Eddie Cicotte's 1917 No-Hitter

Lore & Background

This game is often remembered not just for its statistical perfection but for the context of Cicotte's career. He was a pitcher who could dominate when at his best, utilizing a deceptive delivery and sharp control. The no-hitter against St. Louis remains a bright spot in his legacy, standing apart from the later controversies that would eventually tarnish his name during the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919. In 1917, however, he was simply a champion executing his craft with surgical precision.

In Their Own Story

The late September air hung heavy over Comiskey Park as Eddie Cicotte stepped onto the mound for the ninth inning. The scoreboard read 6-0, but the tension remained palpable; one hit could shatter history. He gripped the ball, feeling the familiar seam against his calloused fingers. With a deep breath that seemed to draw in the entire stadium's anticipation, he wound up and unleashed a fastball that danced just outside the strike zone. The batter swung at nothing but air, and as the umpire called the third strike, silence gave way to an eruption of cheers that shook the very foundations of the ballpark.

Reader's Guide

The game began with Cicotte establishing early dominance, retiring the first six batters in order while the White Sox offense chipped away at the Browns' defense. By the fourth inning, Chicago had built a comfortable lead, but the real drama unfolded as Cicotte navigated the middle innings without allowing a single baserunner. The turning point arrived in the seventh when a potential threat was neutralized by a sharp ground ball to shortstop, preserving the no-hit bid just as fatigue began to show. The crowd's energy shifted from nervous anticipation to roaring approval with every out recorded, creating an electric atmosphere that seemed to fuel the pitcher's arm. In the final frames, Cicotte faced the cleanup hitter with two outs and a full count. A deep breath, a deceptive windup, and a curveball that broke away sent the batter swinging wildly. The third strike sealed the no-hitter, sending Comiskey Park into a frenzy of celebration as the White Sox secured a flawless 6-0 victory.

Did You Know?

• Eddie Cicotte was a right-handed pitcher, not left-handed as sometimes misreported.
• This performance occurred just two years before the infamous Black Sox Scandal, which would later ban Cicotte from baseball.
• The White Sox went on to win the 1917 World Series shortly after this historic game.
• Cicotte's no-hitter was pitched at Comiskey Park, a stadium known for its large dimensions and challenging conditions.