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OLDEST NO-NO
Q: Who was the oldest pitcher to throw a no-hitter?
-- William G. Boett
A: On June 11, 1990, at the age of 43 years, four months, and 12 days, Nolan Ryan became the oldest pitcher to toss a no-hitter when he did it against the Oakland Athletics. He walked only two, struck out 14, and needed only two hours and forty-nine minutes to complete the masterpiece. Ryan became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for three different teams, and also the first pitcher to do it in three different decades. What made it all the more amazing was that it came in just his second start after coming off the DL.
The next season, at the age of 44 years, three months and one day, Ryan threw the seventh and final no-hitter in his career, a 3-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Q: When did the New York Yankees first add pinstripes to their uniforms?
-- HHSSII@aol.com
A: The New York Yankees first added pinstripes to their uniforms for the 1912 season. At the time, they were still known as the New York Highlanders, though the name "Yankees" was becoming more and more popular, and became the official name the next year.
For the next two years, the Yankees shared the Polo Grounds with the New York Giants, and the pinstripes were taken off of the home uniforms. Then, in 1915, they returned, and have not been removed since.
The myth that Colonel Jacob Ruppert had pinstripes added in the 1920s to make Babe Ruth look thinner is untrue.
Q: How many players have hit five home runs over two consecutive games?
-- Joseph
A: Twenty-one players have hit five home runs over two consecutive games. The first player to accomplish this feat was Cap Anson, who did it for Chicago on August 5, and 6, 1884. The most recent player to do it was Manny Ramirez, who did it on September 15 and 16, 1998. Only two players, Mark McGwire and Ralph Kiner, have done it twice in their careers.
Q: Who was the regular centerfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the late 1970s?
-- Dave White
A: The Dodgers had no regular centerfielder in the late 1970s. In fact, from 1975-1980, they featured a different player in centerfield each year. The centerfielders were:
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