Former Cubs pitcher Cardwell dies

Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Pitcher Don Cardwell, famed for pitching a no-hitter in his first start with the Chicago Cubs, died Monday in North Carolina at 72.

Cardwell was the first Major League Baseball pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his first start with a new team. The shut out occurred against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 15, 1960, two days after he was traded to the Cubs by the Phillies. The Chicago Tribune said the event became part of television history because of Moose Moryn's catch of a sinking liner in left field for the final out as announcer Jack Brickhouse screamed, "C'mon Moose ..."

Cardwell recalled the event years later to WGN.

"Then all you-know-what broke loose with people coming on the field," he said. "The ushers tried to hold people back, but there was just no way. I was trying to get off the field, because there was just so many people right on top of you. For years, I've told people I just didn't want to spike anybody."

He was traded to the Cardinals in 1962 and played for the Pirates, the Mets and the Braves before retiring at the end of the 1970 season.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.