John Samuel Vander Meer (November 2, 1914 - October 6, 1997) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1937 through 1951, he played for the Cincinnati Reds (1937-1949), Chicago Cubs (1950) and Cleveland Indians (1951). Vander Meer threw left-handed and batted as a switch hitter. He was born in Midland Park, New Jersey. A four-time All-Star, Vander Meer compiled a 119-121 record with 1294 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA in 2104.2 innings over a 13-year Major League career. He had 29 career shutouts, but two of the three he recorded in 1938 will be remembered most.
Vander Meer is the only pitcher in major league history to pitch two consecutive no-hitters. On June 11, 1938, he no-hit the Boston Bees at Crosley Field. Four nights later, in the first night game played at Ebbets Field, he no-hit the Brooklyn Dodgers. Leo Durocher made the final out in the second no-hitter. One of two balls [1] that survives from this historic game is in the Seth Swirsky collection. After his double no-hit achievement, Reds' management wanted Vander Meer to change his uniform number to "00." He politely declined.
In 1952, having washed out of the majors, Vander Meer was still hanging on to the game, pitching in the Texas League for Tulsa. Fourteen years after he made history in the majors, Vander Meer no-hit Beaumont 12-0. Vander Meer was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1958. He died in Tampa, Florida, at 82 years of age.
See also[]
- List of MLB individual streaks
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- Baseball Almanac Account
| Preceded by: Bill Dietrich Johnny Vander Meer |
No-hitter pitcher June 11, 1938 June 15, 1938 |
Succeeded by: Johnny Vander Meer Monte Pearson |
| Preceded by: Kirby Higbe |
National League Strikeout Champion 1941-1943 |
Succeeded by: Bill Voiselle |