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Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Feller makes Opening Day history with no-hitter
By Larry Schwartz
Special to ESPN.com


April 16, 1940

Cleveland Indians flame-thrower Bob Feller begins the season with an overpowering performance, becoming the first pitcher in history to fire a no-hitter on Opening Day. Pitching before a crowd of 14,000 in Chicago, including his parents, the 21-year-old right-hander beats the White Sox, 1-0.

It takes an outstanding play in the ninth inning by Indians second baseman Ray Mack to preserve Feller's first no-hitter. With two outs, Taft Wright rips a grounder to Mack's left. A fine stab knocks down the ball, and Mack picks it up and throws to first, getting Wright by a step.

Feller, who already has pitched three one-hitters, strikes out eight and walks five (four in the first three innings).

The Indians score the game's only run on Jeff Heath's single and catcher Rollie Hemsley's two-out triple in the fourth inning off Edgar Smith.





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