Bunning, Wise No-Hit Teammates

By Larry Shenk

Canadian Baseball Network

As an 18-year-old rookie, Rick Wise watched as 32-year-old Jim Bunning make history on Father’s Day, June 21, 1964.

During the first game of that Sunday afternoon doubleheader, Bunning pitched a perfect game against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Wise, the second game starter, watched from the Phillies clubhouse. Wise completed the double-header sweep with his first major league win.

The roles were reversed on June 23, 1971, in Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium. The 39-year-old Bunning, who had returned to the Phillies that season, watched from the dugout as Wise no-hit the Reds, 4-0.

Bunning won the Phillies first game of that season, which happened to be the opener of Veterans Stadium on April 10. Wise was the winner in his team’s last victory on September 28. It was only the 57th win for the Phillies, 17 belonging to Wise.

That season was the last time Bunning and Wise wore a Phillies uniform. Bunning, who finished 5-12, retired after 17 years in the majors and a 224-184 record that would lead to the Baseball Hall of Fame. About ready to start spring training in Clearwater the following February, Wise was traded to St. Louis for Steve Carlton, a very unpopular deal.

No-hit Nuggets

Bunning threw 90 pitches in his perfect game; Wise 95 in his no-hitter, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Pitch count was meaningless in that era.

Bunning’s gem was only the third perfect game in National League history. The other two came five days apart in June of 1880.

He became second pitcher to throw a no-hitter in each league, joining Cy Young. Bunning no-hit the Red Sox in 1958 while with the Detroit Tigers.

It was the Phillies first no-hitter since Johnny Lush in 1906 at Brooklyn.

Wise became the first hurler in major league history to hit two home runs while tossing a no-hitter. It hasn’t been matched. Walking back to the hotel after the game, catcher Mike Ryan said to Rick, “Do you know what you just did?”

Wise’s gem was the Phillies first no-hitter since Bunning’s perfect game. Only a sixth inning walk to Davey Concepcion kept Wise from a perfect game.

For the Reds, it was the second time they were no-hit that month; 20 days earlier by the Cubs Ken Holtzman.

Cincinnati wasn’t no hit again until 2010, Roy Halladay at Citizens Bank Park in the opening game of the NLDS.