I recall Dave Steib, but didn't know his history of flirting with no hitters

2PLAYSMAX · Sep 4, 2009

On September 2, 1990, he pitched the first (and, to date, only) no-hitter in Blue Jays history, defeating the Cleveland Indians 3-0. <SUP id=cite_ref-0 class=reference>[1]</SUP> Previously, Stieb had no-hitters broken up with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth inning in two consecutive 1988 starts.<SUP id=cite_ref-1 class=reference>[2]</SUP> In 1989 he had yet another no-hit bid broken up with two outs in the ninth; this was a potential perfect game.

This is amazing to me. How the hell did this guy stay focused after those close calls to eventually grab a no-hitter.

TheRightSide · Sep 4, 2009

I remember him well. Back in the day Toronto and Detroit was great rivals. Him and Jack Morris (should be in the HOF) were the 2 best pitchers of that era

kingbill · Sep 4, 2009

Growing up a Jays fan I got to see Stieb's brilliance so often. 19 complete games one year. He was a workhorse. His numbers aren't near HOF numbers but he was fantastic. Morris should be there for sure.

joebatters · Sep 4, 2009

To top it all off, I believe one of his near no-hitters (or it may have been that near perfecto) was broken up by a routine groundball to 2nd base that took a bad hop. Julio Franco hit it, if my memory serves. It was at the old Cleveland Stadium. I'll have to look that one up.

2PLAYSMAX · Sep 4, 2009

joebatters said:
To top it all off, I believe one of his near no-hitters (or it may have been that near perfecto) was broken up by a routine groundball to 2nd base that took a bad hop. Julio Franco hit it, if my memory serves. It was at the old Cleveland Stadium. I'll have to look that one up.

Yep for some reasons the baseball gods didn't want this guy to have a no hitter in the 80's.

hellah10 · Sep 4, 2009

Roy Halladay got robbed of a no-no by Bobby Higginson in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs... Higgy hit a jack

TomGshotput · Sep 4, 2009

For a long time I knew about the no-hitters, but didn't know how truly good Stieb really was. Easily one of the five best eligible pitchers not in the Hall-of-Fame and a very strong case as the best pitcher of the 80s

hellah10 · Sep 4, 2009

speaking of the jays...

doc has a no hitter through 5

tooran · Sep 4, 2009

hellah10 said:
speaking of the jays...

doc has a no hitter through 5

Doc ended with a 1-hitter, shutting out the Yanks. 2nd career 1-hitter. one of his best performances ever

hellah10 · Sep 4, 2009

it certainly was tooran... credit to pena for getting that double off Doc... that was a tough pitch to hit... personally, i think pena just swung out of the blue and he just happen to make contact