Don Cardwell throws no-hitter in Cubs debut -- video of final outs

Don Cardwell was only 24 years old on May 15, 1960, but he already had three seasons as a major league starter under his belt, all of them losing ones with the Phillies. But maybe things were turning around. Just two days earlier Philadelphia had swapped Cardwell and Ed Bouchee to the Chicago Cubs for Tony Taylor and Cal Neeman. It wasn't exactly a banner trade -- both the Phils and Cubs were second division teams, and neither would ride this exchange to a pennant.

Still, there was some real excitement in the air when Cardwell took the mound for his first appearance as a Cub. He was facing the Cardinals at Wrigley Field in the second game of a doubleheader. Wrigley was packed with 33,543 fans eager to see the Midwest rivals go at it. The Cards had won the first contest.

In the second, Cardwell retired the first batter, walked Alex Grammas, and then put down 26 straight for a no-hitter. He struck out seven, including Stan Musial, who appeared as a pinch-hitter in the 8th inning. In the process, Cardwell made the greatest pitching debut with a team in Major League history. No other pitcher had thrown a no-hitter in his first appearance in a new uniform.

As a result, Cardwell got an immediate $2,000 boost in salary, to $10,000. He'd go on to finish the year with a 9-16 record, and much later in his career would start 21 games for the 1969 Mets.

Enjoy the remarkably crisp video of the Cardinals' ninth below -- it includes a couple of heart-stoppers.

Comments

[marty lurie]

Absolutely fabulous video. I can't tell you what a thrill it was to watch the conclusion of the game. This is my tenth year of my pregame show Right Off The Bat heard throughout Northern California before each A's game on their flagship radio station. I'll certainly mention this tomorrow during my show.
Don Cardwell is a former Miami Marlin
I grew up in Miami and remember when he was an outstanding prospect in the International League.
Thanks again,
Marty Lurie

[3Com Park]

Wow. I remember listening to this game with my dad.

Definitely the highlight of my day.

[Gary Sosniecki]

What a thrill to see this video -- and to hear the wonderful Jack Brickhouse again! This was my first trip to Wrigley Field -- 9 years old, with my dad. We sat in the second row of the left-field bleachers, in the corner near the closed-off center-field section, then headed onto the field the long way, around through the box seats, in the celebration after the game. We walked to the pitcher's mound, and my dad told me to scoop up some dirt and put it in my pocket, which I did. On the drive home, I told him I wanted to get some more dirt the next time. He said, "Son, you'll never be on that field again." And he was right. Thank you for helping me live one of the great days of my life.

[Eric S.]

Where did somebody find this footage? I know that WGN has shown the last out over and over again, but I seem to recall a lot of the old WGN footage was taped over since they recycled tapes. I never knew they had the full 9th inning footage somewhere.

[John Voit]

What a great video and memory. My dad and I were at that double header and sat in the upper deck third base side. My son and daughter and I will be at tonight's Sept 2nd 2008 Cubs vrs Houston game and I'm hoping for another memorable event. This is just another reason why Chicago loves the Cubs and Wrigley Field.