Don Wilson
The hardest-throwing pitcher to ever wear the Astros uniform, known for two no-hitters and a tragic death.
Donald Edward Wilson was an American professional baseball pitcher who played all or part of nine seasons with the Houston Astros, from his debut in 1966 until his final game on September 28, 1974. Known as one of the hardest throwers in the National League, Wilson battled significant wildness early in his career while delivering historic performances, including two no-hitters and a franchise-record single-game strikeout total. His career peaked in 1971 when he earned an All-Star selection and Astros MVP honors, leading the league in hits per nine innings. Tragically, his life ended on January 5, 1975, when carbon monoxide asphyxiation claimed him and his young son in their Houston home.
- Role
- Starting Pitcher
- Affiliation
- Houston Astros (1966–1974)
- Status
- Deceased
- Key Achievement
- Two-time No-Hitter pitcher, Single-Game Strikeout Record Holder
- Career Highlight
- All-Star Selection (1971), Astros MVP (1971)
- Notable Record
- First no-hitter in a domed stadium, 18 strikeouts in a single game
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Wilson's legacy is anchored by the rare back-to-back no-hit feat he accomplished on May 1, 1969. After Jim Maloney of the Cincinnati Reds had no-hit the Astros the day before, Wilson returned the favor by throwing a 4–0 no-hitter against the same Reds team at the Astrodome. This marked one of several instances in MLB history where two pitchers threw no-hitters on consecutive days. Earlier in his career, on June 18, 1967, he became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in a domed stadium or on artificial turf when he blanked the Atlanta Braves 2–0 at the Astrodome; the final out was a groundout by Denis Menke. His 1969 season saw him record 16 wild pitches (not the league lead, which went to Bill Singer with 18) while setting a career high with 235 strikeouts.
In Their Own Story
On July 14, during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field, Wilson etched his name into history by recording 18 strikeouts in a single game, a club record that still stands. The atmosphere was electric as he dominated the lineup, leading the Astros to a 6–1 victory. His 1971 season represented his absolute zenith; he posted a career-best 2.45 ERA and went 16–10 while throwing 268 innings with 18 complete games. That year, he became the first and only pitcher in Astros history to lead the league in hits per nine innings (6.5) and was selected to his sole All-Star Game, where he pitched two scoreless innings in relief. He reached 1,000 career strikeouts on September 11, 1972, felling Willie Crawford of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reader's Guide
Fans should remember Wilson not just for his power, but for his volatility; he led the league in wild pitches multiple times, including a career-high 16 in 1969. His 1974 season ended with a final victory on July 30 against the Reds, where he won his 100th game, and concluded with a two-hit shutout against the Atlanta Braves on September 28. Following his death, the Astros retired his number 40 on April 13, 1975, and wore a black circular patch with his number in white on their rainbow jerseys during the 1975 season. The medical examiner ruled his death accidental after finding him in the passenger seat of his running Ford Thunderbird inside an attached garage, which also claimed the life of his five-year-old son.
Did You Know?
- Wilson threw the first no-hitter ever pitched in a domed stadium or on artificial turf against the Atlanta Braves on June 18, 1967.
- He is one of several pitchers in MLB history to throw a no-hitter the day after another pitcher threw one, doing so against the Reds just one day after Jim Maloney had no-hit him.
- In 1969, Wilson recorded 16 wild pitches, though the league leader was Bill Singer with 18.
- His death and that of his five-year-old son, Donald "Alex" Alexander, were ruled accidental by the medical examiner due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a running car in an attached garage.
- In 1971, Wilson became the first pitcher in Astros history to lead the league in hits per nine innings with a mark of 6.5.