TOM KNIGHT: ‘Double No-Hit Johnny’ thrilled fans with rare feat
The Cincinnati Reds were training in Tampa, Fla. in the spring of 1939 and their first exhibition game was with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Brooklyn General Manager Larry MacPhail thought it would be a great attraction if the Reds could pitch Johnny Vander Meer and Paul Derringer against the boys from Flatbush. The Reds agreed.
After all, the year before, Vandy pitched his two consecutive no-hitters and Derringer won 20 games. So the game with the two star pitchers was thus advertised and every ticket for the little Tampa ballpark was sold.
The stands were packed early the day of the game and the crowd was as enthusiastic as if it were opening day of the regular season. But they were disappointed. Both “Big Paul” and “The Double No-Hit Kid” were taken ill with the flu and hauled off to the local hospital. Right before game time, an announcement was made that since the two billed aces would not appear as publicized, anyone who wanted to could leave and have their money refunded. Not one fan accepted the kind offer!