Kenny Holtzman, who pitched for the Cubs from 1965 through 1971 and 1978-89 passed away yesterday. I have so many memories of Kenny. Let me mention two.
The first was September 25, 1966. It was the game he pitched against Sandy Koufax. Kenny won, of course, taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning before finally giving up two hits. I wrote about it here. Especially see the transcript of the Old Style commercial from 1988.
The second was Kenny’s first no-hitter (see above). I was working that day, at Nash Brothers, making bumpers for trucks and school buses. I got out of work at 3:30 pm. When I got into the car, I immediately turned on the radio. To WGN. Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau. They didn’t say anything, but I could tell that something was going on. And then came the ground ball to Glen Beckert for the final out. Kenny Holtzman had thrown a no-hitter! I am so glad I got to the car in time to hear it.
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