1983-Jul-04 • BOS NYY • Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees - Dave Righetti No Hitter - Radio Call

On July 4, 1983, at Yankee Stadium, left-handed pitcher Dave Righetti delivered a historic no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, leading the New York Yankees to a 4-0 victory in a game that coincided with the 4th of July holiday. The game, broadcast on the New York Yankees Radio Network, was filled with patriotic pageantry, including a parachute drop of the American flag and a pre-game performance of the national anthem. Righetti, who walked four batters and struck out nine, pitched in sweltering 94-degree heat, making his achievement even more remarkable. The Yankees scored their runs in the fifth and eighth innings, with key hits from Steve Kemp, Roy Smalley, and Don Baylor’s ninth home run of the season. Righetti’s no-hitter was the first by a Yankee since Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and it marked a defining moment in his young career. The broadcast, hosted by Frank Messer and John Gordon, captured the electric atmosphere, Righetti’s emotional post-game interview, and the celebration that followed, including a tribute to the Yankees' legacy and a nod to the team’s owner, George Steinbrenner, who was celebrating his birthday. The episode stands as a classic example of baseball storytelling, blending sports, history, and national pride. The episode also features a mix of sponsor messages, including promotions for Shopify, Kendall Motor Oil, Frito-Lay, Eastern Airlines, and Sears Auto Centers, as well as a recurring theme of personal fulfillment and passion in work, reflected in the repeated line: 'We make a career with Gefühl. Das Handwerk.' This philosophical refrain, though seemingly disconnected from the game, underscores a deeper narrative about dedication, craftsmanship, and the emotional payoff of hard work—mirroring Righetti’s own journey from being sent down to the minors to achieving baseball immortality on a national holiday.