Tommy Fine
| Tommy Fine | |
|---|---|
 Fine in 1947 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 10, 1914 Cleburne, Texas, U.S. | |
| Died: January 10, 2005 (aged 90) Little Elm, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 26, 1947, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 28, 1950, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 1–3 |
| Earned run average | 6.81 |
| Innings pitched | 72⅔ |
| Teams | |
| |
Thomas Morgan Fine (October 10, 1914 – January 10, 2005) was an American
Despite pitching just two seasons in the major leagues, Fine was a professional baseball pitcher for 15 years (1939–1942; 1946–1956). He is most remembered for his career in Cuban baseball during five seasons, and especially for being the first (and until 2024, the only) pitcher to hurl a no-hitter game in Caribbean Series history.
Professional career
Fine played for the
He made his major league debut in 1947 with the Red Sox and finished with a 1–2 record in seven starts. He appeared in the majors again in 1950 with the Browns and posted 0–1 in 14 games as a reliever.
In his majors career, Fine compiled a 1–3 record and a 6.81
In the minors, he went 157–110 with a 3.35 ERA for 12 different teams during 15 seasons spanning 1939–1956.
Career highlight
On February 21,
Guided by catcher Andrés Fleitas, Fine posted the first no-hitter pitched in any Caribbean Series game, to give his team a 1–0 win against the Cervecería Caracas of Venezuela. He also helped himself, going 1 for 3 while scoring the eventual winning run on Sandy Amorós' single in the 6th inning. Hard-luck losing pitcher Al Papai allowed just four singles. Fine's game would be the only no-hitter in tournament history until Ángel Padrón of Venezuela's Tiburones de La Guaira in 2024.
Five days later, Fine faced the Carta Vieja Yankees of Panama and was close to glory. He was three outs from consecutive no-hitters in the Series, having allowed a single in the ninth inning to break it up. His 17 hitless innings streak also is the longest in Series history.
Personal life
Fine served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[2] Following his baseball retirement, he became a respected businessman and also served as a deacon in the Baptist church.
He died in 2005 in Little Elm, Texas, at the age of 90.
References
- ^ "Fine Breaks up No-Hitter in Scoring 15th victory". The Sporting News. August 7, 1946. p. 27.
- ^ Baseball in Wartime web site
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
- 1952 Caribbean World Series (Spanish)
- Historic Baseball – Obituary
- Venezuelan Professional Baseball League statistics