MLB History: Justin Verlander joins three no hitter club

On Sunday, Justin Verlander became the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw at least three no hitters. Let’s look back at the other members of the club.

With the final out of his start on Sunday, Justin Verlander may have cemented his place in Cooperstown. He set down the final 26 batters he faced, allowing just a walk to Cavan Biggio, the second batter he faced. As Bo Bichette grounded Verlander’s 120th pitch of the game to third, he became the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw three no hitters.

Verlander may well have cemented another legacy builder with this outing. He is tied with Domingo German with 17 wins, and leads the American League in ERA and strikeouts. Should he continue strong down the stretch, it would not be a surprise to see Verlander earn his second Cy Young award, and possibly, win the pitching Triple Crown for the second time.

He has also joined a fraternity with some very recognizable names. He has placed himself amongst some of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, names that evoke images of greatness. Verlander is now a part of that group, a pitcher whose memory will last forever.

Now that Justin Verlander has fired his third career no hitter, let us look back at the other pitchers to reach that milestone.

Larry Corcoran

For a five year span, Larry Corcoran was one of the best pitchers in the National League. His dominance did not take long to be established.

Corcoran fired the fifth no hitter in MLB history as a rookie in 1880, blanking the Boston Red Caps on August 19 in a 6-0 victory. Two years later, on September 20, 1882, Corcoran became the first pitcher to throw multiple no hitters, when he blanked the Worcester Worcesters (creative name there). He was not content to end his dominance there, as on June 17, 1884, he fired his third no hitter, shutting down the infamous Providence Greys 6-0, giving Corocoran three of the first 14 no hitters thrown in the majors. Interestingly, Pud Galvin, who fired his first no hitter the day after Corcoran threw his, also threw his second no hitter to follow Corcoran’s third.

For that five year stretch, Corcoran was a star. He posted a 170-83 record over that time, with a 2.23 ERA and a 1.079 WHiP, striking out 1076 batters with only 438 walks in his 2279 innings. He won over 30 games four times in that span, and led the NL in wins, ERA, and strikeouts at various points in time.

However, after 1884, his career was essentially over. He pitched in only 14 more games over the next three years, with just seven victories. Corcoran is the only member of this list, aside from Verlander, not to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Of course, that is partially due to his eight year career, but he also passed away from Bright’s Disease in 1891, his career long forgotten when the Hall of Fame was opened in 1936.

For a brief time, Larry Corcoran was one of the brightest stars in the National League. By throwing those three no hitters, he established his place in MLB history.

Cy Young

In a time when pitchers would throw until their arms fell off, Cy Young was a marvel.

Considered one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, his resume was quite extensive. He won a record 511 games over his 22 year career, and won at least 20 games in 16 of those seasons. Young was one of the first stars to sign in the American League, giving the upstart major league legitimacy. Overall, he not only had his 511-315 record, but also posted a 2.63 ERA and a 1.130 WHiP, while holding the all time record for innings, complete games, games started, and batters faced.

Young also held the all time no hitter record as well. He threw his first no hitter on September 28, 1897, doing so as a 30 year old with the Cleveland Spiders. Young threw his second no hitter on May 5, 1904, as the Boston Americans blanked the Philadelphia Athletics 3-0. Finally, on June 30, 1908, the 41 year old Young threw his third and final no hitter, shutting down the New York Highlanders 8-0 as he became the oldest pitcher to throw such a game.

The accolades did not stop when his career came to an end. Young was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937, a part of the second class to be enshrined in Cooperstown. When he passed away in 1955, an award was created and given his name, given to the best pitcher in the league that season.

Cy Young left an indelible mark on MLB history, setting numerous records that will never be broken. It is fitting that e would be one of the pitchers to throw at least three no hitters as well.

Bob Feller

Bob Feller announced his arrival in the majors with aplomb, striking out 15 batters in his first start for the Cleveland Indians. Regarded as the hardest thrower of his time, Feller was a dominant force for the Tribe.

Feller also made certain that he started the 1940 season off on the right foot. On April 16, he threw his first no hitter, shutting down the Chicago White Sox 1-0 on Opening Day. That is still the only no hitter thrown on Opening Day in MLB history.

After missing most of four years due to World War 2, Feller picked up where he left off. His second career no hitter came on April 30, 1946, as he shut down the Yankees in another 1-0 victory. The third and final no hitter came on July 1, 1951, the first game of a double header, and the last season when Feller was dominant.

As impressive as his career had been, one has to wonder what Feller would have accomplished had WW2 not happened. He finished his career with a 266-162 record, along with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.316 WHiP. Feller led the league in strikeouts seven times, and walks four times, as he notched 2581 strikeouts, and allowed 1764 walks, in his 3827 innings.

Bob Feller threw hard, had some wildness, and could be intimidating to face. Those elements added up to a Hall of Fame career, and his becoming the third pitcher to throw three no hitters.

Sandy Koufax

Just as Larry Corcoran had a brief span of brilliance, so too did Sandy Koufax. A struggling pitcher for his first six major league seasons, Koufax dominated for his final six years before retiring due to an arthritic elbow.

Koufax did not throw his first no hitter until June 30, 1962, blanking the expansion New York Mets 5-0. It was the first Dodgers no hitter since they moved from Brooklyn, and the first they threw at Dodger Stadium (Bo Belinsky threw a no hitter for the Los Angeles Angels nearly two months prior).

From that point, no hitters were an annual event for Koufax. He threw his second against the San Francisco Giants, blanking the Dodgers rivals 8-0 on May 11, 1963. Then, on June 4, 1964, Koufax tied the record, shutting down the Phillies 3-0. The record finally fell on September 9, 1965, as Koufax notched his fourth career no hitter in a 1-0 victory over the Cubs.

Over the course of his career, Koufax was a seven time All Star, won three pitching Triple Crowns, three Cy Young awards, and was the 1963 NL MVP. He led the league in wins three times, had five ERA titles, and led the league in strikeouts four times. Overall, he posted a 165-87 record with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.106 WHiP, striking out 2396 batters with 817 walks in his 2324.1 innings. Koufax, on the strength of those six years, was named to the Hall of Fame in 1972.

One has to wonder what heights Sandy Koufax would have reached had his elbow remained healthy. As it was, he established his place in MLB history with a brilliant final six seasons.