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How Baseball HOFer Casey Stengel Ended Johnny Vander Meer’s No-Hitter Streak With Psychology
One of the most impressive streaks in MLB history may have been stopped by some head games by a famous manager
Former left-handed pitcher Johnny Vander Meer has owned one of big league baseball’s most impressive top streaks of all time for nearly a century — pitching two consecutive no-hitters. He appeared to possibly be well on his way to another no-no in his third start, but finally gave up a hit to an opposing batter, according to the hurler all because of some subtle psychology employed by Hall-of-Famer Casey Stengel.
Vander Meer was a flame throwing southpaw, who for a time was one of the best pitchers in baseball. During his 13-year career (1937–1943 & 1946–1951- he missed two years due to military service) he won 15 or more games five times and led the league in strikeouts three times in a row. Playing primarily for the Cincinnati Reds, he went a combined 119–120 with a 3.42 ERA.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of Vander Meer’s career came in 1938 when he was just 23 and threw two consecutive no-hitters — the only pitcher in major league history to achieve the feat. On June 11th, he skunked the Boston Braves 3–0. Four days later on the 15th, he no-hit the Brooklyn…
