It was a box score quirk not seen again for half a century: only the starting pitchers had more than one hit.
In the Mets’ 3-1 win over Philadelphia on June 21, 1963, the only players with more than one hit were the starting pitchers, Al Jackson and Cal McLish. McLish carried a no-hitter into the sixth before Jackson led off with a single, igniting a bases-loaded rally capped by Frank Thomas’ two-run double. Jackson added another hit in the seventh to help manufacture the Mets’ final run, which combined with McLish’s two hits sealed a statistical oddity that wouldn’t repeat for 50 years.
🕵️ Inside Today’s Original Newspaper Coverage:
Writers marvel at Thomas finally delivering in clutch
Quips about Thomas’ empty-base home run totals
Also on the page: Early Wynn’s mom calls after failed 300th win bid
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