Dan Spillner wanted out of Hawaii. As exotic a destination as it was, that’s where the Padres’ Triple-A club was stationed and the 22-year-old right-hander believed he was ready for the majors.
He proved his point on this date — June 19 — in 1974, one-hitting the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in his fifth career start. Spillner struck out three and walked six in a 1-0 victory.
All that stood between Spillner and the no-hitter that still eludes the Padres to this day is the infield single Rick Monday bounced off the pitcher’s thigh with two outs in the third inning.