In the early stages of the 1934 baseball season, Lon Warneke emerged as a strong contender for achieving 30 wins, overshadowing even Dizzy Dean. Pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Warneke delivered a remarkable performance by pitching a one-hitter on Opening Day against the Reds. He followed this feat with another one-hitter in his subsequent start, which notably pitted him against Dean and the Cardinals.
Warneke holds a unique distinction in baseball history as the sole big-league pitcher to achieve back-to-back one-hitters in his first two starts of a season. Hailing from Mount Ida, Arkansas, known as the quartz crystal capital, Warneke began his professional pitching career at the age of 19 in 1928. His debut with the Cubs occurred in 1930, and by 1932, at the age of 23, he experienced a breakout season, leading the National League in both wins and ERA for the pennant-winning Cubs.
Dubbed “The Arkansas Hummingbird” by J. Roy Stockton, Warneke’s pitching prowess was characterized by his darting fastball. Despite his unassuming appearance, described vividly by Bob Broeg, Warneke’s control and confidence on the mound were unwavering, often fueled by his chew of tobacco.
In the 1934 season opener against the Reds, Warneke displayed impeccable control and a diverse pitching arsenal, holding the opposition hitless through six innings. Although denied a no-hitter by Adam Comorosky’s ninth-inning single, Warneke secured a one-hit shutout, garnering praise from both fans and opponents alike.
Just five days later, Warneke replicated his outstanding performance with another one-hitter, this time against Dean and the Cardinals. Despite walking six batters, Warneke’s dominance on the mound led the Cubs to a resounding 15-2 victory, with Warneke contributing not only as a pitcher but also at the plate with two singles.
Warneke’s back-to-back one-hitters preceded Johnny Vander Meer’s historic consecutive no-hitters by four years. Warneke’s emphasis on securing wins rather than fixating on hit counts underscored his competitive mindset.
While other pitchers have achieved Opening Day one-hitters, none have replicated Warneke’s feat of following it with another one-hitter in their second start of the season. Throughout baseball history, pitchers like Bob Feller and Nolan Ryan have accumulated numerous one-hitters, but Warneke’s achievement remains unparalleled.
Warneke’s impressive career spanned stints with both the Cubs and the Cardinals, culminating in a total of 192 wins in the majors. Following his baseball career, Warneke transitioned to become a National League umpire and later served as a county judge in Arkansas.