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chrisoldsFiled under: Beckett.com, MLB | Tags: All-Star, baseball, Beckett, BLue Jays, Cleveland, Dave Stieb, Jerry Browne, Jim Traber, No-hitter, Toronto
Dave Stieb turns 51 today. Most of you reading this are probably saying, “Dave who?”, but Dave who was one of my favorite pitchers back in the eighties. A seven-time All-Star, he had plenty of good seasons with the Blue Jays. In a six-day span in late September of 1988, however, the baseball gods were totally messing with him.
Fresh off of a 4-hit shutout against Cleveland in his previous start, Dave proceeded to take a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Indians. After retiring the first two batters, he gave up a ground ball single to Julio Franco. He ended up with a one-hit shutout. Who wouldn’t be happy with that?
In his next start six days later Dave took a no-hitter into the ninth against Baltimore. Again with two outs and two strikes on the batter, he lost his no-no when pinch-hitter Jim Traber dropped a soft fly ball into right field. Again he ended up with a one-hit shutout.
Two consecutive no-hit bids lost with two outs in the ninth. That would drive me nuts.
Dave liked it so much he lost another one the following season. This time he was perfect through eight and after getting the first two batters in the ninth to strike out swinging he gave up back-to-back hits and lost the shutout as well as the no-hitter. He still got the victory, but come on.
After all of that he dared to try again. Against Cleveland on September 2,1990, he took a no-hitter into the ninth. And with two out he had to face Jerry Browne. Browne promptly smacked a liner into right field. Right into the glove of Junior Felix.
Finally. And all of the Dave Stieb fans of the world breathed a sigh of relief.
So Happy Birthday, Dave, and thanks for the memories.
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didnt he smoke in the bullpen?
Comment by Loduba July 22, 2008 @ 1:27 pmHe was good….terrorized the Tigers when they were in the same division too.
Comment by bhast16 July 22, 2008 @ 2:37 pmDuring a Blue Jays/Indians game in 1990 at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, I was by the Blue Jays’ bullpen, hoping Dave Stieb would sign a card for me. After 20 minutes of pitching, he signed nothing and I left upset. Lo and behold, 2 days later, he pitched that no-no against the Indians.
Comment by Mike July 22, 2008 @ 4:00 pmAt least someone isnt\’ screaming and yelling the f-word all the time.
I liked Dave Stieb.
Comment by Iamgod July 22, 2008 @ 9:00 pmAnyone who says, “Dave who?” needs to be slapped and banished from ever having anything to do with baseball again. A high quality pitcher, one of the greats of the 1980s, just shy of a Hall of Famer.
Comment by JT July 23, 2008 @ 3:03 am