Cardinals History: Murry Dickson Pitches Spring Training No Hitter
Occasionally, a combined no hitter will be pitched during Spring Training. On this day in 1948, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Murry Dickson became the first pitcher to throw a nine inning no hitter in Spring Training.
Prior to 1948, there had been two no hitters thrown during Spring Training. On both occasions, multiple pitchers had combined for the no-no, as those players were simply trying to build up the endurance to perform in the regular season. Complete games, even back then, were unheard of in March.
That was, until this day in 1948. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Murry Dickson was on a roll, setting down batter after batter in his outing. When the dust had settled, and the final out was recorded, Dickson had fired the first complete game no hitter in Spring Training history.
Instead of being a sign of things to come for the 1948 campaign, it was the high point of the year for Dickson. He struggled throughout the year, posting a 12-16 record with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.355 WHiP. As high as those numbers were, Dickson was actually around league average that season, but his statistics were a far cry from what he had accomplished in the previous two years.
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If there was such a thing as a “crafty righty,” Murry Dickson would have been the poster child for the title. He would throw a variety of pitches from every angle possible, and even attempt to create his own unique offerings. A former manager had nicknamed him Thomas Edison for his inventiveness, which helped him win 172 games in the Majors.
Dickson had other moments of glory. He started Game Seven of the 1946 World Series against the Red Sox, earning the victory as the Cardinals won the title. While pitching for a woeful Pirates team in 1951, Dickson won 20 of the team’s 64 games, finishing ninth in the MVP vote.
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A decent starting pitcher, Murry Dickson had his moments of glory. Yet, it was on this day in 1948 when he was at his best, throwing the first complete game no hitter in the history of Spring Training.