Cincinnati Reds Tom Seaver Finally Throws No Hitter
By David Hill
Tom Seaver came agonizingly close to pitching a no hitter several times for the New York Mets. When he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, he was still searching for that elusive no hitter. On this day in 1978, Seaver finally completed his elusive gem.
One would have forgiven Tom Seaver if he wondered if he would ever get a no hitter. He had taken no hitters into the ninth inning on three different occasions, only to allow a hit each time. To come so agonizingly close, and with the degree of difficulty that such a performance has, Seaver certainly had to have his doubts.
Traded from the New York Mets to the Cincinnati Reds, it became highly unlikely that the Mets would see their first no hitter in franchise history come from Seaver. Yet, he was still close to the top of his game, with each outing potentially being the one that he got over the hump.
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
That day finally came on this day in 1978. Facing the St. Louis Cardinals, Seaver recorded the only no hitter of his career. He did not have his most dominant stuff, walking three while recording only three strikeouts, but Seaver was able to use his defense to great effect. He had 15 groundouts, as he kept the Reds stellar infield defense busy all game.
It wasn’t easy for Seaver. In the second, after a walk, a stolen base and an error, the Cardinals had Keith Hernandez on third with two outs. Seaver then walked Ken Reitz to put runners on the corners, but he was able to end the threat by getting Mike Phillips to ground out to second. Seaver would then allow only one more baserunner, walking Jerry Mumphrey to lead off the ninth, before finishing off his gem by getting George Hendrick to ground out to first.
Next: Barry Bonds defends David Ortiz
Tom Seaver may not have been dominant on this day in 1978, but he was good enough to fire the only no hitter in his career. This would be yet another reason as to why Mets fans would lament his trade to Cincinnati.