Remembering Virgil "Fire" Trucks.

Today I have learned of the passing of Virgil "Fire" Trucks.

Virgil Trucks spent 17 years in the big leagues, most of them with the Detroit Tigers.

Yesterday Trucks nephew sent this Tweet to Tigers P Justin Verlander...

jakob trucks ‏@jakobtrucks2215h

@JustinVerlander my great grandfather is Virgil Trucks.He passed away today. He gave you your no hitter award in 2007.

Virgil Trucks pitched in 517 games, starting 328, compiling a 177-135 record, with a 3.39 ERA.

After one appearance in 1941,Trucks went 14-8 in 1942 for the Tigers, with a 2.84 ERA.

Trucks won 16 games in 1943, then headed off to World War II.

In 1946 Trucks won 14 games for the Tigers, then won 10 games in '47, 14 in '48, and in 1949 Trucks won 19 games for the Tigers while leading the American League with 6 shutouts.

For Tigers fan Trucks is special because of two games in 1952.

Two legendary games.

In 1952 Trucks didn't exactly have what you would call a good season, winning just 5 games and losing 19.

However, of those 5 wins, Virgil trucks is special in Tigers history for pitching 2 no hitters.

On May 15th "Fire" Trucks no-hit the Washington Senators, 1-0, and then on August 25th he no-hit the New York Yankees, 1-0, as well.

Only four other big league pitchers have accomplished what Trucks did in twirling those two gems in one baseball season, Johnny Van Der Meer(back-to-back in 1938), Allie Reynolds, Nolan Ryan, and Roy Halladay.

Trucks got back from World War II just in time for the 1945 World Series, winning Game 2 vs. the Chicago Cubs as the Tigers won the teams second championship, beating the Cubs in seven games.

We say a prayer for Virgil Trucks, and his family today.

May God Bless them.

Thanks Virgil, for being a great Tiger, and a greater person.

Special thanks to Graham Womack @grahamdude , at Baseball Past and Present for Tweeting the news today.