Al Cicotte

Who was Al Cicotte?

Alva Warren Cicotte, nicknamed "Bozo," was a Major League Baseball player.

He played in five seasons in the big leagues with six teams: New York Yankees; Washington Senators; Detroit Tigers; Cleveland Indians; St. Louis Cardinals; and Houston Colt .45's. Born in Melvindale, Michigan, Al Cicotte pitched in 102 big league games, 16 as a starter, and compiled a record of 10-13. In 260 innings pitched, Cicotte had an earned run average of 4.36.

In the minor leagues, he pitched an 11-inning no-hitter for the International League Toronto Maple Leafs against the Montreal Royals on Saturday, September 3, 1960. He walked four batters, three of them in the first inning, and retired 29 men in a row until infielder Sparky Anderson bobbled a ball in the 11th.

Al Cicotte died in 1982 at age 52 in Westland, Michigan. He was survived by his father, Warren John Cicotte, a nephew of Eddie Cicotte, who was one of the "Black Sox" banned from baseball for their alleged involvement in fixing the 1919 World Series.