Game to Remember: Fraser's no-hitter

April 26th, 2018

Four Phillies tossed no-hitters in the first 23 years of the franchise -- 1885, 1898, 1903 and 1906. There was a long dry spell until Jim Bunnng's perfect game in 1964. Since then, there have been seven, including a gem in 2014 in which four pitchers combined on a no-hitter. Through social media, the entire world knew in seconds about that gem. Little was known about the first four Phillies no-hitters until newspaper accounts the next day. With the help of the Baseball Hall of Fame library, a long sentence was obtained on the following Game to Remember.
September 18, 1903
RHP Charles "Chick" Fraser, 10-0, at the Chicago Cubs, second game of a Friday doubleheader, the second of six consecutive twinbills ... Age: 30 ... Catcher Red Dooin ... Largest margin of victory for a Phillies no-hitter ... His season record: 12-17, 4.50 ERA.
Phillies Alumni
Backed by a 14-hit attack and a four-run first-inning, the 5-foot-10 Fraser still had to overcome a shoddy defense as his teammates committed four errors, three by SS Rudy Hulswitt. That's the most errors for any player in a no-hitter. Fraser walked five and struck out four. Time of game: 1 hour, 40 minutes. Losing pitcher was Peaches Graham, the only game he pitched in the majors.
"'Chick' Fraser of the Zimmerites shut the Colts out without a run or hit in the second game of the two games played on the west side grounds yesterday, pitching the first full game without a hit in either big leagues this season." -- Chicago Daily Tribune, September 19, 1903.
He pitched 14 seasons in the majors with Louisville (NL), Cleveland (NL), Phillies 1899-1901; 1902-04, Philadelphia (AL), Cincinnati (NL), Chicago (NL). Phillies purchased his contract from Cleveland December 16, 1898 for $900 or $1,000. Compiled a 175-212 record, including 74-75 with Phillies.