There have been five no-hitters in the history of the Texas Rangers.
After being with the Rangers for nearly two months, rookie Jim Bibby was the first pitcher in team history to accomplish the feat.
Bibby had made his big league debut in 1972 with St. Louis and was 0-2 with the Cardinals in 1973 before getting traded to the Rangers.
When he arrived in Texas, Bibby had appeared in 12 games and had a 1-5 record with a 5.11 ERA. He lost his first two decisions with Texas before he threw a one-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Kansas City. Fran Healy‘s double in the sixth inning was the only hit.
By July 26, Bibby was 4-4 with Texas and 4-6 overall. That night, he won 7-1 over California as he limited the Angels to two hits as he fanned 10.
The hard-throwing right-hander made history on July 30 with his no-hitter against the Oakland A’s.
Bibby struck out 13 A’s that day as he beat the eventual world champions and former Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue 6-0.
The Rangers scored five runs in the first inning to give Bibby some breathing room. Jeff Burroughs hit a grand slam and Bill Sudakis added a solo shot.
According to the Sporting News Baseball Guide from 1974, Bibby also got a $5,000 bonus after the no-hitter from Rangers owner Bob Short.
Probably the most interesting quote in the Sporting News story was from Oakland’s Gene Tenace.
“I hear he pitched a great game,” Tenace stated. “I didn’t see much of it myself.”
Rest of 1973
Bibby finished the season with the Rangers at 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA. Overall, Texas was last in the American League West with a 57-105.
For the season, Bibby was 9-12 overall with a 3.76 ERA.
Rangers, Indians and Pirates
In 1974, Bibby was 19-19 with the Rangers. A year later, he was sent to Cleveland in a deal for Gaylord Perry. He was 13-7 in 1976, which was his first full season with the Indians.
Bibby was signed by Pittsburgh before the 1978 season. In 1979, he was 12-4 for the Pirates as they won the World Series. Bibby started three games in the post-season that fall.
The 1980 season was statistically the best of Bibby’s career. He finished 19-6 and pitched in the all-star game and was third in the Cy Young balloting behind winner Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles lefty Jerry Reuss.
After missing the 1982 season with an injury, Bibby played with the Pirates in 1983 before returning to the Rangers for a few games in 1984.
In 12 seasons, Bibby was 111-101 with a 3.76 ERA.
The Other No-Hitters
After Bibby, Bert Blyleven no-hit the California Angels in 1977. Ironically, Bibby and Blyleven would be teammates with the 1979 Pirates.
Nolan Ryan would throw his sixth and seventh no-hitters for the Rangers in 1990 and 1991.
Kenny Rogers tossed a perfect game for the Rangers in 1994 against the Angels.
Family Connections
The Bibby family is connected by winning championships.
Jim won the World Series with the Pirates, while his younger brother Henry Bibby was a three-time NCAA champion in basketball with UCLA from 1970 to 1972.
As rookie with the New York Knicks in the 1972-1973 season, Henry as a part of a NBA title.
Henry’s son, Mike Bibby won the NCAA basketball championship with the University of Arizona in 1997.