With Opening Day less than a week away, what better way to build excitement than by looking at Opening Day history? Only one no-hitter has been thrown on Opening Day in MLB. The pitcher? Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians.
On April 16, 1940, the Indians started the season on the road at the Chicago White Sox. Opening Day always brings plenty of magic, but nothing close to Feller’s performance that day. His no-hitter that day was the first of three throughout his career, and it led to a 1-0 Tribe victory.
Feller recognized that the feat required its fair share of luck. Not only was Feller wild and erratic early on, walking five batters, but he needed the help of the official scorer. Cleveland’s centerfielder Roy Weatherly dropped a fly ball in the second inning as he struggled with the wind, but the scorekeeper ruled the play an error. During that same second inning, Feller struggled with his control, loading the bases with a walk. But Feller’s talent was too much in the end as he struck out Bob Kennedy to end the inning.
After that, Feller was dominant again. Between the third and ninth innings, Feller retired 20 straight batters. His only run of support was an RBI triple in the fourth, but that was all Feller would need.
Feller struck out eight on the day and helped Cleveland start the season with a 1-0 victory and record. He went on to go 27-11 in 1940 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 263 strikeouts. The 21-year old made the All-Star team and finished the season second in MVP voting.
His no-hitter on Opening Day remains the only one to date in MLB history.
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