Yogi Berra: Two No-Hitters by the Same Pitcher in 1951 and a WS Perfect Game

Yogi Berra is one of many catchers that has caught three no-hitters.  Hall of Fame catcher Ray Schalk, a mainstay behind the plate with the Chicago White Sox from 1912-28, holds the record by catching four no-hit games.

But Berra is the only catcher that has caught two no-hitters tossed by the same pitcher in a single season and remains the only backstop to call a perfect no-hit game in the World Series.

On July 12, 1951, Allie Reynolds started for the New York Yankees at Cleveland's Municipal against  "Rapid" Robert Feller.

Eleven days earlier, Feller had no-hit the Detroit Tigers, although he allowed a run.

Neither Reynolds nor Feller allowed a hit through the first five innings.  Leadoff batter Mickey Mantle doubled with one out in the sixth inning for the Yankees' first hit, but he was stranded. 

Gene Woodling hit a seventh-inning home run for the game's only run.

The Yankees managed only four hits and one run against Feller, who went the distance, but Woodling's home run was enough.  Berra was 1-for-4 with a bunt single in the ninth.

Yes, Mickey Mantle batted leadoff and Yogi Berra bunted with one out.

After Reynolds retired the Tribe in the seventh inning, he asked Eddie Lopat if he thought he would get the no-hitter.  Lopat remained silent.

Reynolds had allowed three walks and nothing else when he faced the future mayor of Mexico City, Roberto Francisco "Bobby" Avila.  Reynolds struck him out to compete the no-hitter.

On Sept. 28, 1951,  Reynolds started the night cap of the double-header against the Boston Red Sox.  The Yankees scored eight runs in the game that would clinch a tie for the pennant as Reynolds faced Ted Williams with two outs in the ninth inning.

Reynolds had retired left-handed batter Charley Maxwell, who would become a Yankees nemesis a few years later as a Tiger, on a grounder for the first out.  He walked Dom DiMaggio and then Johnny Pesky took a called third strike for Reynolds' ninth strikeout.

Ted Williams was the hitter.

Williams hit a foul pop fly that Berra dropped.  Reynolds was unperturbed.  He told Berra not to fret and induced Williams to hit an almost identical foul pop up.  Berra caught the ball as Reynolds caught him.

Everyone is familiar with the third no-hitter Berra caught.  Don Larsen is the only pitcher to hurl a perfect, no-hit game in the World Series, while Berra is the only catcher to call a perfect World Series game.

Berra was an outstanding defensive catcher.  His cat-like movements allowed him to make plays, especially on bunts.  He was one of the great hitters from the seventh inning on and the greatest catcher in baseball history according to many.