Of all the extraordinary events that can occur during a baseball game, perhaps none is more magical than a pitcher throwing a no-hitter. The ultimate achievement in a pitcher's career, some of the game's best pitchers have thrown no-hitters. Yet pitchers who are journeymen or replacement-level players accomplish almost half of no-hitters. Sometimes, it can be even more unexpected when a pitcher with a struggling team achieves greatness by throwing a no-hitter against a far superior squad. This book was a four-year labor of love written by a devoted baseball fan with a keen understanding of the unique attraction of the game. His fascinating stories of individual games explore the gamut of no-hit accomplishments, from the perfect game thrown by aging Hall of Famer Randy Johnson to the beautiful moment on top of the baseball world experienced by young players who lasted only a short time in the big leagues. This book embodies the fascination of being a baseball fan, knowing that any pitcher, in any game, against any given team, can have their time in the spotlight as a no-hit pitcher. It also celebrates individual no-hitters as thrilling stories full of excitement and hard work in pursuit of a lofty goal. Through storytelling based on personal interviews and in-depth analysis, this two-volume book is about the pitchers and catchers who participated in what is often recalled as the most memorable game of their professional careers. While their stories are far more than statistics, this book is loaded with insightful analysis. Most important are the players' stories behind the headlines, though. What led up to their crowning achievement? What was working for them that day, and what wasn't? What do they remember most? And what have they been doing since their remarkable achievement? This book addresses these questions and describes so many more aspects of these magical games.
