Posted on 12/01/2015 6:30:21 AM PST by ConservativeStatement
But in perhaps the game’s starkest good-news-bad-news case, only once did a single pitcher complete a nine-inning game without yielding a hit and still manage to lose it. The man who owns that two-faced distinction, Ken Johnson, whose otherwise middling 13-year career in the major leagues included stints with seven teams, died on Saturday in Pineville, La. He was 82.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
He pitched this game for the Houston Colt 45s before they became the Astros.
How do you have a no-hitter and lose???
Error(s) and/or walk(s).
"...the top of the ninth inning, however, Johnson helped author his own undoing; with one out, he fielded a bunt by Rose and threw wildly to first, allowing Rose to reach second. Rose scored two batters later on an error by second baseman Nellie Fox."
A walk, an error, stolen base, sacrifice fly, etc.
A “no-hitter” isn’t necessarily a “perfect game”.
Harvey haddox pitched 12 perfect and lost in the 13th
The Houston Colt 45s (Astros) were an expansion team like the New York Mets. Which means they got players from other teams’ let go’s.They often didn’t give good backing as a team to some pretty decent pitchers they had then. Pitchers need run support, obviously, not only good fielding etc. Any one of several things, if done better, could have secured Ken Johnson’s win. If I recall correctly, I believe Johnson’s bread and butter pitch was the knuckleball.
Armando Galarraga won a 1 hit no hitter. Or “the 28-out perfect game.”
Seems to be the pinnacle of his career since he’s playing for the Pericos de Puebla these days.
Although not a no-hitter, no one will ever duplicate the 1-0 game on 7/2/63. The game went 16 innings, and both starting pitchers threw complete games. Willie Mays won the game with a home run.
Haddix
Houston should have remained the Colt .45's. "Astro" is a dog's name. The New York Mets--the name sounds like a city in France--should also find a better name.
I seem to remember that he was a guest on a show, either "What's My Line" or something similar, where the panel had to figure out based on his answers to their questions that he had lost a no-hitter; it would have to have been before '67 when we moved to Japan.
Spelling not my strong suit! Some argue other games being better but to me pitching perfect against the Braves at that time was uniquely the best and if not surely tied for the best ever
His one notable record that still stands from the game.
Major League record, Most consecutive batters retired in one game (36) achieved on May 26, 1959
Mets is short for “Metropolitans.”
That name congers fond memories of 1950's baseball.
Then why don't they use that name? Since the franchise began, I have never heard them referred to as the Metropolitans or seen that name used in any newspaper or magazine.
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