It was on this day in 1981 that Nolan Ryan recorded a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  It was Ryan’s fifth career no-hitter.

Ryan was 34 years old at the time and his last no-hitter had come six years earlier against the Baltimore Orioles.  As for this no-hitter, it came while Ryan was pitching for the Houston Astros, as he walked three batters and struck out 11 during the 5-0 victory.  He would finish the season with an 11-5 record and an NL leading 1.69 ERA, good enough to place him fourth in NL Cy Young voting.  Ryan went on to record two more no-hitters during his Hall of Fame career (in 1990 and 1991), giving him a total of seven.

Ryan easily holds the MLB record for most career no-hitters, as his seven are three more than the next closest pitcher (Sandy Koufax, 4).

Here is a look at Terry Puhl making a catch in center field to save Ryan’s fifth career no-hitter.

Notable Birthdays

Scottie Pippen, NBA – Born on September 25,1965 (age 47) in Hamburg, Arkansas

Matt Hasselbeck, NFL - Born on September 25, 1975 (age 37) in Boulder, Colorado

Chauncey Billups, NBA - Born on September 25, 1976 (age 36) in Denver, Colorado