Truemors
Made history at Wrigley by throwing no-hitter in first start with new team
Don Cardwell, forever etched in Wrigley Field lore by pitching a
no-hitter against the Cardinals in his first game as a Cub, died Monday
in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was 72.
And while he lost eight of his next 10 starts and finished the season
9-16, Cardwell became part of television history because of Moose
Moryn's spectacular catch of a sinking liner in left field for the
final out as WGN-Ch. 9 announcer Jack Brickhouse screamed, "C'mon Moose
..."
Years later, Cardwell recalled what happened after the catch for WGN:
"Then all you-know-what broke loose with people coming on the field.
The ushers tried to hold people back, but there was just no way. I was
trying to get off the field, because there was just so many people
right on top of you. For years, I've told people I just didn't want to
spike anybody."
Traded by the Phillies for Tony Taylor and Cal Neeman on May 13, 1960,
Cardwell became the first pitcher to pitch a no-hitter in his first
start with a new team.
The only baserunner was Alex Grammas on a first-inning walk. Cardwell
retired the next 26 batters, including two in the ninth on nice catches
by George Altman and Moryn.
"It was great, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it," Cardwell said later.
"All my career, people have come up to me and said, 'Did you pitch a
no-hitter?' and I can say, 'Yes, yes I did.' "
Many forget that Cardwell also helped the Mets overcome the 1969 Cubs,
pitching a 1-0 shutout on Sept. 12 and driving in the only run. It was
the ninth victory in 10 games for the Mets, who had passed the Cubs two
days earlier.
Cardwell's best season came in 1961 with the Cubs when he finished 15-14 with a 3.82 ERA.
He was traded to the Cardinals a year , in a deal that brought back
Lindy McDaniel and Larry Jackson, but then was dealt to the Pirates.
He pitched for five major-league teams and finished with a 102-138
record and 3.92 ERA. He threw 17 shutouts and hit 15 home runs.
After retiring following the 1970 season, Cardwell became an outstanding golfer, playing on the celebrity tour in the 1980s.
"We need more Don Cardwells in the world," Junie Michael, who
worked with Cardwell selling cars for more than 35 years, told the
Associated Press. "I just can't say enough about what a positive
influence he was on our community. I've never met a better guy in my
whole life."
Cardwell died Monday morning of unknown causes, although he had been in poor health recently.
Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; three children, five
grandchildren and three sisters. Following a private family graveside
service, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.
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