Astros History: Don Nottebart Throws Franchise First No Hitter
By David Hill
The Houston Astros began their career as the Colt .45s in 1962. Just over a year later, on this day in 1963, Don Nottebart threw the first no hitter in franchise history.
Expansion came to baseball in 1961, when the American League added the Los Angeles Angels and the latest incarnation of the Washington Senators. With the American League having expanded to ten teams, the National League followed suit in the next year, adding the New York Mets and the Houston Colt .45s, as the Astros were originally named.
While their expansion counterparts went 50 years before their first no hitter, it did not take nearly that long for the Astros franchise to notch their first no hitter. On this day in 1963, Don Nottebart did just that, carving his name into the franchise history books.
Nottebart was hardly an established player when he came to Houston. He had spent parts of three seasons with the Milwaukee Braves, bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation. On November 30, 1962, he was part of a three player package that was sent to the .45s for Norm Larker.
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Nottebart, placed in the rotation to start the season, got off to an excellent start, winning four of his first five decisions. Then, on this day, Nottebart shut down the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing three walks while striking out eight in the 4-1 victory.
The Phillies got their run in the top of the fifth. Don Demeter got to second on an error by Johnny Temple, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Demeter would score on a sacrifice fly by Don Hoak to tie the game at one apiece, but Nottebart’s gem would not go to waste. In the bottom of the sixth, Howie Goss hit a three run home run, giving Houston a lead they would not relinquish.
Although Nottebart would not pitch at the same level as he did during his hot start, he still had a solid first season in Houston. He ended the year with an 11-8 record, posting a 3.17 ERA. Nottebart set career bests with a 1.083 WHiP and 118 strikeouts. He spent three years in total in Houston, where he had 76 of his 89 career starts, before heading to the Reds and a role in the bullpen once more.
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A relatively obscure pitcher, Don Nottebart nonetheless made sure his place in Astros history was sealed as on this day in 1963, he threw the first no hitter in franchise history.