Throwback Thursday: First Orioles No-Hitter

With all the hub-bub over last night’s no-hitter by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, this Throwback Thursday takes a look back at the first no-hitter in Orioles history. Though the franchise made stops in Milwaukee and St. Louis, the first no-hitter in Baltimore Orioles history was thrown by Hoyt Wilhelm in 1958.

The no-hitter was pretty unlikely. The 1958 Orioles were not very good (they ended a Trembley-esque 17.5 games out of first place). They were up against the New York Yankees, who were on their way to winning 92 games and the World Series.

Moreover, Hoyt Wilhelm was not a world beater. The 35-year old knuckleballer had been a reliever for most of his career, and entered the game with a record of 2-10.

There were lots of subplots to this game. Gus Triandos was a former Yankee, looking for some revenge on his former club. Triandos hit the decisive home run in the game. The Yankees’ Don Larson threw a gem of his own, pitching six scoreless innings.

But the real story was Wilhelm. The knuckleball was literally unhittable. Yankees switch-hitting slugger Mickey Mantle faced the righty Wilhelm right-handed, in an effort to get something going. The last batter of the game, Hank Bauer (who later managed in Baltimore), tried to bunt.  Eight strikeouts, two walks, and no hits. Also 28 frustrated Yankee at-bats.