |
127 |
322 |
308 |
2174.0 |
1952 |
3.39 |
1.257 |
0.898 |
1 |
Bob Lemon |
207 |
128 |
460 |
350 |
2850.0 |
2559 |
3.23 |
1.337 |
0.898 |
1 |
Mike Scott |
124 |
108 |
347 |
319 |
2068.7 |
1858 |
3.54 |
1.201 |
0.898 |
1 |
Eddie Cicotte |
208 |
149 |
502 |
361 |
3223.3 |
2897 |
2.38 |
1.155 |
0.899 |
1 |
Juan Marichal |
243 |
142 |
471 |
457 |
3507.3 |
3153 |
2.89 |
1.101 |
0.899 |
1 |
Al Leiter |
162 |
132 |
419 |
382 |
2391.0 |
2152 |
3.80 |
1.386 |
0.900 |
1 |
Justin Verlander |
157 |
97 |
318 |
318 |
2111.3 |
1901 |
3.52 |
1.204 |
0.900 |
2 |
Virgil Trucks |
177 |
135 |
517 |
328 |
2682.3 |
2416 |
3.39 |
1.306 |
0.901 |
2 |
Joe Benz |
76 |
75 |
251 |
163 |
1359.7 |
1225 |
2.43 |
1.147 |
0.901 |
1 |
Ubaldo Jimenez |
100 |
94 |
269 |
265 |
1585.0 |
1438 |
4.01 |
1.360 |
0.907 |
1 |
Earl Wilson |
121 |
109 |
338 |
310 |
2051.7 |
1863 |
3.69 |
1.296 |
0.908 |
1 |
Jim Bibby |
111 |
101 |
340 |
239 |
1722.7 |
1565 |
3.76 |
1.328 |
0.908 |
1 |
Jimmy Lavender |
63 |
76 |
224 |
142 |
1207.3 |
1097 |
3.09 |
1.279 |
0.909 |
1 |
Larry Dierker |
139 |
123 |
356 |
329 |
2333.7 |
2130 |
3.31 |
1.217 |
0.913 |
1 |
Jim Bunning |
224 |
184 |
591 |
519 |
3760.3 |
3433 |
3.27 |
1.179 |
0.913 |
1 |
Joe Horlen |
116 |
117 |
361 |
290 |
2002.0 |
1829 |
3.11 |
1.190 |
0.914 |
1 |
Dwight Gooden |
194 |
112 |
430 |
410 |
2800.7 |
2564 |
3.51 |
1.256 |
0.915 |
1 |
Dave Righetti |
82 |
79 |
718 |
89 |
1403.7 |
1287 |
3.46 |
1.338 |
0.917 |
1 |
Bill Dinneen |
127 |
127 |
285 |
253 |
2244.7 |
2065 |
2.78 |
1.156 |
0.920 |
1 |
Warren Spahn |
363 |
245 |
750 |
665 |
5243.7 |
4830 |
3.09 |
1.195 |
0.921 |
2 |
A.J. Burnett |
164 |
157 |
435 |
430 |
2731.3 |
2519 |
3.99 |
1.325 |
0.922 |
1 |
Dutch Leonard |
139 |
113 |
331 |
272 |
2192.0 |
2022 |
2.76 |
1.225 |
0.922 |
2 |
Gaylord Perry |
314 |
265 |
777 |
690 |
5350.3 |
4938 |
3.11 |
1.181 |
0.923 |
1 |
Sal Maglie |
119 |
62 |
303 |
232 |
1723.0 |
1591 |
3.15 |
1.250 |
0.923 |
1 |
Fred Toney |
139 |
102 |
336 |
271 |
2206.0 |
2037 |
2.69 |
1.188 |
0.923 |
1 |
Josh Beckett |
138 |
106 |
335 |
332 |
2051.0 |
1897 |
3.88 |
1.232 |
0.925 |
1 |
Fernando Valenzuela |
173 |
153 |
453 |
424 |
2930.0 |
2718 |
3.54 |
1.320 |
0.928 |
1 |
Wilson Alvarez |
102 |
92 |
355 |
263 |
1747.7 |
1624 |
3.96 |
1.390 |
0.929 |
1 |
Jon Lester |
127 |
79 |
285 |
284 |
1801.0 |
1675 |
3.55 |
1.259 |
0.930 |
1 |
Ray Caldwell |
133 |
120 |
343 |
260 |
2242.0 |
2089 |
3.22 |
1.261 |
0.932 |
1 |
Bert Blyleven |
287 |
250 |
692 |
685 |
4970.0 |
4632 |
3.31 |
1.198 |
0.932 |
1 |
Jack Morris |
254 |
186 |
549 |
527 |
3824.0 |
3567 |
3.90 |
1.296 |
0.933 |
1 |
Phil Niekro |
318 |
274 |
864 |
716 |
5404.3 |
5044 |
3.35 |
1.268 |
0.933 |
1 |
Dennis Eckersley |
197 |
171 |
1071 |
361 |
3285.7 |
3076 |
3.50 |
1.161 |
0.936 |
1 |
Burt Hooton |
151 |
136 |
480 |
377 |
2652.0 |
2497 |
3.38 |
1.243 |
0.942 |
1 |
Johnny Lush |
66 |
85 |
182 |
154 |
1239.3 |
1169 |
2.68 |
1.276 |
0.943 |
1 |
Bob Groom |
119 |
150 |
367 |
288 |
2336.3 |
2205 |
3.10 |
1.279 |
0.944 |
1 |
Noodles Hahn |
91 |
66 |
166 |
160 |
1409.0 |
1330 |
2.36 |
1.103 |
0.944 |
1 |
Kevin Brown |
211 |
144 |
486 |
476 |
3256.3 |
3079 |
3.28 |
1.222 |
0.946 |
1 |
Steve Busby |
70 |
54 |
167 |
150 |
1060.7 |
1003 |
3.72 |
1.354 |
0.946 |
2 |
Don Cardwell |
102 |
138 |
410 |
301 |
2122.7 |
2009 |
3.92 |
1.263 |
0.946 |
1 |
Dazzy Vance |
197 |
140 |
442 |
347 |
2966.7 |
2809 |
3.24 |
1.230 |
0.947 |
1 |
Clay Buchholz |
73 |
51 |
169 |
167 |
1028.3 |
974 |
3.85 |
1.299 |
0.947 |
1 |
Ed Halicki |
55 |
66 |
192 |
157 |
1063.0 |
1007 |
3.62 |
1.262 |
0.947 |
1 |
Bob Rhoads |
97 |
82 |
218 |
185 |
1691.7 |
1604 |
2.61 |
1.240 |
0.948 |
1 |
Anibal Sanchez |
80 |
74 |
221 |
219 |
1334.0 |
1266 |
3.70 |
1.289 |
0.949 |
1 |
John Candelaria |
177 |
122 |
600 |
356 |
2525.7 |
2399 |
3.33 |
1.184 |
0.950 |
1 |
Dave Stewart |
168 |
129 |
523 |
348 |
2629.7 |
2499 |
3.95 |
1.344 |
0.950 |
1 |
Carl Erskine |
122 |
78 |
335 |
216 |
1718.7 |
1637 |
4.00 |
1.328 |
0.952 |
2 |
George Mullin |
228 |
196 |
487 |
428 |
3686.7 |
3518 |
2.82 |
1.290 |
0.954 |
1 |
Bill Stoneman |
54 |
85 |
245 |
170 |
1236.3 |
1182 |
4.08 |
1.443 |
0.956 |
2 |
Milt Pappas |
209 |
164 |
520 |
465 |
3186.0 |
3046 |
3.40 |
1.225 |
0.956 |
1 |
Bret Saberhagen |
167 |
117 |
399 |
371 |
2562.7 |
2452 |
3.34 |
1.141 |
0.957 |
1 |
Jordan Zimmermann |
70 |
50 |
178 |
178 |
1094.0 |
1047 |
3.32 |
1.159 |
0.957 |
1 |
Jesse Tannehill |
118 |
74 |
220 |
202 |
1705.7 |
1639 |
2.56 |
1.125 |
0.961 |
1 |
Jim Wilson |
86 |
89 |
257 |
217 |
1539.0 |
1479 |
4.01 |
1.356 |
0.961 |
1 |
Ken T. Johnson |
91 |
106 |
334 |
231 |
1737.3 |
1670 |
3.46 |
1.199 |
0.961 |
1 |
Roy Halladay |
203 |
105 |
416 |
390 |
2749.3 |
2646 |
3.38 |
1.178 |
0.962 |
2 |
Carl Hubbell |
253 |
154 |
535 |
431 |
3590.3 |
3461 |
2.98 |
1.166 |
0.964 |
1 |
Matt Garza |
81 |
89 |
247 |
243 |
1494.3 |
1443 |
3.99 |
1.300 |
0.966 |
1 |
Vern Bickford |
66 |
57 |
182 |
149 |
1076.3 |
1040 |
3.71 |
1.400 |
0.966 |
1 |
Joe Bush |
195 |
183 |
489 |
366 |
3087.3 |
2992 |
3.51 |
1.378 |
0.969 |
1 |
Ervin Santana |
126 |
105 |
316 |
313 |
1990.7 |
1931 |
4.16 |
1.284 |
0.970 |
1 |
John Montefusco |
90 |
83 |
298 |
244 |
1652.3 |
1604 |
3.54 |
1.281 |
0.971 |
1 |
Clyde Wright |
100 |
111 |
329 |
235 |
1728.7 |
1679 |
3.50 |
1.289 |
0.971 |
1 |
Dock Ellis |
138 |
119 |
345 |
317 |
2127.7 |
2067 |
3.46 |
1.288 |
0.971 |
1 |
Chick Fraser |
103 |
125 |
259 |
226 |
1981.3 |
1925 |
3.30 |
1.347 |
0.972 |
1 |
Ken Holtzman |
174 |
150 |
451 |
410 |
2867.3 |
2787 |
3.49 |
1.289 |
0.972 |
2 |
Ken Forsch |
114 |
113 |
521 |
241 |
2127.3 |
2071 |
3.37 |
1.249 |
0.974 |
1 |
Monte Pearson |
100 |
61 |
224 |
191 |
1429.7 |
1392 |
4.00 |
1.491 |
0.974 |
1 |
Len Barker |
74 |
76 |
248 |
194 |
1323.7 |
1289 |
4.34 |
1.361 |
0.974 |
1 |
Dennis Martinez |
245 |
193 |
692 |
562 |
3999.7 |
3897 |
3.70 |
1.266 |
0.974 |
1 |
Rube Marquard |
201 |
177 |
536 |
403 |
3306.7 |
3233 |
3.08 |
1.237 |
0.978 |
1 |
Mel Parnell |
123 |
75 |
289 |
232 |
1752.7 |
1715 |
3.50 |
1.411 |
0.979 |
1 |
Lon Warneke |
192 |
121 |
445 |
343 |
2782.3 |
2726 |
3.18 |
1.245 |
0.980 |
1 |
Mike Witt |
117 |
116 |
341 |
299 |
2108.3 |
2066 |
3.83 |
1.318 |
0.980 |
1 |
Darryl Kile |
133 |
119 |
359 |
331 |
2165.3 |
2135 |
4.12 |
1.410 |
0.986 |
1 |
Kent Mercker |
74 |
67 |
692 |
150 |
1325.3 |
1307 |
4.16 |
1.444 |
0.986 |
1 |
Homer Bailey |
58 |
51 |
168 |
168 |
1010.0 |
999 |
4.19 |
1.311 |
0.989 |
2 |
Earl Hamilton |
116 |
147 |
410 |
261 |
2342.7 |
2319 |
3.16 |
1.320 |
0.990 |
1 |
Bob Forsch |
168 |
136 |
498 |
422 |
2794.7 |
2777 |
3.76 |
1.291 |
0.994 |
2 |
Ray Washburn |
72 |
64 |
239 |
166 |
1209.7 |
1208 |
3.53 |
1.291 |
0.999 |
1 |
References and Resources
Albert, Jim and Max Marchi. Analyzing Baseball Data with R. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press, 2014. Print.
Baseball-Reference
Paper of Record – Sporting News – Box Scores and Game Accounts
Retrosheet – No Hitters Alphabetically by Pitcher
The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at “www.retrosheet.org”.
SABR Baseball Biography Project
Sean Lahman Baseball Archive
About the Author
I am a New Jersey native with a passion for baseball, statistics, computers and video games who enjoys spending quality time with his family.
“Hardball Retrospective” is available in
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“Hardball Retrospective – Addendum 2014 to 2016” supplements my research for Hardball Retrospective, providing retroactive standings based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Win Shares (WS) for each “original” team over the past three seasons (2014-2016). Team totals from 2010 – 2013 are included for reference purposes. “Addendum” is available in
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** Article amended on July 22, 2016 @ 9:15 am **
- added link to GoogleDocs spreadsheet which contains the entire list of qualifying pitchers
- added table – “** Special Case ** (200+ Career Wins, 1000+ IP, H/IP < 1, Zero No-Hitters)”
Not surprised to see McDowell, Tiant, Siebert on the lists. Wonder who would be on the list of the top 25 trios of the above “best” pitchers who were teammates for 5 or more years, whether they threw a no-no or not.