The 1876 St. Louis Brown Stockings

Baseball is the sport of the summer.  This summer soccer has been very popular since the World Cup was held this year.  But baseball will always take the cap.  I am a huge baseball fan and grew up playing softball myself.  I guess because I played the game, I enjoy it more than some others.  I really get into the strategy of it all and can sit on the edge of my seat when certain batters are up or when a pitcher needs to throw a particular pitch.  Being a fan of the Los Angeles Angels (I wish they were still called the California Angels, but I digress) I don’t get to see that much in the way of amazing pitching.  It seems that every year we have a pitching problem and it becomes our “achilles heal”.  But when you do witness amazing pitching, there’s nothing in baseball that’s better (ok, maybe the occasional Grand Slam).  No-Hitters are rare, but rather exciting and there have been quite a few this season.  But let’s reminisce on the very first No-Hitter

Today in 1876 was the first time a Major League Baseball pitcher had ever thrown a No-Hitter.  A No-Hitter is when one of the teams playing has had no hits the entire game.  But the game must be at least the full nine innings to be considered such.  The pitcher who prevents the opposing team from getting their hits is said to have “thrown a no-hitter”.  The first No-Hitter was thrown by George Bradley from the St. Louis Brown Stockings.  They played the Hartford Dark Blues and beat them 2-0.  What?  The St. Louis Brown Stockings?  I know, what a name.  Glad they are now the Cardinals.