Reds Johnny Vander Meer Pitches Second Straight No Hitter

Pitching one no hitter is noteworthy. Pitching a second consecutive no hitter? That is a historical achievement accomplished only by Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Vander Meer, who fired his second no hitter on this day in 1938.

Johnny Vander Meer was an interesting pitcher during his time in the Majors. He had a strong arm, leading the league in strikeouts three times, but also led the league in walks twice. While he was difficult to hit, Vander Meer was also notorious for his control issues, which hindered his overall effectiveness.

However, for a two start span, Vander Meer was literally unhittable. He fired a no hitter on June 11, 1938, allowing only three walks as he struck out four Braves hitters as the Cincinnati Reds took a 3-0 victory. Then, four days later, as the Brooklyn Dodgers played the first night game in the history of Ebbets Field, Vander Meer became the only pitcher in baseball history to pitch consecutive no hitters, blanking the Dodgers in a 6-0 win.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

While he was fairly under control during his first no hitter, the same could not be said on this night. Vander Meer walked eight batters, but still struck out seven. He appeared to tire down the stretch, walking the bases loaded with one out in the night. However, he Ernie Coy to ground out to third, with the force at home preserving the shutout. A fly ball by Leo Durocher ended the game, as Vander Meer etched his name into the history books.

His no hit streak ended after 21.2 innings, when Debs Garms got a hit off Vander Meer in the fourth inning of Reds contest with the Braves. For his part, Vander Meer was glad that the streak was over, as he said that the pressure and tension were getting to him. It is certainly understandable why that would be – the longer the streak went, the more questions he would get about his amazing accomplishment and the brighter the spotlight that he would be under.

Next: Five most disappointing teams this year

Johnny Vander Meer had a great arm, but his command issues limited the type of pitcher he was able to become. Yet, for two games, he became immortal.