The Best Pitchers Who Never Threw A No-Hitter

The no-hitter remains one of the rarest feats in Major League Baseball as only 237 complete game no-hitters have been hurled since 1901 (roughly 1.5 no-hitters per year). Let’s examine a group of pitchers who have never twirled a no-no despite possessing excellent hits-to-innings pitched ratios. The register includes pitchers with Hall of Fame credentials, several aces who flirted with no-hitters or perfect games along with an eclectic mix of wild flamethrowers and journeymen junkballers. I will also comment on the “worst” pitchers to deliver at least one no-hitter in their career (“worst” being a relative term, based on a poor hits-to-innings pitched ratio). Additional leader boards consist of the no-hit club with less than 1000 innings pitched and the “best” pitchers to fashion one or more no-hitters. I truncated the “best pitchers” list at the .900 H/IP mark (with a few exceptions). I have posted the complete spreadsheet here .

Methodology

I extracted the 1901 through 2015 pitcher data from the Lahman Database using R Studio and exported the results to Excel. I added a column to calculate hits allowed per innings pitched (HIP) and sorted the results in ascending order. The results are restricted to pitchers with more than 1000 innings pitched in their career and more games started than relief appearances.

Best Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with Zero No-Hitters

(minimum 1000 IP, 50%+ Games Started / Games) Sid Fernandez fashioned a .761 H/IP ratio during his career, ranking fourth on the All-Time list behind Nolan Ryan (.728), Clayton Kershaw (.744) and Sandy Koufax (.755). “El Sid” registered a 16-strikeout performance in a 3-2 loss to Atlanta on 7/14/1989 along with five 2-hit games. J.R. Richard led the National League with 300+ strikeouts in consecutive campaigns (1978-79), whiffing 15 batters in a game three times over the course of his career. Richard spun a one-hitter on 4/19/1980 as Reggie Smith reached on an infield single with two outs in the fourth inning. Four-time All-Star Andy Messersmith paced the Senior Circuit with 20 victories and a 1.098 WHIP, earning a runner-up finish in the 1974 NL Cy Young Award balloting. “Bluto” furnished personal-bests in ERA (2.29), games (42), games started (40), complete games (19) and innings pitched (321.2) while exceeding the 200-strikeout mark for the third time in his career during the subsequent season. Expos center fielder Pepe Mangual spoiled Messersmith’s no-hit bid on 6/4/1976 with a one-out single in the ninth frame. Sam McDowell mesmerized opposing batters throughout a six-year stretch from 1965-1970 as he registered at least 225 strikeouts per year. “Sudden Sam” whiffed a career-best 325 batsmen and claimed the ERA title with a 2.18 mark in 1965. He compiled four one-hit games in his career including back-to-back masterpieces in 1966 on April 25 (vs. the Kansas City Athletics) and May 1 (vs. the Chicago White Sox). Pedro J. Martinez took a perfect game into the tenth inning against San Diego on 6/3/1995 . The Expos tallied a run in the top of the tenth, but the Padres’ left fielder Bip Roberts doubled to start the bottom of the frame. Mel Rojas relieved Martinez and preserved the shutout. In addition to his perfect game bid, “Petey” notched three one-hit games in his career including a 17-strikeout performance against the Yankees on 9/10/1999 . Babe Ruth led the Junior Circuit with a 1.75 ERA in 1916 and eclipsed the 20-win mark in back-to-back campaigns (1916-17). The “Bambino” held Detroit to a lone safety by shortstop Donie Bush on 7/11/1917 . Ruth compiled a 2.28 ERA and a 1.159 WHIP to complement his 94-46 record. Of Bob Turley ’s four one-hitters, his elite performance on July 4, 1959 in the second game of a double-dip against the Senators stands as his greatest achievement. Julio Becquer spoiled the no-hit bid with a single to left field leading off the ninth inning, but “Bullet Bob” induced a fly out and a double-play grounder back to the mound to secure the victory. Dave Boswell amassed 20 wins for Minnesota in 1969, but his shining moment occurred three years prior. Facing the Orioles on July 30, 1966 , Boswell entered the seventh inning with a no-hitter intact. Baltimore center fielder Russ Snyder led off the frame with a single to left. Boswell finished the game with 11 whiffs, three short of his career-high. Mario Soto recorded 274 strikeouts and paced the National League with a 1.060 WHIP in ’82. He finished runner-up in the 1983 NL Cy Young balloting and registered an 18-7 mark in the subsequent season. Soto logged one-hitters against Atlanta in October 1981 and St. Louis in May 1984 . “Silent” George Hendrick slammed a four-bagger with two outs in the ninth inning, spoiling Soto’s no-hit bid and knotting the score at one apiece. Cincinnati backstop Brad Gulden responded with a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame off Bruce Sutter. Jose DeLeon carried a no-no into the seventh inning of a contest on 8/24/1984 vs. Cincinnati. Dave “Cobra” Parker’s base knock with two runners aboard tallied the go-ahead run for the Reds. The Bucs lost the game, 2-0, one of 19 losses for DeLeon during the ’84 season. The right-hander rebounded to record consecutive campaigns with 200+ strikeouts (1988-89). Stretching the term “effectively wild” to the breaking point, Tommy Byrne compiled a winning record (85-69) in the big leagues despite accruing more walks than strikeouts in every season that he pitched at least 50 innings. In a 12-0 whitewashing of Detroit on 6/23/1949 , Byrne twirled a complete game shutout while allowing six bases on balls. Shortstop Johnny Lipon provided the lone hit for the Tigers with an eighth-inning single. Roger Clemens registered 13 two-hitters in his career, but never held the opposition hitless. The “Rocket” managed a lone one-hitter during the regular season against Cleveland on 9/10/1988 . Dave Clark spoiled Clemens’ no-hit bid with a single to center field in the top half of the eighth inning. In the 2000 ALCS, Clemens dominated the Mariners in Game 4 at Seattle, striking out 15 and yielding a double to Al Martin to begin the seventh frame. Larry Cheney led the National League with a 26-10 record in 1912 and notched 20+ victories in three successive seasons (1912-14). During the summer of 1914, Cheney twice held the opposition to a single safety. Shortstop Marty Berghammer collected the lone base knock for the Reds on 7/1/1914 . Braves’ backstop Hank Gowdy produced the only hit in a 1-0 loss to Cheney and the Cubs on 8/26/1914 . Al Downing fashioned a 13-5 record in his rookie season (1963) for the New York Yankees. Facing the White Sox on 7/2/1963 , Downing allowed a single to Cam Carreon with two down in the seventh inning. The southpaw posted a 20-9 record for the Dodgers in 1971 and placed third in the NL Cy Young Award balloting. Knuckleballer Charlie Hough held the opposing team to one hit twice in his career and he lost both contests. On 6/16/1986 the Rangers led the Angels 1-0 heading to the bottom of the ninth. With one out, George Wright, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement in left field, committed a three-base error on a ball hit by Jack Howell. Wally Joyner singled to break up the no-hitter, scoring Howell. Joyner advanced to second on a passed ball. Doug DeCinces whiffed and an intentional walk to Reggie Jackson set the stage for George Hendrick. On a 3-2 pitch, Hendrick swung and missed but the ball eluded catcher Orlando Mercado. Joyner scored from second base as Hough failed to cover home plate! Mike Norris (22-9, 2.53) placed runner-up for the 1980 AL Cy Young Award and merited consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 1980-81. Opposing the Orioles on 5/9/1979 , Norris held Baltimore hitless through 6.1 innings. With two runners aboard via error and base on balls, Gary Roenicke spoiled Norris’ no-hit bid with a double that knocked in both baserunners and knotted the score at 2-2. The Athletics argued the call at home plate, to no avail. Oakland scored twice in the ninth inning to prevail, 4-2.

Pitcher	W	L	G	GS	IP	H	ERA	WHIP	HIP	0H	1H	2H
Sid Fernandez	114	96	307	300	1866.7	1421	3.36	1.144	0.761	0	0	5
J.R. Richard	107	71	238	221	1606.0	1227	3.15	1.243	0.764	0	1	6
Andy Messersmith	130	99	344	295	2230.3	1719	2.86	1.143	0.771	0	1	4
Sam McDowell	141	134	425	346	2492.3	1948	3.17	1.308	0.782	0	4	10
Pedro J. Martinez	219	100	476	409	2827.3	2221	2.93	1.054	0.786	0	3	6
Babe Ruth	94	46	163	148	1221.3	974	2.28	1.159	0.797	0	1	3
Bob Turley	101	85	310	237	1712.7	1366	3.64	1.421	0.798	0	4	8
Orval Overall	108	71	218	182	1535.3	1232	2.23	1.161	0.802	0	–	–
Ed Reulbach	182	106	399	300	2632.3	2117	2.28	1.143	0.804	0	–	–
Dave Boswell	68	56	205	151	1065.3	858	3.52	1.257	0.805	0	1	2
Mario Soto	100	92	297	224	1730.3	1395	3.47	1.186	0.806	0	2	1
Jack Pfiester	71	44	149	128	1067.3	869	2.02	1.089	0.814	0	–	–
Cy H. Morgan	78	78	210	172	1445.3	1180	2.51	1.216	0.816	0	–	–
Jose DeLeon	86	119	415	264	1897.3	1556	3.76	1.263	0.820	0	2	2
Rube Waddell	178	127	366	308	2659.7	2198	2.11	1.100	0.826	0	–	–
Chris R. Young	76	58	223	206	1179.0	979	3.69	1.208	0.830	0	0	1
Jake Weimer	97	69	191	180	1472.7	1227	2.23	1.168	0.833	0	–	–
Tommy Byrne	85	69	281	170	1362.0	1138	4.11	1.597	0.836	0	1	4
Fred Beebe	62	83	202	153	1294.3	1090	2.86	1.255	0.842	0	–	–
Doc Scanlan	65	71	181	149	1252.0	1061	3.00	1.333	0.847	0	–	–
Roger Clemens	354	184	709	707	4916.7	4185	3.12	1.173	0.851	0	1	13
Larry Cheney	116	100	313	225	1881.3	1605	2.70	1.243	0.853	0	2	2
Mordecai Brown	239	130	481	332	3172.3	2708	2.06	1.066	0.854	0	–	–
Carl Lundgren	91	55	179	149	1322.0	1129	2.42	1.214	0.854	0	–	–
Harry Coveleski	81	55	198	151	1248.0	1070	2.39	1.159	0.857	0	–	–
Al Downing	123	107	405	317	2268.3	1946	3.22	1.269	0.858	0	1	8
Jim Scott	107	113	317	226	1892.0	1624	2.30	1.180	0.858	0	–	–
Charlie Hough	216	216	858	440	3801.3	3283	3.75	1.302	0.864	0	2	5
Mike Norris	58	59	201	157	1124.3	972	3.89	1.308	0.865	0	1	0
Don Gullett	109	50	266	186	1390.0	1205	3.11	1.227	0.867	0	0	3
Bernie Boland	68	53	209	119	1062.0	925	3.25	1.278	0.871
Barney Pelty	92	117	266	217	1908.0	1663	2.63	1.150	0.872
Whitey Ford	236	106	498	438	3170.3	2766	2.75	1.215	0.872
Denny McLain	131	91	280	264	1886.0	1646	3.39	1.163	0.873
Reb Russell	81	59	242	148	1291.7	1128	2.33	1.080	0.873
Bob Veale	120	95	397	255	1926.0	1684	3.07	1.320	0.874
David Price	104	56	218	213	1441.7	1261	3.09	1.132	0.875
Lew Richie	74	65	241	136	1359.3	1190	2.54	1.240	0.875
Harry Harper	57	76	219	171	1256.0	1100	2.87	1.339	0.876
Bill Donovan	183	129	351	314	2820.7	2472	2.58	1.216	0.876
Jack Harshman	69	65	217	155	1169.3	1025	3.50	1.338	0.877
George McQuillan	85	89	273	173	1576.3	1382	2.38	1.131	0.877
Jack Coombs	158	110	354	270	2320.0	2034	2.78	1.239	0.877
Al Mamaux	76	67	254	140	1293.0	1138	2.90	1.275	0.880
Eddie Plank	326	194	623	529	4495.7	3958	2.35	1.119	0.880
Mickey McDermott	69	69	291	156	1316.7	1161	3.91	1.518	0.882
Luis Tiant	229	172	573	484	3486.3	3075	3.30	1.199	0.882
Madison Bumgarner	85	58	183	180	1171.0	1033	3.04	1.111	0.882
Rudy May	152	156	535	360	2622.0	2314	3.46	1.248	0.883
Ray Culp	122	101	322	268	1898.3	1677	3.58	1.280	0.883
John Smoltz	213	155	723	481	3473.0	3074	3.33	1.176	0.885
Jake Peavy	147	117	357	356	2258.3	2000	3.53	1.183	0.886
Fred Glade	52	68	132	126	1072.7	950	2.62	1.107	0.886
Howie Camnitz	133	106	326	236	2085.3	1852	2.75	1.203	0.888
Don Sutton	324	256	774	756	5282.3	4692	3.26	1.142	0.888
Juan Pizarro	131	105	488	245	2034.3	1807	3.43	1.325	0.888
Mat Latos	64	55	177	174	1068.3	949	3.51	1.183	0.888
Johnny Niggeling	64	69	184	161	1250.7	1111	3.22	1.301	0.888
Gio Gonzalez	91	66	217	211	1264.7	1124	3.62	1.317	0.889
Ferdie Schupp	61	39	216	120	1054.0	938	3.32	1.330	0.890
Vean Gregg	92	63	239	161	1393.0	1240	2.70	1.286	0.890
Earl Moore	162	154	388	326	2776.0	2474	2.78	1.290	0.891
Jack Chesbro	177	110	341	289	2532.0	2257	2.52	1.109	0.891
Lefty Tyler	127	116	323	265	2230.0	1990	2.95	1.264	0.892
Phil Marchildon	68	75	185	162	1214.3	1084	3.93	1.456	0.893
Johnny Cueto	96	70	226	226	1420.3	1268	3.30	1.181	0.893
Jean Dubuc	85	76	256	150	1444.3	1290	3.04	1.293	0.893
Hal Newhouser	207	150	488	374	2993.0	2674	3.06	1.311	0.893
Spud Chandler	109	43	211	184	1485.0	1327	2.84	1.205	0.894
Claude Hendrix	144	116	360	257	2371.3	2123	2.65	1.189	0.895
Steve Carlton	329	244	741	709	5217.3	4672	3.22	1.247	0.895
Willie Mitchell	84	92	276	190	1632.0	1464	2.88	1.268	0.897
Orlando Hernandez	90	65	219	211	1314.7	1181	4.13	1.263	0.898
Don Drysdale	209	166	518	465	3432.0	3084	2.95	1.148	0.899
Gary Nolan	110	70	250	247	1674.7	1505	3.08	1.145	0.899
Wally Bunker	60	52	206	152	1085.3	976	3.51	1.207	0.899

** Special Case ** (200+ Career Wins, 1000+ IP, H/IP < 1, Zero No-Hitters)

381 pitchers including several All-Time greats possess a H/IP ratio between .900 – 1.000. The truncated list below highlights those who collected at least 200 victories and pitched 1000+ innings in their careers without throwing at least one complete game no-hitter.

Pitcher	W	L	G	GS	IP	H	ERA	WHIP	HIP	0H	1H	2H
Billy Pierce	211	169	585	432	3306.7	2989	3.27	1.260	0.904
Curt Schilling	216	146	569	436	3261.0	2998	3.46	1.137	0.919
Fergie Jenkins	284	226	664	594	4500.7	4142	3.34	1.142	0.920
Mickey Lolich	217	191	586	496	3638.3	3366	3.44	1.227	0.925
Bob Welch	211	146	506	462	3092.0	2894	3.47	1.270	0.936
Pete Alexander	373	208	696	599	5190.0	4868	2.56	1.121	0.938
Orel Hershiser	204	150	510	466	3130.3	2939	3.48	1.261	0.939
Early Wynn	300	244	691	612	4564.0	4291	3.54	1.329	0.940
Greg Maddux	355	227	744	740	5008.3	4726	3.16	1.143	0.944
Tim Hudson	222	133	482	479	3126.7	2957	3.49	1.239	0.946
Jerry Koosman	222	209	612	527	3839.3	3635	3.36	1.259	0.947
C.C. Sabathia	214	129	452	452	2988.7	2831	3.69	1.246	0.947
Jim Perry	215	174	630	447	3285.7	3127	3.45	1.255	0.952
Chuck Finley	200	173	524	467	3197.3	3069	3.85	1.376	0.960
Carl Mays	207	126	490	325	3021.3	2912	2.92	1.207	0.964
Joe Niekro	221	204	702	500	3584.0	3466	3.59	1.319	0.967
Frank Tanana	240	236	638	616	4188.3	4063	3.66	1.270	0.970
Mike Mussina	270	153	537	536	3562.7	3460	3.68	1.192	0.971
Tom Glavine	305	203	682	682	4413.3	4298	3.54	1.314	0.974
Lefty Grove	300	141	616	457	3940.7	3849	3.06	1.278	0.977
Tim Wakefield	200	180	627	463	3226.3	3152	4.41	1.350	0.977
Robin Roberts	286	245	676	609	4688.7	4582	3.41	1.170	0.977
Wilbur Cooper	216	178	517	408	3480.0	3415	2.89	1.226	0.981
Red Ruffing	273	225	624	536	4344.0	4284	3.80	1.341	0.986
Stan Coveleski	215	142	450	385	3082.0	3055	2.89	1.251	0.991

** Special Case ** (less than 50% games started, career)

Pitcher	W	L	G	GS	IP	H	ERA	WHIP	HIP	0H	1H	2H
Kerry Wood	86	75	446	178	1380.0	1083	3.67	1.267	0.785	0	2	1

Worst Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with One or More No-Hitters

(minimum 1000 IP)

The top nine members in the subsequent table compiled a career WHIP above 1.340. Charlie Robertson amassed a 49-80 record with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.518 WHIP during parts of eight seasons, primarily for the White Sox. Yet for one brief moment he achieved perfection, on April 30, 1922 at Navin Field. Confronting a Detroit lineup which featured Ty Cobb (.401/4/99), Bobby Veach (.327/9/126) and Harry Heilmann (.356/21/92), Robertson captivated the Tigers’ batsmen en route to a perfect game. Terry Mulholland notched a career-high 16 victories in 1991 and earned All-Star status two years later for the Phillies. His career totals (124-142, 4.41) are rather pedestrian but he was hitting on all cylinders during a Giants-Phillies matchup at Veterans Stadium on August 15, 1990 .  The San Francisco batting order, highlighted by 3-4-5 hitters Will “The Thrill” Clark (.295/19/95), Kevin “World” Mitchell (.290/35/93) and Matt D. Williams (.277/33/122) was baffled by the portsider’s array of pitches. Mulholland lost his perfect game bid when Rick Parker reached base on Charlie Hayes’ error to start the seventh inning, but he secured the no-hitter when pinch-hitter Gary Carter lined out to Hayes to end the game. Scott Erickson (20-8, 3.18) and Jim Abbott (18-11, 2.89) finished second and third, respectively, in the 1991 AL Cy Young Award race. Erickson received his lone All-Star nod in the same season. Two years later he posted League-worsts with 19 losses and 266 base hits allowed. On April 27, 1994 Erickson fashioned a no-hitter against Greg Vaughn (.244/27/98) and the Milwaukee Brewers. Abbott squared off against a formidable Indians squad on September 4, 1993 . The Tribe lineup included Kenny Lofton (.325, 70 SB), Carlos Baerga (.321/21/114), Albert Belle (.290/38/129) along with talented prospects Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome. The southpaw issued five walks but induced 15 ground outs to secure the no-hitter. Wes Ferrell registered 20 or more victories in a season six times. He also granted 100+ bases on balls in seven campaigns and delivered a 4.04 ERA and a 1.481 WHIP for his career. Opposing Goose Goslin (.328/24/105), his brother Rick and the Browns on April 29, 1931 , Ferrell composed his finest outing as he whitewashed St. Louis 9-0. Three-time twenty-game winner Ted Lyons contained a pedestrian Red Sox offense on August 21, 1926 at Fenway Park. Fellow Hall of Fame hurler Jesse “Pop” Haines executed his no-hitter under comparable conditions against the Braves on July 17, 1924 . Following a 21-9 record in his sophomore year (albeit with a 4.63 ERA and 1.564 WHIP) Vern Kennedy recorded five consecutive seasons with an ERA above 5.00 and a cumulative WHIP of 1.712! He maintained his starting role despite yielding 549 walks while striking out only 329 batsmen during that timeframe. Towards the tail end of his inaugural campaign on August 31, 1935 , Kennedy perplexed an Indians’ lineup comprised of Hall of Fame outfielder Earl Averill, Joe Vosmik (.348/10/110) and Hal Trosky (.271/26/113). The lone active pitcher on the list below, Edwin Jackson received an All-Star invitation in 2009 when he registered a 13-9 mark with a 3.62 ERA. His career statistics entering the 2016 season are unexceptional, including a 4.58 ERA and 1.448 WHIP to accompany an 88-107 record. Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks on June 25, 2010 , Jackson conceded eight free passes to the Rays while holding them hitless. Mark Buehrle was nearly perfect on April 18, 2007 versus Texas. Rangers DH Sammy Sosa drew a one-out walk in the fifth inning, but Buehrle promptly picked him off.  Two years later, he notched a perfecto against the Rays on July 23, 2009 . Tampa Bay’s lineup consisted of All-Stars Carl Crawford (.305/15/68), Evan Longoria (.281/33/113) and Ben Zobrist (.297/27/91). Eric Milton held the Angels hitless on September 11, 1999 , conceding the fact that the Halos lineup was littered with recent minor league call-ups. Bill Dietrich persevered through 16 Major League seasons despite a 4.48 ERA and 1.501 WHIP for his career. “Bullfrog” twirled his no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns on June 1, 1937 , allowing three baserunners (two bases on balls in the sixth inning and Beau Bell reached on an error in the seventh frame). Dick Fowler compiled a winning record in three consecutive seasons (1947-49) for the Philadelphia Athletics even though he recorded more than 100 walks to strikeouts (276-168) during that timeframe. Fowler fashioned a 1-0 no-hitter versus Vern Stephens (.289/24/89) and the Browns in the second game of a doubleheader on September 9, 1945 .

Pitcher	W	L	G	GS	IP	H	ERA	WHIP	HIP	0H
Charlie Robertson	49	80	166	142	1005.0	1149	4.44	1.518	1.143	1
Terry Mulholland	124	142	685	332	2575.7	2833	4.41	1.364	1.100	1
Scott Erickson	142	136	389	364	2360.7	2586	4.59	1.462	1.095	1
Wes Ferrell	193	128	374	323	2623.0	2845	4.04	1.481	1.085	1
Ted Lyons	260	230	594	484	4161.0	4489	3.67	1.348	1.079	1
Jesse Haines	210	158	555	388	3208.7	3460	3.64	1.350	1.078	1
Vern Kennedy	104	132	344	263	2025.7	2173	4.67	1.591	1.073	1
Jim Abbott	87	108	263	254	1674.0	1779	4.25	1.433	1.063	1
Edwin Jackson	88	107	340	262	1640.3	1736	4.58	1.448	1.058	1
Mark Buehrle	214	160	518	493	3283.3	3472	3.81	1.281	1.057	2
David Wells	239	157	660	489	3439.0	3635	4.13	1.266	1.057	1
Bill Dietrich	108	128	366	253	2003.7	2117	4.48	1.501	1.057	1
Eric Milton	89	85	271	270	1582.3	1665	4.99	1.339	1.052	1
Sam Jones	229	217	647	487	3883.0	4084	3.84	1.411	1.052	1
Dick Fowler	66	79	221	170	1303.0	1367	4.11	1.493	1.049	1
Kenny Rogers	219	156	762	474	3302.7	3457	4.27	1.403	1.047	1
Jesse Barnes	152	150	422	314	2569.7	2686	3.22	1.246	1.045	1
Lew Burdette	203	144	626	373	3067.3	3186	3.66	1.243	1.039	1
George Mogridge	132	131	398	261	2265.7	2352	3.21	1.287	1.038	1
Derek Lowe	176	157	681	377	2671.3	2759	4.03	1.330	1.033	1
Rick Wise	188	181	506	455	3127.0	3227	3.69	1.289	1.032	1
Clyde Shoun	73	59	454	85	1287.0	1325	3.91	1.343	1.030	1
Chris Bosio	94	93	309	246	1710.0	1742	3.96	1.300	1.019	1
Howard Ehmke	166	166	427	339	2820.7	2873	3.75	1.388	1.019	1
Kevin Millwood	169	152	451	443	2720.3	2770	4.11	1.328	1.018	1
Jerry Reuss	220	191	628	547	3669.7	3734	3.64	1.325	1.018	1
Bill Monbouquette	114	112	343	263	1961.7	1995	3.68	1.253	1.017	1
Jack Kralick	67	65	235	169	1218.0	1238	3.56	1.278	1.016	1
Jim Tobin	105	112	287	227	1900.0	1929	3.44	1.308	1.015	1
Tex Carleton	100	76	293	202	1607.3	1630	3.91	1.363	1.014	1
Jim Colborn	83	88	301	204	1597.3	1619	3.80	1.311	1.014	1
Kevin Gross	142	158	474	368	2487.7	2519	4.11	1.409	1.013	1
Tom Browning	123	90	302	300	1921.0	1931	3.94	1.271	1.005	1
Bob Moose	76	71	289	160	1304.3	1308	3.50	1.300	1.003	1
Dick Bosman	82	85	306	229	1591.0	1594	3.67	1.261	1.002	1

One or More No-Hitters, Less Than 1000 Innings Pitched (Career) *

Many of the pitchers in the subsequent listing experienced brief Major League careers due to injury or ineffectiveness, yet they achieved some measure of fame from their no-hit efforts. Athletics’ southpaw Dallas Braden (career record of 26-36, 4.16 ERA, 1.325 WHIP) delivered a perfecto on May 9, 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Philip Humber (career record of 16-23, 5.31 ERA, 1.420 WHIP) twirled a perfect game at Seattle on April 21, 2012 as a member of the White Sox. Bobo Holloman supplied a no-hitter in his first Major League starting assignment versus the Philadelphia Athletics on May 6, 1953 . Holloman’s 1.821 WHIP during his lone big-league campaign earned him a return trip to the minors. He accrued 65.1 innings pitched for the Browns, the lowest total career IP for all hurlers with a no-hitter to their credit since 1901. Redbirds’ rookie lefthander Bud Smith tossed 134 pitches but conceded zero safeties against the Padres on September 3, 2001 . Smith placed fourth in the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year balloting but faltered in his sophomore campaign, notching only one victory in 10 starts with a 6.94 ERA and a 1.854 WHIP. The 1983 White Sox cruised to the title in the American League Western Division but the Chicago offense was confounded by Mike Warren on September 29, 1983 . The Pale Hose lineup encompassed four batsmen with 20+ home runs including future Hall of Fame backstop Carlton “Pudge” Fisk along with the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year, Ron Kittle (.254/35/100). Warren furnished a 1.051 WHIP in 12 appearances (9 starts) in his inaugural season but his control deserted him. His ERA ballooned to 5.50 in 1984-85 with a corresponding rise in WHIP to 1.712. Date                      Pitcher 9/20/1902            Nixey Callahan 7/22/1905            Weldon Henley 7/20/1906            Mal Eason 5/8/1907              Frank Pfeffer 9/20/1907            Nick Maddox 9/9/1914               Iron Davis 6/16/1916             Tom L. Hughes 6/21/1916             Rube Foster 5/5/1917               Ernie Koob 5/11/1919             Hod Eller 8/8/1931               Bobby Burke 9/21/1934             Paul Dean 4/23/1946             Ed Head 7/10/1947             Don Black 9/3/1947               Bill McCahan 9/9/1948               Rex Barney 5/6/1951               Cliff Chambers 5/6/1953               Bobo Holloman 8/20/1957             Bob Keegan 5/5/1962               Bo Belinsky 5/17/1963             Don Nottebart 9/16/1965             Dave Morehead 7/29/1968             George Culver 5/10/1981             Charlie Lea 9/29/1983             Mike Warren 9/19/1986             Joe Cowley 4/15/1987             Juan Nieves 5/23/1991             Tommy Greene 6/25/1999             Jose Jimenez 9/3/2001               Bud Smith 7/10/2009             Jonathan Sanchez 5/9/2010               Dallas Braden (Perfect Game) 4/21/2012             Philip Humber (Perfect Game) 9/29/2013             Henderson Alvarez * 6/9/2015               Chris Heston * 8/12/2015             Hisashi Iwakuma * 8/21/2015             Mike Fiers * 8/30/2015             Jake Arrieta * 4/21/2016             Jake Arrieta * (* indicates active player entering 2016 season)  

Best Pitchers, Hits per Innings Pitched (Career) with One or More No-Hitters

(minimum 1000 IP)

Pitcher	W	L	G	GS	IP	H	ERA	WHIP	HIP	0H
Nolan Ryan	324	292	807	773	5386.0	3923	3.19	1.247	0.728	7
Clayton Kershaw	114	56	244	242	1611.0	1198	2.43	1.033	0.744	1
Sandy Koufax	165	87	397	314	2324.3	1754	2.76	1.106	0.755	4
Hoyt Wilhelm	143	122	1070	52	2254.3	1757	2.52	1.125	0.779	1
Ed Walsh	195	126	430	315	2964.3	2346	1.82	1.000	0.791	1
Joe Wood	117	57	225	158	1436.3	1138	2.03	1.085	0.792	1
Jeff Tesreau	115	72	247	206	1679.0	1350	2.43	1.145	0.804	1
Randy D. Johnson	303	166	618	603	4135.3	3346	3.29	1.171	0.809	2
Addie Joss	160	97	286	260	2327.0	1888	1.89	0.968	0.811	2
Jim Maloney	134	84	302	262	1849.0	1518	3.19	1.259	0.821	2
Tom Seaver	311	205	656	647	4782.7	3971	2.86	1.121	0.830	1
Walter Johnson	417	279	802	666	5914.7	4913	2.17	1.061	0.831	1
Bob Gibson	251	174	528	482	3884.3	3279	2.91	1.188	0.844	1
Don Wilson	104	92	266	245	1748.3	1479	3.15	1.212	0.846	2
Jim Palmer	268	152	558	521	3948.0	3349	2.86	1.180	0.848	1
Matt Cain	97	99	294	291	1872.0	1589	3.47	1.186	0.849	1
Johan Santana	139	78	360	284	2025.7	1726	3.20	1.132	0.852	1
Sam Jones	102	101	322	222	1643.3	1403	3.59	1.354	0.854	1
Bob Feller	266	162	570	484	3827.0	3271	3.25	1.316	0.855	3
Johnny Vander Meer	119	121	346	285	2104.7	1799	3.44	1.393	0.855	2
Catfish Hunter	224	166	500	476	3449.3	2958	3.26	1.134	0.858	1
Tom Phoebus	56	52	201	149	1030.0	888	3.33	1.337	0.862	1
David Cone	194	126	450	419	2898.7	2504	3.46	1.256	0.864	1
Dean Chance	128	115	406	294	2147.3	1864	2.92	1.212	0.868	1
Frank Smith	139	111	354	255	2273.0	1975	2.59	1.166	0.869	2
Ewell Blackwell	82	78	236	169	1321.0	1150	3.30	1.296	0.871	1
Carlos Zambrano	132	91	354	302	1959.0	1709	3.66	1.331	0.872	1
Tim Lincecum	108	83	269	261	1643.7	1438	3.61	1.268	0.875	2
Cy Young	225	146	401	369	3313.0	2900	2.12	1.000	0.875	2
Chief Bender	212	127	459	334	3017.0	2645	2.46	1.113	0.877	1
Vida Blue	209	161	502	473	3343.3	2939	3.27	1.233	0.879	1
Nap Rucker	134	134	336	272	2375.3	2089	2.42	1.175	0.879	1
Allie Reynolds	182	107	434	309	2492.3	2193	3.30	1.386	0.880	2
Christy Mathewson	373	185	629	550	4747.0	4181	2.11	1.054	0.881	2
Max Scherzer	105	62	240	231	1468.0	1298	3.46	1.172	0.884	1
Dave Stieb	176	137	443	412	2895.3	2572	3.44	1.245	0.888	1
Francisco Liriano	88	79	254	227	1350.0	1200	3.97	1.311	0.889	1
Cole Hamels	121	91	307	306	2013.7	1794	3.31	1.147	0.891	1
Sonny Siebert	140	114	399	307	2152.0	1919	3.21	1.213	0.892	1
Ramon Martinez	135	88	301	297	1895.7	1691	3.67	1.311	0.892	1
Felix Hernandez	143	101	334	334	2262.3	2019	3.11	1.171	0.892	1
Jered Weaver	138	81	291	291	1847.0	1652	3.40	1.159	0.894	1
Hideo Nomo	123	109	323	318	1976.3	1768	4.24	1.354	0.895	1
Hooks Wiltse	139	90	357	226	2112.3	1892	2.47	1.131	0.896	1
Bill Singer	118	127	322	308	2174.0	1952	3.39	1.257	0.898	1
Bob Lemon	207	128	460	350	2850.0	2559	3.23	1.337	0.898	1
Mike Scott	124	108	347	319	2068.7	1858	3.54	1.201	0.898	1
Eddie Cicotte	208	149	502	361	3223.3	2897	2.38	1.155	0.899	1
Juan Marichal	243	142	471	457	3507.3	3153	2.89	1.101	0.899	1
Al Leiter	162	132	419	382	2391.0	2152	3.80	1.386	0.900	1
Justin Verlander	157	97	318	318	2111.3	1901	3.52	1.204	0.900	2
Virgil Trucks	177	135	517	328	2682.3	2416	3.39	1.306	0.901	2
Joe Benz	76	75	251	163	1359.7	1225	2.43	1.147	0.901	1
Ubaldo Jimenez	100	94	269	265	1585.0	1438	4.01	1.360	0.907	1
Earl Wilson	121	109	338	310	2051.7	1863	3.69	1.296	0.908	1
Jim Bibby	111	101	340	239	1722.7	1565	3.76	1.328	0.908	1
Jimmy Lavender	63	76	224	142	1207.3	1097	3.09	1.279	0.909	1
Larry Dierker	139	123	356	329	2333.7	2130	3.31	1.217	0.913	1
Jim Bunning	224	184	591	519	3760.3	3433	3.27	1.179	0.913	1
Joe Horlen	116	117	361	290	2002.0	1829	3.11	1.190	0.914	1
Dwight Gooden	194	112	430	410	2800.7	2564	3.51	1.256	0.915	1
Dave Righetti	82	79	718	89	1403.7	1287	3.46	1.338	0.917	1
Bill Dinneen	127	127	285	253	2244.7	2065	2.78	1.156	0.920	1
Warren Spahn	363	245	750	665	5243.7	4830	3.09	1.195	0.921	2
A.J. Burnett	164	157	435	430	2731.3	2519	3.99	1.325	0.922	1
Dutch Leonard	139	113	331	272	2192.0	2022	2.76	1.225	0.922	2
Gaylord Perry	314	265	777	690	5350.3	4938	3.11	1.181	0.923	1
Sal Maglie	119	62	303	232	1723.0	1591	3.15	1.250	0.923	1
Fred Toney	139	102	336	271	2206.0	2037	2.69	1.188	0.923	1
Josh Beckett	138	106	335	332	2051.0	1897	3.88	1.232	0.925	1
Fernando Valenzuela	173	153	453	424	2930.0	2718	3.54	1.320	0.928	1
Wilson Alvarez	102	92	355	263	1747.7	1624	3.96	1.390	0.929	1
Jon Lester	127	79	285	284	1801.0	1675	3.55	1.259	0.930	1
Ray Caldwell	133	120	343	260	2242.0	2089	3.22	1.261	0.932	1
Bert Blyleven	287	250	692	685	4970.0	4632	3.31	1.198	0.932	1
Jack Morris	254	186	549	527	3824.0	3567	3.90	1.296	0.933	1
Phil Niekro	318	274	864	716	5404.3	5044	3.35	1.268	0.933	1
Dennis Eckersley	197	171	1071	361	3285.7	3076	3.50	1.161	0.936	1
Burt Hooton	151	136	480	377	2652.0	2497	3.38	1.243	0.942	1
Johnny Lush	66	85	182	154	1239.3	1169	2.68	1.276	0.943	1
Bob Groom	119	150	367	288	2336.3	2205	3.10	1.279	0.944	1
Noodles Hahn	91	66	166	160	1409.0	1330	2.36	1.103	0.944	1
Kevin Brown	211	144	486	476	3256.3	3079	3.28	1.222	0.946	1
Steve Busby	70	54	167	150	1060.7	1003	3.72	1.354	0.946	2
Don Cardwell	102	138	410	301	2122.7	2009	3.92	1.263	0.946	1
Dazzy Vance	197	140	442	347	2966.7	2809	3.24	1.230	0.947	1
Clay Buchholz	73	51	169	167	1028.3	974	3.85	1.299	0.947	1
Ed Halicki	55	66	192	157	1063.0	1007	3.62	1.262	0.947	1
Bob Rhoads	97	82	218	185	1691.7	1604	2.61	1.240	0.948	1
Anibal Sanchez	80	74	221	219	1334.0	1266	3.70	1.289	0.949	1
John Candelaria	177	122	600	356	2525.7	2399	3.33	1.184	0.950	1
Dave Stewart	168	129	523	348	2629.7	2499	3.95	1.344	0.950	1
Carl Erskine	122	78	335	216	1718.7	1637	4.00	1.328	0.952	2
George Mullin	228	196	487	428	3686.7	3518	2.82	1.290	0.954	1
Bill Stoneman	54	85	245	170	1236.3	1182	4.08	1.443	0.956	2
Milt Pappas	209	164	520	465	3186.0	3046	3.40	1.225	0.956	1
Bret Saberhagen	167	117	399	371	2562.7	2452	3.34	1.141	0.957	1
Jordan Zimmermann	70	50	178	178	1094.0	1047	3.32	1.159	0.957	1
Jesse Tannehill	118	74	220	202	1705.7	1639	2.56	1.125	0.961	1
Jim Wilson	86	89	257	217	1539.0	1479	4.01	1.356	0.961	1
Ken T. Johnson	91	106	334	231	1737.3	1670	3.46	1.199	0.961	1
Roy Halladay	203	105	416	390	2749.3	2646	3.38	1.178	0.962	2
Carl Hubbell	253	154	535	431	3590.3	3461	2.98	1.166	0.964	1
Matt Garza	81	89	247	243	1494.3	1443	3.99	1.300	0.966	1
Vern Bickford	66	57	182	149	1076.3	1040	3.71	1.400	0.966	1
Joe Bush	195	183	489	366	3087.3	2992	3.51	1.378	0.969	1
Ervin Santana	126	105	316	313	1990.7	1931	4.16	1.284	0.970	1
John Montefusco	90	83	298	244	1652.3	1604	3.54	1.281	0.971	1
Clyde Wright	100	111	329	235	1728.7	1679	3.50	1.289	0.971	1
Dock Ellis	138	119	345	317	2127.7	2067	3.46	1.288	0.971	1
Chick Fraser	103	125	259	226	1981.3	1925	3.30	1.347	0.972	1
Ken Holtzman	174	150	451	410	2867.3	2787	3.49	1.289	0.972	2
Ken Forsch	114	113	521	241	2127.3	2071	3.37	1.249	0.974	1
Monte Pearson	100	61	224	191	1429.7	1392	4.00	1.491	0.974	1
Len Barker	74	76	248	194	1323.7	1289	4.34	1.361	0.974	1
Dennis Martinez	245	193	692	562	3999.7	3897	3.70	1.266	0.974	1
Rube Marquard	201	177	536	403	3306.7	3233	3.08	1.237	0.978	1
Mel Parnell	123	75	289	232	1752.7	1715	3.50	1.411	0.979	1
Lon Warneke	192	121	445	343	2782.3	2726	3.18	1.245	0.980	1
Mike Witt	117	116	341	299	2108.3	2066	3.83	1.318	0.980	1
Darryl Kile	133	119	359	331	2165.3	2135	4.12	1.410	0.986	1
Kent Mercker	74	67	692	150	1325.3	1307	4.16	1.444	0.986	1
Homer Bailey	58	51	168	168	1010.0	999	4.19	1.311	0.989	2
Earl Hamilton	116	147	410	261	2342.7	2319	3.16	1.320	0.990	1
Bob Forsch	168	136	498	422	2794.7	2777	3.76	1.291	0.994	2
Ray Washburn	72	64	239	166	1209.7	1208	3.53	1.291	0.999	1

References and Resources

Albert, Jim and Max Marchi. Analyzing Baseball Data with R. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press, 2014. Print. Baseball-Reference Paper of Record – Sporting News –  Box Scores and Game Accounts Retrosheet – No Hitters Alphabetically by Pitcher The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at “www.retrosheet.org”. SABR Baseball Biography Project Sean Lahman Baseball Archive

About the Author

I am a New Jersey native with a passion for baseball, statistics, computers and video games who enjoys spending quality time with his family. “Hardball Retrospective”is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. Supplemental Statistics, Charts and Graphs along with a discussion forum are offered at TuataraSoftware.com .Don Daglow (Intellivision World Series Major League Baseball, Earl Weaver Baseball, Tony LaRussa Baseball) contributed the foreword for Hardball Retrospective. The foreword and preview of my book are accessible  here . “Hardball Retrospective – Addendum 2014 to 2016”supplements my research for Hardball Retrospective, providing retroactive standings based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Win Shares (WS) for each “original” team over the past three seasons (2014-2016). Team totals from 2010 – 2013 are included for reference purposes. “Addendum” is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. “ Hardball Retroactive”,published in June 2018, is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. A cross-section of essays that I penned for Seamheads.com along with my Baseball Analytics blog spanning nearly a decade touching on subjects including “Taking the Extra Base”, “General Manager Scorecard”, “Worst Trades”, “BABIP By Location” and “Baseball Birthplaces and the Retro World Baseball Classic”. Rediscover your favorite hardball arcade and simulations in “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” or take a deep dive into every franchise’s minor league successes and failures in relation to their major league operations in “Minors vs. Majors”. “Hardball Architects”examines the trades, free agent acquisitions, draft picks and other transactions for the 30 Major League Baseball franchises, divided into a 2-volume set (American League and National League). All key moves are scrutinized for every team and Sabermetric principles are applied to the roster construction throughout the lifetime of the organization to encapsulate the hits and misses by front office executives. “Volume 1 – American League Teams” is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. “Volume 2 – National League Teams” is tentatively scheduled for publication in the spring of 2022.

** Article amended on July 22, 2016 @ 9:15 am **

• added link to GoogleDocs spreadsheet which contains the entire list of qualifying pitchers
• added table – “** Special Case ** (200+ Career Wins, 1000+ IP, H/IP < 1, Zero No-Hitters)”