On This Date in 1969


Jim Palmer, healthy again after two seasons of back and arm problems, threw the only no-hitter of his career on August 13th, 1969. At Memorial Stadium, Palmer shut down the Oakland A's -- though he did pitch around slugger Reggie Jackson  -- who came into the night with 42 home runs and a chance at Roger Maris' then-record of 61. Jim walked Reggie three times, while taming the rest of the Oakland bats, such as Sal Bando and Bert Campaneris. Overall, he struck out eight, and walked six in Baltimore's 8 - 0 victory.
Palmer received plenty of offensive support: Brooks Robinson smacked a three-run homer, while leadoff man Don Buford had three hits, scored two runs and drove in two.
The no-hitter was one of six shutouts that season for Palmer, who finished 1969 with a 16 - 4 record. He went onto win 20 or more in eight of the next nine seasons, earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

(This photo was from the 2012 BAT Dinner in New York.)

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