Written for BaseballDigest.com
Dave Righetti had his All-Star break plans all set when he arrived at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1983. The man known as Rags would have liked to have been heading to the All-Star game in Chicago the next day, but wasn't selected despite a 9-3 record. Instead, he and teammate Graig Nettles were headed to Atlantic City for a good time. First though, Righetti had a game to pitch against the Boston Red Sox on the Nation's birthday.
The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry had rekindled in the late 1970's, culminating with the one game playoff in 1978. The Yankees entered the holiday 2.5 games behind first place Toronto while the Red Sox sat 4 games back.
All no-hitters are accomplished with solid defense. The Yankees had a bit of an unusual alignment behind Righetti on the 4th. Dave Winfield, who mainly played the corner outfield positions in his career, was in center. Nettles had the day off and was replaced at third base by veteran shortstop Bert Campenaris. The result was seamless.
Except for a walk, Righetti breezed through the first three innings, recording seven of the nine outs by strikeout. Rod Nichols drew a one out walk in the 5th, but Righetti picked him off with his patented snap move to first. A Jim Rice walk in the 7th was erased by an inning ending double play.
The Yankees meanwhile had built a 2-0 lead off Red Sox starter John Tudor as the Sox came to bat in the 8th. Right fielder Steve Kemp's time in the Bronx was not a favorable one, but he became a hero for a day when he leaped over the wall in foul territory to snare Dwight Evans pop up to star the inning and contributed some insurance in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run single.
Righetti had to appreciate the breathing room of a 4-0 lead, especially after he walked Jeff Newman to start the 9th. But the lefty bounced back to retire Glen Hoffman and Jerry Remy on ground outs. That left things up to Wade Boggs.
The future Hall of Famer was leading the league with a sizzling .361 average entering play, but had gone for the collar against Righetti thus far. Moments later Boggs flailed at a strike three slider for the final out of the game. Dave Righetti had become the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Don Larsen tossed a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.
Righetti hugged his catcher Butch Wynegar and soaked in the applause of the 41,077 fans. It created a great holiday memory and a fantastic birthday present for one George Steinbrenner.
Righetti wouldn't have too many more big games as a starter. After finishing the season 14-8, 3.44, the Yankees moved the promising young pitcher to the closer role. He wasn't happy at first, but Righetti would flourish in his new position. At one time he held the major league record with 46 saves.
After retiring in 1995, Righetti moved into coaching and has been the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants since 2000. But every July 4 he can smile and think back to one memorable holiday.
All no-hitters are accomplished with solid defense. The Yankees had a bit of an unusual alignment behind Righetti on the 4th. Dave Winfield, who mainly played the corner outfield positions in his career, was in center. Nettles had the day off and was replaced at third base by veteran shortstop Bert Campenaris. The result was seamless.
Except for a walk, Righetti breezed through the first three innings, recording seven of the nine outs by strikeout. Rod Nichols drew a one out walk in the 5th, but Righetti picked him off with his patented snap move to first. A Jim Rice walk in the 7th was erased by an inning ending double play.
The Yankees meanwhile had built a 2-0 lead off Red Sox starter John Tudor as the Sox came to bat in the 8th. Right fielder Steve Kemp's time in the Bronx was not a favorable one, but he became a hero for a day when he leaped over the wall in foul territory to snare Dwight Evans pop up to star the inning and contributed some insurance in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run single.
Righetti had to appreciate the breathing room of a 4-0 lead, especially after he walked Jeff Newman to start the 9th. But the lefty bounced back to retire Glen Hoffman and Jerry Remy on ground outs. That left things up to Wade Boggs.
The future Hall of Famer was leading the league with a sizzling .361 average entering play, but had gone for the collar against Righetti thus far. Moments later Boggs flailed at a strike three slider for the final out of the game. Dave Righetti had become the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Don Larsen tossed a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.
Righetti hugged his catcher Butch Wynegar and soaked in the applause of the 41,077 fans. It created a great holiday memory and a fantastic birthday present for one George Steinbrenner.
Righetti wouldn't have too many more big games as a starter. After finishing the season 14-8, 3.44, the Yankees moved the promising young pitcher to the closer role. He wasn't happy at first, but Righetti would flourish in his new position. At one time he held the major league record with 46 saves.
After retiring in 1995, Righetti moved into coaching and has been the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants since 2000. But every July 4 he can smile and think back to one memorable holiday.
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