On This Date in Sports May 6, 1953: Bobo No-No

In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com

Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns pitches a no-hitter in his first major league start, blanking the Philadelphia Athletics 6-0 at Busch Stadium. Holloman, a 30-year-old rookie, would spend just one season in the majors, posting a record of 3-7. He was the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his first start since 1893, and the third overall behind Ted Breitenstein in 1891 and Bumpus Jones and 1893. 

Alva Lee Holloman, better known by the nickname Bobo was born on March 7, 1923, in Thomaston, Georgia. Raised in Athens, Georgia, Holloman enlisted in the Navy and served as a Seabee in World War II. After the war, Bobo Holloman began his minor league career with the Macon Peaches after colleagues in the Navy convinced him to try out. Bobo Holloman spent seven years in the minors before getting a chance to play in the big leagues, thanks to Browns' manager Marty Marion. 

Before making his first start, Bobo Holloman made four relief appearances, compiling a 0-1 record with an ERA of 8.44. Both the Athletics and Browns were off to respectable starts, as the Browns were 9-9 and the A's were 10-8 for manager Jimmy Dykes. Playing at Sportsman's Park, which had been recently renamed Busch Stadium in honor of the beer magnate that had recently purchased the St. Louis Cardinals. Morrie Martin made the start for Philadelphia with a 1-0 record. 

Bobo Holloman set down the first six batters in order, while the Athletics scored an unearned run that was knocked in by Holloman himself. Bobo pitched around a walk in the third as he was bailed out by a line-drive double play. Throughout the game, Holloman was helped by his defense as Browns' owner Bill Veeck called it the least stellar no-hitter in baseball history. Bobo Holloman had just three strikeouts and walked five batters. Jim Dyck singled in a run in the third to give the Browns a 2-0 lead. Vic Wertz had an RBI double in the fourth to make it 3-0, while it became 4-0 on a hit by Johnny Groth in the sixth. Bobo Holloman had a two-run single in the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 6-0. Holloman faltered at the finish, walking three in the ninth. However, a double play prevented any damage as Eddie Robinson flew out to Vic Wertz in rightfield to end the game. 

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Bobo Holloman struggled after his no-hitter, posting a record of 3-7 with an ERA of 5.23 before being sent back to the minors in July. He would never pitch in the majors again. The three wins are the fewest for any pitcher that threw a no-hitter after 1900. The Browns, in their final season in St. Louis, lost 100 games and finished dead last in the American League. The Athletics in their penultimate season in Philadelphia was not much better, losing 95 games as they finished in seventh place.