Skip to content

Remembering Buchholz's epic Red Sox no-hitter

MLB.com

Clay Buchholz, one of the longest-serving members of the Boston Red Sox organization, had his tenure with the club officially come to an end on Tuesday after 10 years of service when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 32-year-old former first-round draft choice of the Red Sox - who was acquired as a supplemental pick after Boston lost Pedro Martinez to the New York Mets - has had an up-and-down career, earning two All-Star appearances. He was also a Cy Young contender in 2010 after a 17-7 season in which he posted a 2.33 ERA.

Buchholz's career got off to a remarkable beginning.

After getting his feet wet in his major-league debut by picking up a win against the Anaheim Angels on Aug. 17, 2007, then-manager Terry Francona told MLB.com "This kid can come up and pitch a no-hitter, and he's going to go back down ... If he throws a no-hitter I may send him back with a present. But he's going back."

A 22-year-old Buchholz made Francona look like an observational genius less than a month later when he became the first Red Sox rookie in franchise history to pitch a no-hitter, tossing one against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 1, walking three and striking out nine during a 10-0 victory at Fenway Park.

Buchholz began the contest by getting Orioles leadoff hitter Brian Roberts to fly out to left field, and three hours later, he completed the exceptional feat by catching Nick Markakis looking with a 1-2 curveball amid a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

During his tenure in Boston, Buchholz earned an 81-61 record with a 3.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 206 appearances, 188 of which were starts. He pitched more than 1,100 innings for the club, while earning north of $43 million.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox