Sports

Johnny Vander Who?

by David Neal Keller

Postgame Analysis

Johnny Vander Meer's nine-game winning streak ended on July 3, 1938, when the Chicago Cubs beat him 4-3. Three days later, he started for the National League in the annual All-Star game, giving up just one single in his allotted three innings against American League players, to become the winning pitcher in a 4-1 victory.

He remained with the Reds until 1949, except for a leave of absence for naval service in 1944-'45. He went to the Chicago Cubs in 1950, and ended his major league career with the Cleveland Indians in 1951. After a minor league stint, which included a no-hitter for Tulsa of the Texas League on July 15, 1952, a long-developing sore arm finally forced him to give up pitching to manage and coach the Reds' Class AAA and D teams until retiring from baseball in 1963.

His 382-game major league career record of 119-121 included winning ten or more games six times, and pitching in two additional All-Star games, as well as the 1940 World Series. He led the National League in strikeouts three times, and in 1949, he pitched 15 innings of a 19-inning scoreless tie against Brooklyn, the longest such game in baseball history.

In responding to questions about his accomplishment, he never failed to credit coaches, teammates, and "all the other fates and elements that combined to make it possible."

Johnny Vander Meer died from an abdominal aneurysm on October 6, 1997, at the age of 82.