Four Phillies tossed no-hitters in the first 23 years of the franchise -- 1885, 1898, 1903 and 1906. Little was known about these no-hitters until newspaper accounts the next day. With the help of the National Baseball Hall of Fame library, a newspaper article was provided.
May 1, 1906
Left-hander John Lush hurled a 6-0 no-no at Brooklyn's Washington Park. He was the youngest Phillies pitcher to toss a no-hitter (20 years, 8 months) and shortest (5-foot-9). His catcher for the game was Jerry Donovan. Lush's season record was 18-15, with a 2.37 ERA.
With a 2-3 record, Lush faced Mal Eason, who would throw a no-hitter two months later. The Phillies scored twice to start the game and finished with 11 hits and three errors. Lush walked three and struck out 11. The time of game: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
"The most notable pitching performance of the year in the Major Leagues -- the first no-hit and no-run game recorded -- was played this afternoon at Washington Park, Brooklyn. Hugh Duffy's Philadelphia Nationals, meeting the Superbas, performed the shutting out process, and Johnnie Lush, of Duffy's staff, did the record pitching. Lush is a left-hander who has been doing some remarkable work this spring. Already he had pitched a two-hit game, but today he pulled off the hitless stunt without anything occurring in the way of doubtful decisions on hits or errors that could cast the slightest reflection on his right to his record.
"Lush's feat was the more remarkable from the fact that he further contributed to his record performance by striking out eleven of the locals. He passed three men to first on balls, two of these being in succession, in the second inning. This was as far as any of the Brooklynites got." -- Detroit Free Press, May 2, 1906.
Born in Williamsport, Pa., Lush attended Girard Prep in Philadelphia. He pitched seven seasons in the National League, Phillies (1904-07) before being traded to Cardinals June 10, 1907, for right-hander Buster Brown. During his Cardinals career (1907-14), Lush tossed a six-inning no-hitter on Aug. 6, 1908, vs. Brooklyn, 2-0. He compiled a 66-85 career record, including 23-26 with the Phillies.
Lush photo courtesy of National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.