On April 15, 1987 22-year-old Juan Nieves became the first Milwaukee Brewer and the
first Puerto Rican-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter, as he blanked the Orioles 7-0
in Baltimore. Centerfielder Robin Yount made a dramatic diving catch for the last
out. Many baseball observers had anticipated such a feat by Nieves. A Connecticut
prep-school star with a 90-mph fastball, he was scouted by dozens of colleges and
every ML club. Since he was born in Puerto Rico he did not need to go through the
amateur draft. He was won over by the Brewers for a reported $150,000 signing bonus
in 1983. He compiled a 33-9 record in three minor league seasons and struggled to
an 11-12 rookie record in 1986, but matured in
1987, going 14-8. A shoulder injury
sidelined him for two months of 1988 and all of 1989.
(JCA)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»April 15, 1987: Twenty-two-year-old Juan Nieves throws the first no-hitter in Brewers history 7–0 at Baltimore, and Milwaukee runs its record to 9-0.