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<\/a>Walter Johnson. Photo by pingnews.com<\/a> It\u2019s the dreaded baseball off-season and, as usual, Baseball Roundtable is drawn to random musings driven by the baseball record book.\u00a0 And \u2013 also as usual \u2013 as I approached this task, one thing led to another<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 In this case, a look at Hall of Famer Walter Johnson<\/strong>\u2019s record in 1-0 games, led to a foray into unique 1-0 contests in MLB history.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with Johnson, in his 21 MLB seasons, The Big Train took the mound in 65 1-0 contests \u2013 putting up a 38-26 (with\u00a0 one no-decision) record.\u00a0 His 65 appearances included 62 starts and three relief appearances and – an illustration of how times have changed \u2013 Johnson threw complete games in 60 of those 62 starts.<\/p>\n By comparison, in 24 seasons, Roger Clemens<\/strong> took the mound in 21 games that ended in a 1-1 score, going 8-5, with eight no-decisions.\u00a0 \u00a0He started all 21 games and completed four.\u00a0 In 2005, \u00a0Roger Clemens started for the Astros in five games that ended in a 1-0 score. The Astros lost all five, with Clemens getting five no-decisions.\u00a0 In those five no-decisions, Clemens pitched 35 innings, giving up 15 hits and no runs, while walking eight and fanning 37. In the 2005 season, the Astros were shutout in nine of Clemens\u2019 32 starts. I warned you that \u201cone thing leads to another.”<\/em><\/p>\n NOTE:\u00a0 THERE IS STILL TIME TO VOTE IN BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE’S FAN 2023 HALL OF FAME BALLOTING.\u00a0 CLICK HERE<\/a> TO GO TO THE POST THAT HAS A LINK TO THE BALLOT.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, lets look at some notable 1-0 tilts, starting with one \u00a0by the layer who spurred this post.\u00a0 I should add hat I have ranked these games subjectively, in terms of their interest to me \u2013 as opposed to their objective significance.<\/p>\n Number One \u2013 Probably Never See This\u00a0 Again<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hall of Famer Walter Johnson<\/strong> is one of four players to share the record for the longest complete-game shutout in MLB history.\u00a0 Three of the four ended in 1-0 scores.\u00a0 Johnson\u00a0 shutdown the Chicago White Sox 1-0 over 18 innings on May 15, 1918.\u00a0 Johnson gave up ten bits and one walk, while fanning nine. His mound opponent, Lefty Williams<\/strong>, also went the distance, gave up just eight hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Johnson \u2013 a good-hitting pitcher \u2013 played a role in the 18th<\/sup> inning score. Senators\u2019 catcher Eddie Ainsmith<\/strong> rapped a one-out single, with Johnson singling him to third and Ainsmith scoring on a wild pitch. In this age of pitch counts and relief specialists, we\u2019re not likely to see another 18-inning complete game.<\/p>\n The other complete-game, 18-inning 1-0 winners:<\/p>\n Walk-Off Winner<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n John Ward\u2019s 18 inning 1-0 win is reportedly the first 1-0 game won by a walk-off home run, The dinger was hit by Hall of Fame pitcher Charles \u201cOld Hoss” Radbourn, who was playing outfield that day.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The other pitcher to toss 18 shutout innings in a game was the Tigers’ Ed Summers<\/strong>, who on July 16, 1909, held the Washington Senators to no runs on seven hits (two walks ten strikeouts) over 18 innings in a contest that ended in a 0-0 tie.\u00a0 (Two Senators’ hurlers gave up just six hits, with seven walks and seven whiffs.) Summers pitched in five MLB season, going 68-45, 2.42. (He was 24-12, 1.64 as a rookie in 1908.) His career was cut short by arm issues.<\/p>\n Walter Johnson Tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Walter Johnson\u2019s MLB-record 110 complete-game shutouts and record (tied) for leading the league in shutouts (seven seasons) provide ample evidence that he is the \u201cKing of the Whitewashing.\u201d On Labor Weekend 1908 \u2013 in just his second MLB season \u2013 the 20-year-old\u00a0 future Hall of Famer gave notice of what lie ahead. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Johnson\u2019s Senators were in New York for a weekend series against the Highlanders (Yankees).\u00a0 Johnson started on Friday, September 4 and threw a six-hit, complete-game shutout. He came back on Saturday the fifth and was even better, tossing a four-hit shutout. Sunday, fortunately for Johnson\u2019s arm, was an off day (no Sunday baseball). \u00a0On Monday, Johnson was back on the mound and he was even better, this time tossing a two-hit shutout. So, in four days, he threw three complete-game shutouts, pitching 27 innings, giving up just 12 hits (one walk, 12 strikeouts). No probably here \u2013 we will never see that again.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Two \u2013 1-0 \u2026 Almost 3-0 \u2026 Almost Perfect<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Subtitle \u2013 The Unlucky 13th<\/em><\/p>\n Unfortunately, the Braves\u2019 Lew Burdette,<\/strong> despite giving up 12 hits and fanning only two, had held the Pirates scoreless. (Like Haddix, Burdette had not issued a single free pass.) Milwaukee 2B Felix Mantilla<\/strong> led off the 13th by reaching on error by Pirates\u2019 third baseman Don Hoak<\/strong>. Slugging 3B Eddie Mathews<\/strong> bunted Mantilla over to second, which led to an intentional walk to RF Hank Aaron<\/strong>, bringing up 1B Joe Adcock.<\/strong>\u00a0 Adcock rapped a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for what appeared to be a three-run home run.\u00a0 However, the Braves, in celebrating the tension-filled victory, forgot how to run the bases. Adcock passed Aaron between second and third and, after some deliberation, Adcock was called out \u2013 ultimately changing his three-run homer to a one-run double. So, despite 12 perfect innings, Haddix lost the no-hitter, the shutout and the game itself.\u00a0 But he did etch his name forever into baseball lore; and countless trivia quizzes \u2013 and made this one memorable 1-0 ball game. \u00a0This game got extra points in my subjective ratings because, as an 11-year-old Braves fan at the time, I was listening to the game on the radio.<\/p>\n Haddix spent 14 seasons (1952-65) in the major leagues (Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, Pirates, Orioles), going 136-113, 3.48.\u00a0 His best seasons were with the Cardinals in 1953-54. In those two campaigns, Haddix put up lines of 20-9, 3.06 and 18-13, 3.57.\u00a0 The 5\u20199\u201d, 170-pounder was a three-time All Star and led the NL in shutouts (six) in 1953.<\/p>\n Harvey Haddix Tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Harvey Haddix 12 perfect innings on May 26, 1959, were particularly improbable. One, Haddix was suffering from the flu that day.\u00a0 Two, it was later reported that the Braves were stealing the signs\u00a0 laid down by Pirates; catcher Smoky Burgess (and they still couldn’t hit him.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Three – One Game \u2026 Two pitchers \u2026 One Hit \u2026 1-0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo by cliff1066\u2122<\/a> When Dodgers\u2019\u00a0 icon Sandy Koufax<\/strong> tossed a perfect game on September 9, 1965, he pretty much needed it. He was opposed by Cubs\u2019 right-hander Bob Hendley<\/strong> (who went 48-52, 3.97 in a seven-year MLB career), who was on top of his game as well. After eight innings, Hendley had given up just one hit and one walk (versus three strikeouts). The only hit had been a harmless double by Dodgers\u2019 LF Lou Johnson<\/strong> in the bottom of the seventh. Hendley had allowed just one run in eight frames \u2013 and even that wasn\u2019t his fault.\u00a0 The pesky Johnson had led off the fifth with a walk; moved to second on a sacrifice by RF Ron Fairly<\/strong>; stole third; and scored as Cubs\u2019 C Chris Krug<\/strong> made a wild throw past third baseman Ron Santo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Hendley\u2019s efforts, however, weren\u2019t nearly enough that day. Koufax, who came into the game already a 20-game winner (21-7 on the season), threw a perfect game \u2013 striking out 14 Cubs. A high-rating here, for the perfect game and\u00a0 the fewest combined hits ever allowed in an M LB game.<\/p>\n Number Four – A Hard Day\u2019s Night<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On April 15, 1968, the Astros and Mets started a 1-0 contest that did not end until 1:37 a.m. April 26.\u00a0 It tied for the fourth-longest game in MLB history \u2013 and the 24 innings represent the single-game record for the longest any game remained scoreless.\u00a0 Points were given here for the length of game and how each team\u2019s offensive futility mirrored the other. A few tidbits:<\/p>\n A few other overall facts:<\/p>\n Game Tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After 23 1\/2 scoreless frames, the deciding bottom of the 24th<\/sup> went like this:\u00a0 With Les Rohr on the mound for the Mets, Astros\u2019 RF Norm Miller (at the time 0-for-seven) singled to right; Rohr balked him to second; LF Jim Wynn was intentionally walked; Rusty Staub grounded out second-to-first, with the runners moving up to second and third base; PH John Bateman was intentionally walked; 3B Bob Aspromonte (at the time 0-for-8) reached on an error by Mets\u2019 SS Al Weiss, with Miller scoring the game\u2019s lone run. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Five \u2013 61 in \u201861<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo by rchdj10<\/a> One of my favorite trivia questions has always been: What was the score of the game in which Roger Maris hit his then record-breaking 61st homer?<\/em>\u00a0 Since this post is about 1-0 games, you can be sure that was the score. On October 1, 1961 \u2013 in the Yankees\u2019 final game of the regular season \u2013 Roger Maris<\/strong> hit his 61st home run of the season. \u00a0The shot came off Tracy Stallard<\/strong> with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Breaking an iconic record, on the final day of the season, in a tight 1-0 game, versus the\u00a0 arch-rival Red Sox earns this spot in the Roundtable rankings<\/p>\n Roger Maris Tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1961, the year Roger Maris hit 61 home runs, was the only season in his 12-year MLB career that he did not draw a single intentional walk. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Number Six – A Double No-No \u2026 Well, Almost<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On May 2, 1917 the Reds faced the Cubs in Chicago, with righty Fred Toney<\/strong> starting for the Reds and southpaw\u00a0 Jim \u201cHippo\u201d Vaughn<\/strong> on the bump for the Cubs. Toney, who would win 24 games that season, came in with a 4-1, 1.88 record and five complete games in five starts.\u00a0 Vaughn, on his way to a 23-win season, stood at 4-2. 2.25, with three complete games in four starts. The expected pitching duel materialized.<\/p>\n After nine innings, the game was knotted at 0-0 and neither Toney nor Vaughn had surrendered a hit (the only MLB game ever in which both pitchers held the opposition hitless for nine frames). Vaughn seemed to be getting the better of it. Each pitcher had walked just two batters, but Vaughn had fanned ten to Toney\u2019s one. \u00a0In the top of the tenth, Vaughn faltered and a pair of singles and an outfield error led to an unearned run. Toney pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning (strikeout-fly out-strikeout) to leave the mound with a 1-0 no-hitter win.<\/p>\n Toney pitched 12 MLB seasons (1911-13, 1915-23), going 139-102, 2.69 and twice won 20 or more games. Vaughn pitched in 13 MLB seasons (1908, 1910-21), going 178-137, 2.49 \u2013 and won twenty or more games in five seasons. In 1918. Vaughn won the pitching Triple Crown, leading the NL in wins (22), ERA (1.74) and strikeouts (148).<\/p>\n Hippo Vaughn Tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The last two MLB hitters Hippo Vaughn faced (Giants’ C Frank Snyder and the opposing pitcher Paul Douglas) both homered against him (a Grand Slam and a solo shot) with one out in the fourth inning of a Giants’ 6-5 win over Vaughn and the Cubs on July 9, 1921. Vaughn was pulled from the game and reportedly left the club \u2013 never to play in the major leagues again. Various explanations for Vaughn\u2019s departure (and subsequent suspension) from the major leagues have surfaced, but none have been officially confirmed. According the Vaughn\u2019s\u00a0 Society for American Baseball Research biography (written by Jan Finkel) Vaughn did go on to pitch for several years in a number of semi-pro leagues. \u00a0In his final M LB season, he was 3-11, 6.01.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Number Seven – Let\u2019s Get This Party Started<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On Opening Day 1940 (April 16), the Indians\u2019 Bob Feller<\/strong> no-hit the White Sox 1-0 in Chicago, walking five and fanning eight. The 21-year-old Feller would go on to post a 27-11, 2.61 record that season – leading the AL in wins, ERA, starts (37), complete games (31), shutouts (4), innings pitched (320 1\/3) and strikeouts (261).<\/p>\n Six seasons later \u2013 on Opening Day 1946\u00a0 – Leon Day<\/strong> of the Negro National League Newark Eagles no-hit\u00a0 the Philadelphia Stars 2-0.\u00a0 The only other no-hitter recorded on MLB Opening Day. \u00a0Feller\u2019s 1-0 win remains the first Opening Day NO-NO and the only Opening Day 1-0 no-hitter – and worth of this spot on this list.<\/p>\n Number Eight- Another Johnson Shutout<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On Opening Day 1926 (April 13), Walter Johnson<\/strong> went the distance in a 15-inning 1-0 win (Washington Senators over the Philadelphia Athletics). Johnson gave up\u00a0 just six hits and three walks, while fanning nine.\u00a0 His mound opponent, Eddie Rommel<\/strong>, was nearly as good. Going the distance and giving up just one run on nine hits (six walks\/one whiff).\u00a0 Three of those nine safeties \u2013 and the game\u2019s lone run –\u00a0 came in the bottom of the fifteenth (the longest MLB Opening Day, complete-game shutout).<\/p>\n Walter Johnson tidbit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Walter Johnson threw a record seven Opening Day shutouts (in 14 Opening Day starts). <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Number Nine – Something Old \u2026 Something new \u2026 One Pitcher to Go Home Blue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n\n
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<\/a>On May 26, 1959, Pirates’ southpaw Harvey Haddix<\/strong> took the mound against the power-laden Milwaukee Braves (who had won the National League pennant the previous two seasons and came into the game again leading the league).\u00a0 Haddix retired the first 36 hitters in order \u2013 fanning eight over 12 perfect innings.\u00a0 A 20-game winner in 1953, the 33-year-old Haddix had come into the game 4-2, with a 2.67 ERA in seven starts \u2013 and had thrown complete games in his two previous outings. (He would end up 12-12, 3.13 on the year.)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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