Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Baseball History

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

1. Baseball History Marker

Inscription. On May 13, 1952, at Bristol, Virginia's Shaw Stadium, located less than one mile from here, nineteen year-old Ronald Andrew Necciai, pitching for the Class D Appalachian League Bristol Twins, struck out 27 Welsh Miners in a nine inning no-hit, no-run performance.

In over one million professional baseball games played since organized baseball began in 1869, no one ever has matched "Rocket Ron's" feat that special evening. It remains one of baseball's greatest individual accomplishments.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is May 13, 1952.

Location. 36° 35.677′ N, 82° 10.969′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on Bank Street south of State Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Bank St, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bank Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Paramount Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Cathy DeCaterina (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmie Rodgers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 614-618 State Street (about 400 feet away); Mississippi Country: The Bristol Sessions (about 500 feet away); Bristol Sessions (about 500 feet away); First Country and Western Recording (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Bristol (was within shouting distance of this marker in Virginia but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The marker is a part of a larger Bank Street

Ron Necciai painting and marker on the Bank Street mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

2. Ron Necciai painting and marker on the Bank Street mural

mural. Bank Street is now a pedestrian alley that stretches north to South from State Street to Shelby Street on the Tennessee side of Bristol.

Also see . . . A 27-strikeout no-hitter? 'No big deal'. Recollections of the 27-K game in an interview of Ron Necciai on MLB.com from 2021.

Ron Necciai, now 89 years old and living in Florida, almost seemed amused that I, and others, still want to talk about an unreal game he pitched back in 1952.

"I still get cards, letters and pictures to sign," Necciai said over the phone. "Yeah, surprisingly. It's unbelievable. I haven't played in 70 years..."

The Pirates Minor Leaguer, at just 19 years old, struck out 27 batters, while giving up no hits, in a regulation nine innings. It's the only time that's ever been done at the professional level.

(Submitted on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Wide view of Bank Street Mural from State St.. Baseball History Marker is at the far end. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

3. Wide view of Bank Street Mural from State St.. Baseball History Marker is at the far end.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.