On April 24, 1917, George Mogridge etched his name in the franchise’s history books by pitching the first no-hitter for the Yankees, shutting out the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
A native of Rochester and one of the early stars for the New York Yankees, Mogridge was a tall, slender left-handed pitcher who enjoyed a 15-year career in the major leagues, marked by several outstanding achievements.
After attending the University of Rochester, Mogridge made a name for himself in the minor leagues, winning 20 games in three of his first five seasons. He made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 1911, pitching for them for parts of two seasons before the Yankees acquired his contract in 1915.
It was with the Yankees that Mogridge truly shone. Mogridge’s best season came in 1918 when he recorded a 16-13 record with an impressive 2.18 earned run average. He also led the league in games pitched that year, appearing in 45 contests.
During his six-year tenure with the Yankees, Mogridge posted a 2.73 ERA, which remains one of the five best ERAs for a Yankees pitcher in the 20th century.
Mogridge is an inspiration for all Yankees fans
Mogridge’s journey from the University of Rochester to becoming a star pitcher for the Yankees serves as an inspiration for aspiring baseball players, especially those hailing from Rochester. His legacy as the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no-hitter will forever be remembered in the annals of the franchise’s storied history.
After being traded to the Washington Senators, Mogridge enjoyed the most successful years of his major league career. In both 1921 and 1922, he won 18 games, surpassing even his teammate and future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson.
Mogridge’s contributions to the Senators extended beyond the regular season. In the 1924 World Series against the New York Giants, he started and won Game 4. However, his most crucial performance came in the decisive seventh game when he made an emergency relief appearance to save his team from a potential disaster.
When starting pitcher Curly Ogden faltered in the first inning, Washington manager Bucky Harris called upon Mogridge to replace him. Despite pitching on just two days rest, Mogridge delivered a remarkable 4 2/3 innings, allowing only one earned run and keeping the Senators in the game. His efforts set the stage for Washington’s dramatic, 12-inning victory, securing their only World Series championship.
As his career wound down, Mogridge spent time with the St. Louis Browns and Boston Braves before returning to Rochester to manage the city’s minor league team in 1928. He also ventured into the business world, opening a popular restaurant on Buffalo Road and later running a sporting goods store on State Street.
Mogridge passed away in Rochester in 1962 at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy as a hometown hero and a pivotal figure in the history of the New York Yankees and Washington Senators.
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