Boston Red Sox: A look at the top no-hitters in franchise history
By Rick McNair
Rube Foster played his entire five-year career with the Boston Red Sox finishing 58-33 with a 2.36 ERA. Foster also managed the first no-hitter at Fenway Park and that is notable. Even more enjoyable was the victory was against the New York Yankees.
Foster’s game took place on June 21st of 1916 and the box score shows three walks and three strikeouts. The Red Sox scored a run in the first and that was all that was needed in the 2-0 win for the then 28-year-old right-hander.
Foster “left” baseball on several periods over contract issues. After the World Series victory of 1916 Foster “retired” to his farm. A raise brought him back in 1917 and after that season another holdout ensued. Foster remained on the books for several different teams before pitching for three seasons in the Pacific Coast League (1923-25).
The home plate umpire was George Hildebrand, who had a brief MLB career in 1902, but is often credited with inventing the spitball while playing in the minors. Hildebrand was also involved in a controversy for ending a World Series game because of darkness. Eventually, the proceeds of the game were donated to charity.
The catcher was Pinch Thomas, who had played on two World Series championship teams as a Red Sox catcher. A defensive specialist with a .237 career average and little power – two career home runs.