Gene Elston remembers the Astros......."Maybe the Astros Pitching Disease stemmed from the time Turk Farrell faced Henry Aaron. Hank lined a drive back to the mound that struck Turk smack on the forehead. The ball bounced off and was caught in centerfield for an out by Jimmy Wynn."
There is one good thing about playing for an expansion team. You have a chance to accomplish "firsts." You can get the first hit in a franchises history, hit the first homerun, be the first 20 game winner, and so forth.
On May 17, 1963 Don Nottebart, 4-1 was starting at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. The thought of pitching the franchises first no-hitter probably was the furthest thing from his mind as he and rookie catcher faced the Phillie line up in the top of the first. The Phillies sent Jack Hamilton to the mound too opposed the Colt .45s.
In the first Nottebart retired Tony Taylor on a groundball to Lillis at second, Johnny Callison flied to center, and Tony Gonzalez struck out.
In the bottom of the first after Hamilton had retired Temple and Spangler, Carl Warwick, who had 7 hits in 16 at career at bats off Hamilton, (.438 1 double 2 Hrs 3 RBI) hit one of those homeruns, putting the Colts in front 1-0.
It remained that way until the fifth, with Nottebart allowing only one baserunner, a one out walk to shortstop Bobby Wine in the third.
In the fifth Don Demeter reached on a two base error by shortstop J.C. Hartman. Dalrymple sacrificed him to third, and a sacrifice flyball by Don Hoak, tied the score.
Nottebart, to his credit, kept his composure, and retired light hitting shortstop Bobby Wine on a groundball to Hartman, who redeemed himself with a good throw.
The 8,223 fans attending this game at Colts Field, now had the feeling they might be witnessing something special in Colts history, and got behind Nottebart on every pitch.
Gene Mauch, and his Phillies were also aware of what was happening to them too, and in no way wanted to be no hit. Mauch taunted Nottebart from the bench, yelling,"you'll never make it Nottebart, you'll never make it.
For the rest of the way it was going to be a battle on every pitch.
Nottebart's wife Jo Ann was attending her second game of that season. She, as a rule did not like to watch games he pitched. She was too nervous. She said she cheered him during the game to keep herself calm she was so nervous.
Nottebart said he patted Hartmann on the back when they returned to the dugout after that inning, and moved on. It may have been the key to his accomplishing what he did.
In the bottom of the sixth, Johnny Temple singled, Spangler, attempting a bunt, forced him at second. Warwick got his third straight hit, Pete Runnels, who had ran for Staub in the fourth, forced Warwick at second, but beat the throw to first. Howie Goss made it important by hitting a homerun off Hamilton. (Goss was 3 for 6, a .500 average with a double, a homerun and 3 RBI Hamilton in his career.)
The three runs made it a more comfortable 4-1. Nottebart did not waiver as Mauch had predicted. He walked Dalrymple with two outs in the 7th, but that came to nothing. Warwick tripled for his fourth consecutive hit and Runnels walked with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, delaying his getting back out there. Goss finally flied to center and the top of the ninth was on!
Gene Elston......
''Nottebart pitching to COVINGTON. he has pitched a no-hit game through eight-and-two-thirds innings.
If he can dispose of Covington, he will go into the mythical hall of fame. But he's facing a tough one here. Covington. He is hitting .360, a left handed batter.
One strike.
Bateman flashes out the sign now.
Outfield deep around to the right side.
HERE'S THE PITCH by Nottebart.
There's a flyball to left. SPANGLER racing hard, he's gonna get it.
HE'S GOT IT!
And Don Nottebart has pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies!!!"
The mission was accomplished. The franchise had it's first no-hitter.
Nottebart said afterwards, "I didn't think I would do it."
According to the Associated Press the reason was; " But I knew if I didn't, it would be for my own mistakes."
Great guy, he was prepared to let everyone off the hook. The only one he disappointed was that genius Gene Mauch.
