On April 16, 1940, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians made history by throwing the only opening day no-hitter in Major League Baseball history. The game took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago against the Chicago White Sox.
Feller, nicknamed "Rapid Robert" for his blazing fastball, was just 21 years old at the time. The young phenom struck out eight batters and walked five in the Indians' 1-0 victory. Interestingly, the only run of the game was scored on a wild pitch by White Sox starter Eddie Smith in the fourth inning.
The no-hitter was a remarkable feat considering the cold weather conditions. The game-time temperature was a chilly 37 degrees Fahrenheit (about 3 degrees Celsius), making it difficult for pitchers to grip the ball and maintain their control.
Feller's opening day no-hitter set the tone for what would become a Hall of Fame career. He spent 18 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, compiling a record of 266-162, with 2,581 strikeouts and a 3.25 ERA. Feller led the American League in strikeouts seven times and was an eight-time All-Star.
This historic achievement remains a unique and cherished moment in baseball history, as no other pitcher has managed to throw a no-hitter on opening day since Feller's gem more than 80 years ago.
