Description
Book SynopsisThe average pitcher has about a.000645 chance of throwing a no-hitter. In the spring of 1938, Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Johnny Vander Meer pitched two, back to back. The feat has never been duplicated. Double No-Hit offers an inning-by-inning account of that historic second consecutive no-hitter, accomplished during the first night game in New York City.
Trade Review“Johnny Vander Meer’s extraordinary feat of pitching back-to-back no-hitters is truly one of baseball’s unique records. The story of how he went about pitching no-hitters four days apart deserves to be told for future generations of baseball fans. The phenomenal accomplishment is a record that is unlikely to be tied or broken.”—Nolan Ryan, Hall of Fame pitcher and CEO and president of the Texas Rangers
“There was out-of-the-blue, lottery-winner magic in Vander Meer’s accomplishment, two no-hitters in a row, something never done before or since, probably never to be repeated. Pose! Smile! Pop! That magic has been captured here in fine detail and preserved between the covers of
Double No-Hit by James Johnson. A terrific job.”—Leigh Montville, author of
Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero“The history of baseball is abundant with remarkable, even mythical, stories of achievement. And meticulous research will unearth these heroic feats for modern-day readers. I encourage you to read and marvel at Jim Johnson’s biographical journey with one such baseball hero who, almost seventy-five years ago, stunned the baseball world with an achievement never yet equaled and, dare say, will never be eclipsed.”—Jerry Kindall, former infielder with the Cubs, the Indians, and the Twins, and three-time NCAA baseball coach of the year
“Johnny Vander Meer’s life is defined by one of baseball’s most astonishing achievements: two amazing games pitched by a twenty-two-year-old rookie in 1938. That feat has made him the envy of all pitchers, even the greatest stars, in the subsequent generations. With thorough research and an easy, comprehensive narrative, James W. Johnson describes the no-hitters and the ups and downs of Vandy’s long but unique and enigmatic career.”—Dave Baldwin, former pitcher with the Washington Senators, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago White Sox
"The combination of Johnson's well written no-hitter recaps along with an engaging look at pre-War baseball made the book enjoyable."—Ken Massey,
Red Reporter"Every acolyte of balldom will be grateful for Johnson's research, which allows him to re-create the world of baseball in the late 1930s and 1940s."—J.C. Martin,
Arizona Daily StarTable of ContentsIntroduction
Prologue
1. Nighttime Pageantry
2. First Inning
3. Bottom of the First
4. A Second Chance
5. Second Inning
6. Third Inning
7. Fourth Inning
8. Fifth Inning
9. A Dream Come True
10. Sixth Inning
11. Seventh Inning
12. Eighth Inning
13. Ninth Inning
14. After the Game
15. Postgame
16. The Rest of the Season
17. A New Season
18. Vandy Bounces Back
19. The War and Beyond
20. A New Opportunity
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
