Rex Barney No-Hits the Giants at the Polo Grounds

On September 9, 1948, Rex Barney of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. He struck out four and walked two in the first no-hitter thrown at the Polo Grounds in 33 years. The last out came when Whitey Lockman grounded to shortstop Pee Wee Reese, who threw to first baseman Gil Hodges.

Barney was 23 years old and in the middle of the best season of his brief career. He finished 1948 with a 15-13 record, the only winning season he would produce. His fastball was electric, widely considered one of the hardest in the National League. His control was erratic and would ultimately end his career. "Rex Barney would be the league's best pitcher," a scouting report once concluded, "if the plate were high and outside."

The no-hitter came during a tight pennant race. The Dodgers were chasing the Boston Braves in the National League standings, and every win carried weight. Brooklyn finished the season in third place, seven and a half games back, but Barney's no-hitter was a bright spot in a disappointing stretch.

Barney had served in the Army during World War II and saw combat in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to baseball in 1946 and showed flashes of brilliance for the next three seasons. By 1950, his wildness had become unmanageable. He walked 48 batters in 82 innings that year and was out of the major leagues by age 25.

After his playing career, Barney became the public address announcer at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, where his signature call "Give that fan a contract!" became a beloved part of Orioles games for decades. The no-hitter on September 9, 1948, remains the defining game of a career full of promise that never fully materialized.