The Ten Unlikeliest No-Hitters in MLB History

By (Analyst) on July 11, 2009

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PHOENIX - JUNE 11:  Starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants reacts during the major league baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 11, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants

This article is about no-hit bids by young or not usually good pitchers. Some of the weirdest no-hitters ever, like the Houston Astros 2003 bid, Dock Ellis's LSD game, and Bill Stoneman's 1969 no-hitter was in just the ninth game for the Expos.

You probably won't agree with me on most of my selections, and this article is in chronological order.

If there's a major "weird" no-hit pitcher that you think I've left off, just leave me a comment and I'll add them.

Virgil Trucks | Two no-hitters in 1952

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Virgil Trucks threw two no-hitters for the Detroit Tigers in 1952...and still went 5-19.

Bobo Holloman | May 6, 1953

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Holloman's no-hitter, in his first career start, was so unlikely, there was only two photographers there to document the game. Ironically, Holloman's career win-loss record was 3-7 with an ERA of 5.23. He never played another MLB season, and was sent down from the St. Louis Browns in June 19, 1953.

Bill Stoneman | Arpil 17, 1969, Fifth MLB start, ninth game in Montreal Expos history

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Stoneman played just eight Major League seasons, with six of the seasons with Montreal. Before coming to the Expos, Stoneman was a reliever for the Cubs.

Dock Ellis | June 12, 1970: LSD game

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Ellis claims he through his 1970 no-hitter while he was under the influence of LSD. If someone throws a no-hitter while they're high, they don't deserve the honor of a no-hitter.

Wilson Alvarez | Aug. 11, 1991, no hitter in his second career game

24 May 1995: Pitcher Wilson Alvarez of the Chicago White Sox practices throwing at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois before the game against the Texas Rangers. The White Sox defeated the Rangers 10-6.

Alvarez threw his no-hitter in just his second career game. Alvarez went on to have a long and pretty good career as a starter.

AJ Burnett 9 walks in a no-hitter | May 12, 2001

3 Jun 2001:  A.J. Burnett #43 of the Florida Marlins winds up during the game against the New York Mets at the Pro Players Stadium in Miami, Florida.  The Marlins defeated the Mets 1-0.Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter  /Allsport

Anyone who can walk nine men and not give up a run is a good pitcher. Anyone who can walk nine guys an not give up a hit is an excellent pitcher. Now I know why the Yankees threw so much money at him.

Bud Smith | September 3rd, 2001

ST. LOUIS - APRIL 11:  Pitcher Bud Smith #52 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during the MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on April 11, 2002. The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 6-5. (Photo by Elsa Hasc

Bud Smith pitched in just two big league seasons, 2001 and 2002. Smith had a career win-loss record of 7-8, with a 4.95 ERA. Smith finished the 2001 season 6-3 with a 3.82 ERA, finishing 4th in the NL Rookie of the Year award. Smith had the final no-hitter before the tragic events of 9/11.

Houston Astros combined no-hitter | June 11, 2003

PITTSBURGH - JULY 11:  National League All-Star Roy Oswalt #44 of the Houston Astros pitches during the 77th MLB All-Star Game at PNC Park on July 11, 2006 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Roy Oswlat pitched just one inning before leaving the game with an injury. The Astros then bring in Peter Munro for two-and-two-thirds inning. He's replaced with Kirk Saarloos, who throws one-and-one-third innings.

Saarloos was replaced by Brad Lidge for two innings, after that Octavio Dotel comes in for an inning, and then Billy Wagner comes in for the ninth. None of them gave up a hit. The largest combined no-hitter, ever.

Clay Buchholz | Sept. 1, 2007, Buchholz's second career game

SEATTLE - JULY 23:  Starting pitcher Clay Buchholz #61 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Seattle Mariners on July 23, 2008 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Clay Buchholz had an amazing no-hitter in just his second career game. Buchholz made the Red Sox's starting rotation for 2008, but went just 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA and was sent back to AAA Pawtucket.

Jonathan Sanchez | July 10, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 7:  Jonathan Sanchez #53 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park September 7, 2007 in San Francisco, California.   (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Sanchez was 2-8 at the time of his no-hitter, and Randy Johnson was scheduled to start. Johnson went on the DL. Regular catcher Bengie Molina couldn't play because his wife was in labor, so backup catcher Eli Whiteside was called on, making just his 13th career start.

Sanchez lost a perfect game bid when thirdbaseman Juan Uribe made an error on a routine ground ball. And he almost lost his no-hit bid if it wasn't for a spectacular catch by center fielder Aaron Rowand. The epitome of weird.

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