 Opening Day of the 1940 season featured a no @-@ hitter from Feller against the Chicago White Sox . Feller was assisted by Indians second baseman Ray Mack when he made a diving play to record the final out . This is the only no @-@ hitter to be thrown on Opening Day in major league history . He followed his no @-@ hitter with a six @-@ run , three @-@ inning performance in his next start , however , in a game against the Detroit Tigers . By the end of the season he had a 27 – 11 record , his win total the best in the majors that season and a career @-@ high for Feller . He accomplished a pitching triple crown for the 1940 season as he led the AL in ERA ( 2 @.@ 61 ) , wins ( 27 ) and strikeouts ( 261 ) ( the latter two led the entire majors ) . Feller also led the majors with 31 complete games and 320 @.@ 1 innings pitched , and won the Sporting News Player of the Year Award . Feller later assessed his first few years in the majors : " I relied on the catcher too much . It 's swell to have a good catcher calling ' em for you , but the pitcher should take responsibility on his own shoulders . " 
