Red Sox History: Cy Young Throws Third Career No Hitter
By David Hill
Cy Young is best known for his incredible durability and his 511 career victories. On this day in 1908, the Boston Red Sox starter became the second pitcher to throw three career no hitters in the majors.
The namesake for the award given to the best pitcher in the majors, Cy Young was a true legend. A model of durability, he not only set a record with 511 victories, but he also threw 749 complete games and 7356 innings. While he was not considered to be the dominant force that other pitchers were, Young was incredible consistent. He had 15 seasons with 20 or more wins, and fired over 200 innings for 19 consecutive seasons.
That was not to say that Young was merely an innings eater. While he may not have been one of the strikeout artists of his era, he was still a master on the mound. That point was further illustrated on this day in 1908, when the Red Sox ace became the second pitcher to throw three no hitters in his career.
In throwing the no hitter, Young came one batter away from being the first, and only, pitcher with two perfect games. He walked New York Highlanders leadoff hitter Harry Niles, who was then caught attempting to steal second. That would be the only baserunner that Young would allow, as he shut the Highlanders down the rest of the way. Interestingly enough, Niles would end up becoming Young’s teammate later in the year, as he was acquired on August 17 for Frank LaPorte.
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Young also provided majority of the Red Sox offense. He had three hits and drove in four runs in the 8-0 victory. It is hard to imagine that he had a better all around day on the diamond.
With the no hitter, Young joined Larry Corcoran as the only two pitchers to throw three no hitters. The duo would later be joined by Bob Feller, Sandy Koufax, and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers with at least three no hitters.
Young also set a record as the oldest pitcher to throw a no hitter when he dominated the Highlanders at 41 years, 3 months old. It took until Ryan’s seventh no hitter in 1990, achieved at 43 years of age, until someone surpassed Young’s record.
That season would end up as the final truly dominant year of Young’s long career. He ended 1908 with a 21-15 record, but had a 1.26 ERA and a 0.893 WHiP. In his 36 appearances, 33 of which were starts, he had 30 complete games and 299 innings, as he struck out 150 batters against just 37 walks.
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Cy Young was one of the true legends of the game. On this day in 1908, he added another page to his impressive resume, becoming the second pitcher with three career no hitters.