Bill Hawke
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William Victor Hawke (Born: April 28, 1870 in Elsmere, Delaware; Died: December 11, 1902 in Wilmington, Delaware) was a 19th Century Major League Baseball player who pitched for a total of 3 seasons, all in the National League, with a career record of 32 wins and 31 losses. He made is debut on July 28, 1892 for the St. Louis Browns and finishing his career on September 30, 1894 with the Baltimore Orioles. He batted and threw right handed, was 5'8.5" tall and weight 169 pounds.
On June 24, 1893, he started a triple play against the Boston Beaneaters. Hawke recorded the first out then threw it to the second baseman who then recorded the second and third outs to end the inning. It is one of only 104 triple plays that have involved the pitcher.
On August 16, 1893, he pitched a no-hitter against the Washington Senators, a 5-0 victory. It was the first no-hitter at the new distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate. For the 1893 season, the mound was moved from 50 feet to 60 feet 6 inches, the distance that is still used to this day.
On December 11, 1902, he died of carcinoma and was laid to rest at Wilmington & Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delware.
