Tyler Gilbert vs. SDP, August 14th: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 89 Game Score
If this isn't your pick for the best game of the 2021 season, I'm not sure what to tell you. I can tell you exactly where I was that day and my reaction to the end of that game. I was on the floor for a good five minutes. But enough about my collapse on a friend's floor, let's talk about this unbelievable start.
In a year of no-hitters, this one just felt different. Unlike the other eight no-hitters this past season, this one was from a rookie pitcher. Everyone else had plenty of experience under their belt, but not Tyler Gilbert. The other, historically significant part of his no-no was the fact that it came in his first career start! Shockingly, this wasn't the first time someone has pitched a no-no in their first start. There are three pitchers who did it before him, two of which happened in the 1800s. Bumpus Jones threw one in 1892, Ted Breitenstein had his in 1891, and Bobo Holloman threw one in 1953.
Sixty-eight years later, Arizona Diamondback Tyler Gilbert added his name to that list.