This day in baseball: Dinneen’s no-hitters

On May 12, 1910, Athletics right-hander Chief Bender threw a 4-0 no-hitter at Shibe Park against the Cleveland Naps (Indians). Bender issued just one walk, spoiling his shot at a perfect game.

The home plate umpire for the game was Bill Dinneen, who tossed a no-hit game of his own against the White Sox while playing with the Pilgrims (Red Sox) on September 27, 1905. This performance by Chief Bender made Dinneen the only person in big league history to both throw a no-hitter and call one as an umpire. Dinneen served as home plate umpire for five total no-hitters in his career as an umpire.

Bill Dinneen, 1900 (public domain)

This day in baseball: Dinneen’s complete season

On October 10, 1904, 41-game winner Jack Chesbro of the Highlanders let loose a wild pitch in the ninth inning of the final game of the season.  This snapped a 2-2 tie, allowing Pilgrims right-hander Bill Dinneen to claim victory as the Boston team claimed the AL pennant.  Dinneen finished the year having completed every game he started during the season, throwing 337.2 consecutive innings without relief during his streak of 37 consecutive complete games.

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Bill Dinneen (The Sporting News)

This day in baseball: The Great Rivalry is born

The first game of what would become baseball’s fiercest rivalry took place on May 7, 1903 at Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston.  The Pilgrims won 6-2 over the Highlanders, as Hobe Ferris belted a home run and Chick Stahl hit two triples.  Meanwhile, Highlanders pitcher Snake Wiltse gave up thirteen hits in the loss.  Today, these two teams are known as the Boston Red Sox (the Pilgrims) and the New York Yankees (the Highlanders).

TheGreedyPinstripes.com