Cy Young and Walter Johnson
Two Hall of Fame pitchers had good outings at Hilltop Park in 1908.
- On June 30, 1908, Cy Young pitched a no-hitter against New York, winning handily 8-0. This was the third and final no-hitter in Young's illustrious career. The game coverage by The New York Times the following day, along with a summary of Young's career, is noteworthy in that the locals were referred to as the "New York Yankees" or "Yanks" throughout the article, demonstrating how common the nickname was by then, and with no reference at all to "Highlanders". The Times also consistently referred to the Hilltop by its formal name, "the American League Park". (The Complete Book of Baseball: A New York Times Scrapbook History, Arno Press, Bobbs-Merrill, 1980, p. 8)
- One of the more impressive pitching performances of all time took place at the Hilltop. On September 4, 1908, 20 year-old Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators/Nationals shut out the Highlanders 3-0 with a five-hitter. The next day, Johnson again blanked the Yankees, 6-0, on a three-hitter. The city's "blue law" prevented a game on Sunday. On Monday, September 7, Senators manager Joe Cantillon again gave Johnson the ball and he improved again, this time hurling a two-hit, 4-0 victory over the Hilltoppers, his third shutout in the space of four days.
Read more about this topic: Hilltop Park
Famous quotes containing the words young, walter and/or johnson:
“There are two kinds of men, and only two, and that young man is one kind. He is high-minded, he is pure, he’s the kind of man that the world pretends to look up to, and in fact despises. He is
the kind of man who breeds unhappiness, particularly in women.”
—Robert Bolt (1924–1995)
“The sun may set and rise:
But we contrariwise
Sleep after our short light
One everlasting night.”
—Sir Walter Raleigh (1552?–1618)
“Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” But let it be considered that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)