June 24th in Los Angeles Dodgers History | VaDodger's Blog

1967 was a year of transition for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team had a recent history of success, capturing World Series titles in 1963 and 1965, and appearing in the Fall Classic as National League champions in 1966. When the bottom fell out for the Dodgers in 1967 to the tune of an 89 loss season, the Dodgers had posted the franchise's worst record in 23 years.

A good part of the reason for the team's struggles was the post-1966 retirement of ace lefthander Sandy Koufax. With Koufax retired, a spot opened in the Dodgers rotation for young righthander Bill Singer. While Singer was certainly not Koufax, the team was confident that he's become a productive member of a pitching staff that was still efficient.

On June 24, 1967 on a Saturday at Dodger Stadium, Singer flashed the ability that made many think he'd become a star. His 2-0 complete game shutout of Juan Marichal and the San Francisco Giants was the first of his career. The shutout wasn't easy (Singer allowed ten San Francisco hits), but Singer struck out ten Giants (including Willie Mays three times) and held the Giants hitless in eight at bats with runners in scoring position.

Singer's career as a Dodger had its ups and downs. He won 20 games in 1969 and made the all-star team, but he won only 69 of 145 decisions. Singer would eventually be dealt to the California Angels in the late fall of 1972 in a deal that brought talented young righthander Andy Messersmith to the Dodgers. As fate would have it,, it would be Messersmith and not Singer who would be a key component in the next Dodger championship team in 1974.

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June 25, 2008 03:21 PM ET

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I remember listening to his no-hitter on July 20, 1970. I thought he was going to be the next big thing, having come off the 20 game win season in 1969 and battling back from mono in 1970. Alas, it was not to be but at least he ended up doing well on OC real estate (or so I hear).