Pirates History: Nick Maddox Youngest Pitcher to Throw No Hitter

Nick Maddox had a brief, but brilliant, career in the majors. On this day in 1907, the Pittsburgh Pirates phenom became the youngest player to throw a major league no hitter.

There are some who, looking back through baseball history, refer to Nick Maddox as his generation’s Mark Fidrych. Like Fidrych, Maddox was a dominant pitcher in his youth, who had a sudden rise to stardom and an equally rapid fall. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher had far more than that one glorious season of success.

Maddox made an immediate impact when he became a professional. Debuting with the Cumberland Rooters in 1906, he moved on to the Wheeling Stogies in teh Central League. Although his 13-10 record was not impressive, Maddox became known for his impressive arm, getting the attention of the Pirates.

He came up to the majors later that year, and became a sensation. His legend grew in his first two outings, both complete game victories, before he had his crowning moment on this day in 1907. Maddox shut down the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers), taking a 2-1 victory, becoming the youngest pitcher in baseball history to throw a no hitter.

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That no hitter would be significant for the Pirates in other ways as well. It would be the last no hitter thrown by a Pittsburgh pitcher until 1951, when Cliff Chambers threw one over the Braves. It would also be the last no hitter throw in in Pittsburgh until 1971, when Bob Gibson shut down the Pirates.

The first Pirates pitcher to win his first four appearances, he finished the year with a solid 5-1 record, posting a 0.83 ERA and a 0.833 WHiP. Maddox finished fourth in the NL with 22 wins and a .742 winning percentage the following year, and had a solid 1909 campaign. However, he was out of the majors by the end of 1910, his stuff suddenly gone.

Maddox toiled in the minors for the next four years, but never returned to the majors again. He had a solid year with eh Kansas City Blues in 1911, posting a 22-13 record, but was unable to continue that production. After a disastrous 1914 season that saw the former phenom post a 3-13 record, he was out of organized ball.

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Despite a short career, Nick Maddox pitched his way into baseball history. On this day in 1907, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie became the youngest pitcher to throw a no hitter.