Top 5 Most Memorable MLB No-Hitters

Few things in baseball are more impressive than pitching a No-hitter. Even though many pitchers have accomplished this feat, we’ll likely see them less and less with time. The most recent No-hitter came this past season with the Chicago Cubs, shared between three pitchers. San Francisco Giants Blake Snell is the last pitcher to go 9.0 innings on his own without allowing a hit. In the current age of baseball analytics, pitchers rarely throw a full 9.0 innings, which makes no-hitters seem even more impressive nowadays. 

This is why I’ve looked through the history books and identified five no-hitters that baseball and sports fans shouldn’t forget.

#5: Ken Johnson (Houston Colt .45s): April 23, 1964 

First on our list is pitcher Ken Johnson, who pitched for the Houston Colt .45s for three seasons (now the Houston Astros). Johnson had a 13-year career in the MLB, but he’s best remembered for his performance against the Cincinnati Reds on April 23, 1964. Johnson was 2-0 entering this game, pitching 17.2 innings while holding a 2.55 ERA. Unfortunately for Johnson, he suffered his first loss in this game.

It wasn’t for trying, as Johnson went 9.0 innings against the Reds, but the Colt .45s fell to Cincinnati 1-0. Although he threw a no-hitter and recorded 9 strikeouts, the Reds Pete Rose reached second base with one out in the top of the 9th thanks to a bunt and error on the throw to first base. Rose advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on another error with two outs in the game. So, although you can’t blame Johnson for the loss, this no-hitter marks the only one in MLB history to be thrown by one pitcher that resulted in a loss after both teams batted for 9 innings.

#4: Johnny Vander Meer (Cincinnati Reds): June 15, 1938

We’ll stay with the Cincinnati Reds trend, as Johnny Vander Meer recorded a no-hitter on June 15, 1938, etching his name in the history books. Vander Meer entered this game with a 6-2 record and a 2.47 ERA. He faced the Brooklyn Dodgers in this matchup, and they never stood a chance, as they were no-hit and didn’t manage a single run even though Vander Meer walked 8 different batters!

This no-hitter is unique because it was Vander Meer’s second no-hitter in as many starts. This has never been broken, as he is the only pitcher in MLB history to throw no-hitters in consecutive starts and holds the record for the shortest time between no-hitters.

#3: Sam Jones (Chicago Cubs): May 12, 1955

Many people remember Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier in baseball on April 15, 1947, as this allowed a slew of African Americans to play in the MLB. One of the best African American pitchers to play in the MLB was Sam Jones, who had a 12-year career. However, he is best known for throwing a no-hitter on May 12, 1955, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Jones entered this game with a 3-3 record and pitched 18.2 innings in his previous two starts, but that didn’t stop him from going 9.0 innings strong without allowing a single hit. The Cubs won this game versus the Pirates 4-0, and this no-hitter marked the first time an African American pitcher completed the feat.

#2: Roy Halladay (Philadelphia Phillies): October 6, 2010

We’re getting down to the wire when it comes to the most memorable MLB no-hitters, and even though Roy Halladay is often remembered as a great pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, his most memorable feat came when he played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2010 season. He had already cemented himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball that season because he threw a complete game during the regular season against the Florida Marlins on May 29, 2010. 

However, he outdid himself in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Halladay threw a no-hitter, allowing just 1 walk and recording 8 strikeouts. This marked the only time a pitcher has thrown no-hitters in regular season and postseason play, cementing himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB history.

#1: Nolan Ryan (Texas Rangers): May 1, 1991

We couldn’t create this list without mentioning one of the best pitchers ever, Nolan Ryan. On this day, the 44-year-old Ryan was pitching for the Texas Rangers and entered the game with a 2-2 record. He went against the Toronto Blue Jays and tossed 9.0 hitless innings while recording 16 strikeouts. That statline is insane when you realize this was Ryan’s 25th season in the MLB during his 27-year career. 

Now, there aren’t many pitchers who can talk about which no-hitter was their favorite, but Ryan would qualify for this, as he recorded 7, which is the most in MLB history. Sandy Koufax is 2nd on this list, and he only has 4. This game against the Blue Jays marked Ryan’s last no-hitter, setting up a record that has not and likely will never be broken by another pitcher in the MLB.