Already saddles with one of the most awesome nicknames in MLB history, RHP Virgil "Fire" Trucks won 177 games over the course of his of his 17 year MLB career. Trucks passed away a little over a year and a half ago at the age of 95. After serving in the US Navy in World War II, Trucks made one start for the Detroit Tigers in September of 1945. He got a no decision, pitching into the 6th inning while giving up 3 hits and a run in a 6-3 victory over the St Louis Browns on September 30th. He would continue to pitch in October, starting two games for the Tigers in their World Series victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Trucks would win 20 games for the 1953 Browns and Chicago White Sox and win 19 games a year later for the Sox. In addition to a 19 win 1949 Tigers season, Trucks put up a number of very good seasons during his career. Of course, Trucks is also known for a feat which occurred in the 1952 season while pitching in Detroit. Trucks would finish the season with one of his worst as a pro. He was 5-19 on a offensively challenged 50-104 Tigers team whose General Manager was former Tigers 2B and Baseball HOF Charlie Gehringer. The team was managed by five time World Series Champion 3B Red Rolfe (Yankees). Rolfe, despite a couple winning seasons at the Tigers helm, including a 95 win season in 1950, was let go after 72 games and replaced by Tigers player and future NL Pennant winning Reds manager Fred Hutchinson.
In spite of the teams struggles, and Trucks own winning percentage he's like to forget, Trucks managed to thrown 8 complete games and three shutouts. So, out of his 5 wins for the season, three of them were complete game shutouts. And, as we all know, two of the shutouts were no hitter. The first came on May 15th against the Washington Senators, allowing just one walk in the process. His second came against the Yankees on August 25th, where he managed to retire the final 20 batters to face him. In between his two no hitters, Trucks went 3-13 in his 16 decisions in between. While it is quite possible that a pitcher can thrown two no hitters on a team as bad as the 1952 Tigers, it is seriously unlikely that a pitcher will ever again throw two no hitters on a team that loses over 100 games. More unlikely is a pitcher losing 19 games in a season while throwing 2 NHs. Just about impossible is a pitcher throwing 2 NHs in the same season where they finish 14 games under .500. Remember, Trucks won 5 of his 24 decisions in 1952, two of them were no hitters!
The other feat will never see again was done by Trucks before he ever pitched in a big league game. Trucks, who was always known for his fastball, was signed in 1938 at age 21. For some reason, the Tigers decided they didn't need Trucks in the big leagues that season. He was assigned to the Alabama/ Florida League in Class D. His team, the Andalusia Bulldogs, would be forever grateful that Trucks remained with their team all season. Trucks would make 38 starts and finish the season 25-6, 1.25. His 418 Ks for the season is the most ever recorded in a professional game. Even with the massive amount of strikeouts today, we are likely to have another pitcher top 350 Ks, let alone Nolan Ryan's record of 383 in a single season. (Of course, Ryan's MLB record is the modern day record as 7 pitchers between the years of 1884-1886 recorded between 385 and 513 Ks in a season.) I also cannot imagine a pitcher pitching at any level in the minor leagues and remaining there to amass that many strikeouts.
Trucks would win 20 games for the 1953 Browns and Chicago White Sox and win 19 games a year later for the Sox. In addition to a 19 win 1949 Tigers season, Trucks put up a number of very good seasons during his career. Of course, Trucks is also known for a feat which occurred in the 1952 season while pitching in Detroit. Trucks would finish the season with one of his worst as a pro. He was 5-19 on a offensively challenged 50-104 Tigers team whose General Manager was former Tigers 2B and Baseball HOF Charlie Gehringer. The team was managed by five time World Series Champion 3B Red Rolfe (Yankees). Rolfe, despite a couple winning seasons at the Tigers helm, including a 95 win season in 1950, was let go after 72 games and replaced by Tigers player and future NL Pennant winning Reds manager Fred Hutchinson.
In spite of the teams struggles, and Trucks own winning percentage he's like to forget, Trucks managed to thrown 8 complete games and three shutouts. So, out of his 5 wins for the season, three of them were complete game shutouts. And, as we all know, two of the shutouts were no hitter. The first came on May 15th against the Washington Senators, allowing just one walk in the process. His second came against the Yankees on August 25th, where he managed to retire the final 20 batters to face him. In between his two no hitters, Trucks went 3-13 in his 16 decisions in between. While it is quite possible that a pitcher can thrown two no hitters on a team as bad as the 1952 Tigers, it is seriously unlikely that a pitcher will ever again throw two no hitters on a team that loses over 100 games. More unlikely is a pitcher losing 19 games in a season while throwing 2 NHs. Just about impossible is a pitcher throwing 2 NHs in the same season where they finish 14 games under .500. Remember, Trucks won 5 of his 24 decisions in 1952, two of them were no hitters!
The other feat will never see again was done by Trucks before he ever pitched in a big league game. Trucks, who was always known for his fastball, was signed in 1938 at age 21. For some reason, the Tigers decided they didn't need Trucks in the big leagues that season. He was assigned to the Alabama/ Florida League in Class D. His team, the Andalusia Bulldogs, would be forever grateful that Trucks remained with their team all season. Trucks would make 38 starts and finish the season 25-6, 1.25. His 418 Ks for the season is the most ever recorded in a professional game. Even with the massive amount of strikeouts today, we are likely to have another pitcher top 350 Ks, let alone Nolan Ryan's record of 383 in a single season. (Of course, Ryan's MLB record is the modern day record as 7 pitchers between the years of 1884-1886 recorded between 385 and 513 Ks in a season.) I also cannot imagine a pitcher pitching at any level in the minor leagues and remaining there to amass that many strikeouts.
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