The “Murray Nonpareil” Throws a Masterpiece
If there was any doubt that Ray Martin was the premier schoolboy pitcher in Massachusetts, it was erased in a single, dominant afternoon in Needham.
Eighty-three years ago today, the Norwood High ace didn’t just win the season opener—illegally dubbed the “Murray nonpareil” by local press—he authored a performance for the ages. Martin dismantled the Needham High lineup, pitching a no-hit, no-run shutout while fanning an incredible 20 batters.
A One-Man Wrecking Crew
While the no-hitter alone would have secured his place in the record books, Martin decided to handle the offense as well. Out of Norwood’s five runs, Martin was directly responsible for four of them.
His stat line for the day looked more like a video game than a high school box score:
- On the Mound: 0 hits, 0 runs, 20 strikeouts.
- At the Plate: 3 hits (including two towering 350-foot triples).
The Needham hitters spent the afternoon wearing a path between home plate and the dugout bench, while Norwood’s infielders “might almost have taken seats in the stands” for all the action they saw.
Game Breakdown
Norwood wasted no time providing their star with a cushion:
- 1st Inning: Mondon opened with an infield hit and a stolen base. Praino drove him in, followed by a massive 350-foot triple by Martin to make it 2-0.
- 3rd Inning: Martin crushed his second triple of the day, eventually scoring on an infield out.
- 7th Inning: Successive singles by Harrington, Praino, and Martin added a fourth insurance run.
- 8th Inning: A Parker single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, allowing Norwood to push across the final tally.
Box Score Highlights
| Team | Runs | Hits | Errors |
| Norwood High | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Needham High | 0 | 0 | 4 |
The Hero of the Day: Ray Martin
The Supporting Cast: Costello (Catcher), who caught all 20 strikeouts; Praino (1b), who went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
National Prominence
Coming off a unanimous All-Scholastic selection the previous year and a stint in the national spotlight with the State Championship Legion Junior nine, Martin proved he hadn’t lost an ounce of velocity during the off-season. In the history of Norwood High athletics, few individual performances have ever matched the sheer dominance displayed on this April afternoon.
-
Norwood High Wins Bay State League Title As Dick Bunker Hurls 2 To 0 No-Hit Shutout-This Day in Norwood History-June 11, 1953
Norwood High journeyed to Natick Monday to play the final game of the ’53 season and With the Bay State Pennant in sight, Dick Bunker hurled his first no-hit game of the season as Norwood posted a 2-0 victory. Sophomore Pots Renzi provided the big punch as he rapped out a single with two in…
-
Dick Bunker, Schoolboy Star-This Day In Norwood History-May 21, 1953
DICK BUNKER is the big reason Norwood High is favored to win the Bay State League baseball championship. . . . The six-foot lefty pitcher-first baseman. an all scholastic pitcher last season, is better than ever—averaging 12 strikeouts and only two walks per game. … He has a great curve ball, plenty of speed and…
-
Dick Bunker, Schoolboy Star-This Day In Norwood History-May 21, 1953
DICK BUNKER is the big reason Norwood High is favored to win the Bay State League baseball championship. . . . The six-foot lefty pitcher-first baseman. an all scholastic pitcher last season, is better than ever—averaging 12 strikeouts and only two walks per game. … He has a great curve ball, plenty of speed and…
-
7 Norwood Candidates Start Climb To Pro Baseball Careers–This Day in Norwood History-March 28, 1947
All War Veterans And Ex-Murraymen By JOHN J. COOK Norwood will be well represented on the collegiate and minor league baseball diamonds this year. Seven young men —all of them veterans and former Norwood High athletes— have left recently or will leave soon-reach with a promising baseball career ahead of him. Do you remember an…
-
Norwood Junior Legion Baseball Squad-This Day In Norwood History-July 26, 1945
This Day In Norwood History-July 26, 1945-Norwood Junior Legion Baseball Squad Click to see the player names.
-
Norwood’s Title Hopes Rest on Young Pitcher Ken Berkland-This Day In Norwood History-April 4, 1944
A 16‑year‑old pitcher steps into the spotlight — can Ken Berkland keep Norwood’s title hopes alive?
-
Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game-This Day in Norwood History-June 18, 1943
June 18, 1943-Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game
-
Ray Marting Pitches No Hitter-This Day In Norwood History-April 29, 1943
Coming off a unanimous All-Scholastic selection the previous year and a stint in the national spotlight with the State Championship Legion Junior nine, Martin proved he hadn’t lost an ounce of velocity during the off-season. In the history of Norwood High athletics, few individual performances have ever matched the sheer dominance displayed on this April…
-
Norwood Youth Association Baseball Champions-This Day In Norwood History-October 7, 1939
The Norwood Press ball team will receive their jackets as champions of the N. Y. A. baseball league on Monday, the 16th. Jackets have been secured for the winners by the Norwood Loyal Order of Moose. Above, front row, left to right: Lou Parsons, p; Argo Bortilotti, lb; Ed Costello, 2b; Doc Thayer, ss; Ray…
-
Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record-This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923
This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923-Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.