Johnny Vander Meer

Johnny Vander Meer
Johnny Vander Meer in 1948
Pitcher
Born: November 2, 1914(1914-11-02) Midland Park, New Jersey
Died: October 6, 1997(1997-10-06) (aged 82) Tampa, Florida
Batted: Switch	Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 22, 1937 for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
May 7, 1951 for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics
Win–loss record	119–121
Earned run average	3.44
Strikeouts	1,294
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (1937–1943, 1946–1949) Chicago Cubs (1950) Cleveland Indians (1951)
Career highlights and awards
4× All-Star selection (1938, 1939, 1942, 1943) World Series champion (1940) Threw back-to-back no-hitters in 1938

John Samuel "Double no-hit" Vander Meer (November 2, 1914 – October 6, 1997) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1937 through 1951. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1937–1949), Chicago Cubs (1950) and Cleveland Indians (1951) and is most notable as being the only MLB pitcher to throw two consecutive no-hitters.

Vander Meer threw left-handed and batted as a switch hitter. He was born in Midland Park, New Jersey. A four-time All-Star, Vander Meer compiled a 119–121 record with 1294 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA in 2104⅔ innings over a 13-year Major League career. Along with Tim Lincecum (2008–2010), Randy Johnson (1999–2002), and Warren Spahn (1949–52), Vander Meer is one of only four NL pitchers since 1940 to lead the league in strikeouts in three straight seasons (1941–43). Just those four and Dizzy Dean (1932–35) have done it since 1931. He had 29 career shutouts.

Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history to pitch no-hitters in two consecutive starts. On June 11, 1938, he no-hit the Boston Bees at Crosley Field. Four nights later, in the first night game played at Ebbets Field, he no-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers. After his double no-hit achievement, Reds management wanted Vander Meer to change his uniform number to "00" but he declined.^{[citation needed]}

In 1952, having washed out of the majors, Vander Meer was still hanging on to the game, pitching in the Texas League for Tulsa.^{[citation needed]} Fourteen years after he made history in the majors, Vander Meer no-hit Beaumont 12–0.^{[citation needed]}

Vander Meer was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1958. He died in Tampa, Florida, at 82 years of age.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Baseball Almanac Account
• Johnny Vander Meer at Find a Grave

Achievements
Preceded by Bill Dietrich Johnny Vander Meer	No-hitter pitcher June 11, 1938 June 15, 1938	Succeeded by Johnny Vander Meer Monte Pearson
Awards
Preceded by Kirby Higbe	National League Strikeout Champion 1941–1943	Succeeded by Bill Voiselle