#36 05/05/62 – Dodger Stadium, L.A. - Bo Belinsky’s No-hitter

Bo Belinsky was like a shooting star, shooting across the Hollywood skyline, then flaming out almost as quickly. As a rookie, Bo burst onto the Hollywood scene by winning his first 5 decisions. In the fourth start of his Major League career, Bo pitched the first no-hitter in Angels’ history.

Bo set down the Orioles in order in the first, striking out the first two. In the bottom of the frame, his teammates posted him to a 1-0 lead on a pair of hits and a wild pitch. In the second, they scored again - on a walk, a double, and a fielder’s choice. Bo, meanwhile, was wild early. He walked four, hit two more, and was the victim of an error behind him. Nevertheless, he somehow escaped unscathed, stranding two runners in the second, three in the fourth, and one each in the fifth and sixth. After that, Belinsky cruised down the stretch – retiring the Orioles one-two-three in each of the final three frames, while registering nine strikeouts, to complete the no-no, and earn a 2-0 victory.

The gem earned Bo instant star status along Sunset Blvd., especially among the female crowd. More importantly, his quick start helped the second year ball club stay in the hunt for the league title while the Angels gained some confidence as a team. Then, even after Bo’s party-hearty lifestyle began to take its toll on his stamina, his teammates were able to keep the ball rolling. On July 4, the Halos climbed into first place by half a game – shocking the baseball world!

Of course, the success couldn’t last. In the second half, the Angels’ inexperience began to catch up with them. Still, they hung tough until the second week of September, when they were only four games out. Then the rug was pulled out from under them. They lost 12 of their last 16 to finish with an 86-76 record – good enough for 3^rd place in the AL, but 10 games behind the AL champion Yankees.

Bo milked his fame for all it was worth. His name is still bandied about in sports’ circles despite an extremely lackluster 28-51 career record. In any case, his name will always be etched in Angels’ history as the first Halo pitcher to defeat his opponent without allowing a hit.