Ken Holtzman was pitching in the big leagues for the Cubs at age 19. The next year, 1966, he matched up against Sandy Koufax in what was billed as “The Battle of the Jewish Lefties” and nearly no-hit the pennant-winning Dodgers on September 25, allowing just one walk and facing the minimum through eight innings, settling for a 2-1, two-hit complete-game win.
He threw a couple of two-hitters in 1968 and another one in early August 1969 and fans figured a no-hitter might eventually happen.
August 19, 1969 dawned sunny in Chicago and, for the season, somewhat cool, with temperatures in the mid-70s and a strong northwest wind blowing in at Wrigley Field.