On this evening(June 15) in 1938, 38,748 fans gathered to watch the Dodgers take on the Reds in the first-ever night game at Ebbets Field. Cincinnati southpaw Johnny Vander Meer made sure it was a memorable and historic evening in Flatbush – one that would be remembered for far more than the lighting.
On that evening, the 23-year-old Vander Meer – in his first full MLB season – threw a no-hitter, topping the Dodgers 6-0. It was his seventh win of the 1938 campaign (against two losses) and the sixth in a string of nine wins without a loss. But it was much more than that. Just four days earlier (June 11), Vander Meer had thrown a no-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Boston Bees (Braves) in Cincinnati. The no-hitter against the Dodgers made Vander Meer the first MLB pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a season – and he remains the only major league pitcher to throw a no-hitter in two consecutive starts. Note: Since Vander Meer’s feat only four other pitchers have thrown two complete-game no-hitters in a single regular season (no one has tossed three): Allie Reynolds, Yankees (1951); Virgil Trucks (Tigers, 1952); Nolan Ryan (Angels, 1973); Max Scherzer (Nationals, 2015).
Vander Meer, a 6’1”, 190-pound, fastballer not known for his pinpoint control, had to work for the second no-hitter. He walked eight, while striking out seven – and faced maximum pressure in the final inning. He started the bottom of the ninth easily enough, retiring Dodgers’ LF Buddy Hassett on a grounder to the mound. Then things got a bit dicey. Vander Meer walked Dodgers’ catcher Babe Phelps, third baseman Cookie Lavagetto and first baseman Dolph Camilli in order – loading the bases with one out. He then induced a grounder to third by center fielder Ernie Koy (with Reds’ third sacker Lew Riggs throwing home for the force out). With the bases still full, Vander Meer got an easy fly out to center by Dodgers’ shortstop Leo Durocher to end the suspense – and earn his way into the MLB record books. Note: the first of the two consecutive no-hitters was a touch easier – a 3-0 win over Boston with three walks and four strikeouts.
Vander Meer finished the 1938 season 15-10, with a 3.12 ERA. He would go on to a 13-season MLB career (losing two years – 1944 and 1945 – to military service), with a final stat line of 119-121, 3.44. He would be an All Star in 1938, 1939, 1942 and 1943) and lead the NL in strikeouts in 1941, 1942 and 1943. In 1943, he led the NL in both walks (162) and whiffs (174). His best season was 1942, when he went 18-12, with a 2.43 ERA and a league-leading 186 strikeouts.
JOHNNY VANDER MEER – BEFORE AND AFTER
From 1937 through 1943 (before military service), Vander Meer had a 3.11 ERA and a 75-66 won-lost record in 193 appearances. From 1946 through 1951 (his final MLB season), Vander Meer went 44-55, 3.93 in 153 appearances.
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