Lenny Yochim

Who was Lenny Yochim?

Leonard Joseph Yochim was a professional baseball pitcher. He played in parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951 and 1954, and later served in the organization for almost four decades. Yochim batted and threw left-handed.

Yochim was born and died in New Orleans, Louisiana. Highly touted by the Pittsburgh Pirates during his career, he was a screwball specialist and had a good curve as well, but a sore arm limited him to pitch in only 28.1 innings. He pitched in two games in 1951 and ten in 1954, ending his major league career with a 1-2 record and a 7.62 ERA in 12 games.

His professional career highlight came on December 8, 1955, when he became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League for the Leones del Caracas club. Helped by catcher Earl Battey, Yochim accomplished the feat in the Caracas 3–0 victory over the Navegantes del Magallanes. Ramón Monzant was credited with the loss.

Besides, he also played in the league for Vargas, Gavilanes and Magallanes, compiling a 29-20 record and a 3.57 ERA in 86 games from 1952 through 1956, while pitching for Caracas in the 1953 Caribbean Series.