May 26, 1959---

Pitched The Greatest Game in MLB History,
and LOST !

Harvey Haddix pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates that night, in May of 1959, against the Braves in Milwaukee County Stadium. The previous two seasons, 1957 and 58, the Braves had split a pair of World Series with the Yankees. In 1960, the Pirates would win a World Series against the same New York Yankees team. But this night, the Braves and the Pirates played each other. Harvey Haddix matched up against one of the Braves' two best pitchers, Lou Burdette ( Warren Spahn was their other ace).
The sky was cloudy that night, with a threat of rain. After pitching eight perfect innings, where no base runners reached first safely, Haddix, for the second time in his eight year career in the majors, took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. In 1953 Richie Ashburn of the Phillies singled against him with no outs in the ninth when he pitched for the Cardinals and ruined his no-hit bid. But in this game Haddix finished nine innings with no baserunners, he pitched only 78 pitches but the Pirates hadn"t scored a run!

By the end of twelve innings Haddix was still perfect, still locked in a scoreless tie with Lou Burdette and had now set a new Major League Baseball record for the longest no-hit game. The thirteenth inning proved to be unlucky for Haddix though. Felix Mantilla of the Braves became their first baserunner of the evening when an error was called on third baseman Don Hoak. After Mantilla was sacrificed to second by Eddie Matthews, Hank Aaron was intentionally walked to improve the chances of a forceout or doubleplay. Joe Adcock was the next batter and he ripped a hanging slider to deep centerfield, just clearing the fence beyond Bill Virdon's reach.

But the fun was not yet over! Hank Aaron did not realize that Adcock's drive had gone over the fence for a home run. He thought the game was over when Mantilla crossed the plate. Therefore, he trotted accross the infield to the Braves dugout. Adcock passed Aaron as he rounded the bases and both Aaron and Adcock were ruled out. The home run then became a double, the score of the game ended at 1-0, Lou Burdette won a 12-hit shutout and Harvey Haddix lost the greatest game of all time with 12 perfect innings pitched and one hit and one run allowed in 12 1/3 innings pitched.
HARVEY HADDIX INFORMATION.....

NICKNAME: The Kitten
BORN: September 18,1925---Medway, OH
DIED: January 8, 1994---Springfield, OH
BATTTED: left
THREW: Left
HEIGHT: 5' 9.5"
WEIGHT: 170 lbs
PIRATE RECORD: 45-38( 5 yrs, 1959-64)
WORLD SERIES RECORD: Won games #5 & #7---1960
MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD: 136-113 w/3.63 ERA
CAREER SPAN: (14years, 1952-1965)
TOP SEASONS: 1953, 20 wins, 1954, 18 wins

The Mayor Remembers "THE KITTEN"......

Harvey Haddix received his nickname of "The Kitten" early in his major league career. He broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1952 and one of his teammates and fellow pitchers was Harry Brecheen. Harry was an excellent fielder and could really move around and defend his position so he had acquired the nickname of Harry "The Cat" Brecheen. Haddix was also an excellent fielding pitcher and since he was younger and smaller than "the Cat" he became Harvey "the Kitten" Haddix.

I was twelve and a half years old and just finishing the seventh grade as I was listening to that historic Pirate game broadcast from the Milwaukee County Stadium. As I lay on the living room carpet, I was alternately hoping that the Braves wouldn't get on base and that the Pirates would score a run. This went on for twelve innings. Then, that fateful and unlucky thirteenth inning came and my hopes were smashed---but I knew even then, that I had just listened to the greatest game ever pitched.

In the late fifties and early sixties our family lived about ten miles north of Pittsburgh, off of Route 8, which ran from Pittsburgh north to Butler. Harvey Haddix and his family lived one road to the south of us, also off of Route 8. It wasn't uncommon to see Harvey around the neighborhood--he was always a gentleman and always courteous to his fans.

In the 1960 World Series "the Kitten" performed superbly. He won one game as a starter and he picked up the win in the thrilling last game in relief. In addition he batted .333 with one hit in three attempts.

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