Dave Morehead, the San Diego-born right-hander who etched his name into Boston Red Sox lore with a no-hitter at Fenway Park, passed away on November 23, 2025, at age 82. His death closes a chapter on a resilient MLB career marked by early promise and enduring grit. Fans and historians alike will long celebrate the talent that propelled him from high school fields to major league mounds.
A 1961 graduate of Herbert Hoover High School, Morehead signed as an amateur free agent with the Red Sox at 17, bypassing the nascent draft era. He honed his craft in the minors, posting a 3.72 ERA with Triple-A Seattle in 1962 under manager Johnny Pesky. By 1963, the 19-year-old debuted sensationally, hurling a complete-game shutout against the Washington Senators for his first major league victory.
Morehead’s rookie season yielded 10 wins and a 3.81 ERA over 174 innings, showcasing strikeout prowess with 136 Ks. Arm injuries hampered subsequent years, limiting him to 33 starts in 1966, yet he rebounded for the “Impossible Dream” 1967 pennant winners. In the World Series against St. Louis, he tossed 3⅓ scoreless relief innings, walking four in a valiant effort during Boston’s seven-game defeat.
His pinnacle arrived September 16, 1965, no-hitting Cleveland 2-0 before 1,247 fans, walking Rocky Colavito as the lone baserunner. That gem, outdueling Luis Tiant, stood as the Red Sox’s last until Hideo Nomo in 2001—35 years of Fenway infamy. Morehead finished his Boston tenure 31-50 through 1968, then joined expansion Kansas City Royals for two seasons, retiring in 1970 with 40 wins, 627 strikeouts, and a 4.15 ERA.
Post-baseball, Morehead embraced a quieter life in California, where he coached youth leagues and mentored aspiring pitchers through local clinics. He and his wife of over 50 years raised two children, fostering a home filled with baseball memorabilia and family barbecues overlooking San Diego Bay. His disciplined routine included daily walks and volunteering at veterans’ events, honoring the service ethic from his Hoover roots.
Dave Morehead’s legacy endures as a testament to perseverance, from no-hitter heroics to pennant chases, inspiring Red Sox faithful across generations. At 82, he leaves behind a family enriched by his stories and a sport forever brighter for his contributions.