Virgil Oliver "Fire" Trucks (April 26, 1917 - March 23, 2013) was a beloved Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who, in 1952, became only the third player to throw two no-hitters in a single season. The Detroit Tigers signed Trucks as an amateur free agent in 1938, and in his first minor league season, he set a minor league record for strikeouts (418) and his "blazing" fastball earned him the nickname "Fire." Virgil also threw an amazing four minor league no-hitters before joining the Tigers (1941-1943, 1945-1952, 1956) for a lengthy career. With his playing career interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned to the mound in time to pitch (and win) Game 2 of the 1945 World Series - a series that the Tigers would go on to win over the Chicago Cubs. A two-time All-Star (1949, 1954), Trucks led the American League in shutouts (6) and strikeouts (153) in 1949, and in 1952 -- despite posting an overall record of 5-19 -- hurled two no-hitters. (At the time he joined Johnny Vander Meer and Allie Reynolds on the list of two no-hitters in one year). Though best remembered for his days in the Motor City, Virgil also took the mound for the St. Louis Browns (1953), Chicago White Sox (1953-1955), Kansas City Athletics (1957-1958), and New York Yankees (1958) during his playing days. He retired with a 177-135 record with a 3.39 career ERA and 1,534 strikeouts, and later spent several seasons as a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, including the 1960 World Series championship team. (Credit: PSA/DNA)
 
The photo paper measures 8x10, but the photo itself is approx. 7.25"x8". It comes unframed but can be framed for an additional fee.