Don Nottebart – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Nottebart’s name probably won’t show up on Hall of Fame plaques, but his mark on baseball history still matters almost six decades after he hung up his spikes.

Donald Edward Nottebart pitched right-handed for nine seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1960 to 1969. He finished up with the Chicago Cubs after stints with the Milwaukee Braves, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees. His journey through pro baseball is a story of a talented athlete who worked through early setbacks and found a way to earn lasting respect.

Born in West Newton, Massachusetts, Nottebart didn’t take the fast lane to the majors like some top prospects. When he signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, he spent seven years grinding in the minors before finally getting his shot.

He kept at it, and eventually, a trade to the Houston Colt .45s gave him the break he needed.

On May 17, 1963, Nottebart reached his peak—he threw the first no-hitter in Houston franchise history, shutting down the Philadelphia Phillies. That game, during his time with the Colt .45s, still stands out as one of the most memorable moments from the team’s early years.

From his Massachusetts roots to his final innings in Chicago, Nottebart’s story is all about the dedication and skill it takes to make it in baseball.

Early Life and Personal Background

Donald Edward Nottebart was born January 23, 1936, in West Newton, Massachusetts, to Fred and Otta Alice Nottebart. His family’s immigrant roots shaped his early life, and his athleticism at Lexington High School set him on the baseball path.

Family and Childhood in West Newton

Don’s grandparents, Gustaaf and Susan Nottebaert, came over from Belgium in 1902 with their oldest son. Gustaaf found work in a local cigar factory after they settled in America.

Around 1908, the family dropped the second “e” from their last name when their fourth child, Ferdinand, was born. Ferdinand—Don’s dad—worked as a gardener and chauffeur in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Fred met Otta Alice McAndrew, a young woman from Nova Scotia. They got married, and Don was their second child.

Athletic talent ran deep in Don’s family. His uncle Harry, Fred’s brother, made a name for himself as a runner during college. On his mom’s side, her brothers were also solid athletes in Canada.

Education and High School Athletics

Don went to Lexington High School in Massachusetts, where he really stood out in sports. He showed off enough talent to get noticed by several major league scouts.

He was especially impressive on the baseball field. When he graduated in 1954, multiple big league teams wanted to sign him.

Don grew up idolizing Boston Braves pitcher Warren Spahn, who played just ten miles away at Braves Field. He got creative—sometimes watching Spahn’s games on TV through window reflections so he could see a right-handed version of the lefty pitcher.

Career-defining moment: Don later said he got offers from several teams but picked the Braves because of Spahn. “I always liked the Braves because of Spahn and that’s why I signed with them. I just wanted to be in the same organization with my idol.”

Personal Life and Interests

Don’s childhood goal was to become “a right-handed Spahn.” That wasn’t just a kid’s dream—it was something he really chased as he developed as a pitcher.

He didn’t just play the game—he studied it, focusing especially on Warren Spahn’s pitching style and mindset.

Scout Jeff Jones signed Don to his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves right after high school. Jones had a knack for finding pitchers—he also signed Joey Jay and Ken MacKenzie.

Don’s dedication to pitching showed early on. His family gave him both the work ethic and the athletic genes to go far in sports.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Don Nottebart pitched in the majors for nine seasons, from 1960 to 1969. He put together a 36-51 record and a 3.65 ERA over 296 games.

He worked as both a starter and a reliever, moving through five different teams along the way.

MLB Debut and Rookie Years

Nottebart made his big league debut on July 1, 1960, with the Milwaukee Braves at age 24. He had already logged six years in the minors before finally getting the call.

He got his first start against the St. Louis Cardinals in a doubleheader. It didn’t go great—he gave up six runs in four innings and got pulled for a pinch hitter.

But he bounced back in his next three relief outings. He allowed just one earned run over nine-plus innings and picked up his first major league win.

A sore arm cut his first stint with Milwaukee short. After some arm trouble, the team sent him back to the Louisville Colonels on July 21, 1960.

Roles as a Starting Pitcher and Reliever

Nottebart shifted between starting and relieving throughout his career, depending on what his team needed. His biggest moment came as a starter on May 17, 1963, when he tossed a no-hitter for the Houston Colt .45s against the Phillies.

Starting Pitcher Success:

• Went 11-8 with a 3.17 ERA in 1963
• Finished nine complete games out of 27 starts that year
• Notched his first career shutout on August 21, 1963, against Cincinnati

Relief Role Effectiveness:

• Found his groove working out of the bullpen
• Put up a 2.84 ERA in 47 relief outings for Cincinnati in 1967
• Served as a key reliever for Milwaukee in 1961 and 1962

Teams Represented During MLB Tenure

Nottebart played for five teams during his nine years in the majors, moving around through trades and transactions.

Milwaukee Braves (1960-1962): He signed as an amateur free agent in 1954 and spent most of his early career establishing himself mainly as a reliever.

Houston Colt .45s/Astros (1963-1965): Houston picked him up in a multi-player trade on November 30, 1962. This was where he had his best years, including the no-hitter in 1963.

Cincinnati Reds (1966-1967): He landed in Cincinnati, mostly pitching in relief and posting some of his best ERA numbers.

New York Yankees (1969): He made just four appearances in April 1969 before the Yankees returned him to Cincinnati, who then traded him again.

Chicago Cubs (1969): He wrapped up his career with 18 innings for the Cubs, but a muscle tear ended his season—and his time in the majors.

Houston Colt .45s / Astros Era

Don Nottebart really hit his stride after joining the Houston Colt .45s in late 1962. He threw the franchise’s first no-hitter in 1963, and his time with the expansion team showed both his potential and the tough reality of playing for a struggling club.

Historic 1963 No-Hitter Achievement

On May 17, 1963, Nottebart made Houston baseball history by tossing the first no-hitter in Colt .45s franchise history. It happened at Colt Stadium against the Phillies, with just 8,223 fans in the stands.

Nottebart kept the Phillies off balance with sliders, sinkers, and slip pitches. The game lasted two hours and 12 minutes. Philadelphia scratched out one unearned run in the fifth after shortstop J.C. Hartman made an error.

The most nerve-wracking moment came with two outs in the ninth. Nottebart faced his old Braves teammate Wes Covington, who was batting .374. Covington lifted a fly ball down the left field line, and Al Spangler made the catch to seal the no-hitter.

That was only Nottebart’s 19th big league start. Don McMahon, a former teammate who’d seen six other no-hitters, called it “the smoothest I’ve ever seen.”

Standout Seasons and Performance Metrics

Nottebart’s 1963 season was easily his best with the Colt .45s. He finished 11-8 with a 3.17 ERA, which actually beat the National League average of 3.29 that year. It was the only time in his career he reached double-digit wins.

He did all this while pitching for an expansion team that just couldn’t score runs. The Colt .45s were at the bottom of the league in runs from 1962 to 1964, so wins were hard to come by.

Key Stats with Houston:

• 1963: 11-8 record, 3.17 ERA
• 1964: 6-17 record, 4.28 ERA
• 1965: Limited appearances before getting traded

The 1964 season was rough. He started 0-7 with a 5.50 ERA through May, thanks to shoulder problems that started in spring training. Injuries to his knee and back kept him out almost all of July. Still, when he was healthy, he showed flashes of his 1963 form, posting a 2.84 ERA.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Don Nottebart’s nine-year career featured a historic no-hitter and steady performances with five major league teams. Injuries and team changes kept his stats from being eye-popping, but he still made his mark.

Statistical Milestones

Nottebart finished with a career record of 36 wins and 51 losses over 296 games from 1960 to 1969. His career ERA was right in line with the era, though he never quite got to double-digit wins except for that one standout season.

In 1963, he picked up 11 wins and posted a 3.17 ERA for Houston, just a tick better than the league average.

He wasn’t a big strikeout guy, which fit the style of the early ‘60s. Injuries often cut his best seasons short.

Nottebart didn’t rack up many saves, since he spent his best years as a starter for Houston.

Notable Games and Moments

Nottebart’s claim to fame came on May 17, 1963, with the first no-hitter in Houston Colt .45s franchise history against the Philadelphia Phillies. Only 8,223 people were there to see it at Colt Stadium.

Teammate Don McMahon said it was “the smoothest I’ve ever seen.” Nottebart used sliders, sinkers, and slip pitches to keep the Phillies guessing all day.

The Phillies managed one unearned run in the fifth thanks to a shortstop error. That made it just the third no-hitter since 1920 where the team without a hit scored a run.

The last out came when Wes Covington, hitting .374, sent a fly ball to left that Al Spangler caught. Almost a year later, Nottebart nearly did it again but lost his no-hit bid with two outs in the seventh.

Transition Between Teams

Nottebart’s career took him through five organizations. The Milwaukee Braves signed him in 1954, and he debuted in the majors with them on July 1, 1960. His first start didn’t go well, but he stuck with it.

The Houston Colt .45s picked him up in November 1962, thanks in part to a strong recommendation from Don McMahon. Houston gave him a regular spot in the rotation, and it paid off.

After Houston, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, then to the New York Yankees in 1969. He only pitched four times for New York before getting dealt to the Chicago Cubs.

Injuries really caught up to him in Chicago. He only pitched 18 innings before a muscle tear ended his season and, honestly, his big league career at age 33.

Final MLB Years and Retirement in 1969

Don Nottebart’s last season in the majors didn’t go the way he’d hoped. The 1969 campaign saw him moving between the Yankees and Cubs, but injuries finally forced him to call it quits after a nine-year career that included that unforgettable no-hitter for Houston.

1969 Season with New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs

The 1969 season kicked off with Nottebart trying to make a comeback with the New York Yankees. He managed just four short appearances in April, and then the team sent him back to his old club, the Cincinnati Reds.

Nottebart barely unpacked in Cincinnati. Within 24 hours, the Reds traded him to the Chicago Cubs, and he hoped he could somehow revive his faltering career.

At this stage, Nottebart was 33 and, honestly, past his prime. He couldn’t find the form that once made him a valuable pitcher in the majors.

The Cubs didn’t give him many chances. He pitched in only 16 games that season and finished with a 1-1 record and a rough 7.00 ERA.

Injuries and Muscle Tear Impact

Injuries just wouldn’t leave Nottebart alone, and 1969 was no exception. His short return to the National League got derailed by physical problems that really limited him.

A muscle tear ended his season and his major league career. That injury kept him to just 18 innings with the Cubs.

The muscle tear ended up being the last straw. His body simply couldn’t handle the grind of major league pitching anymore.

Retirement from Baseball

Nottebart made his final major league appearance on September 6, 1969, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched only a third of an inning and gave up three runs in what turned out to be his last shot in the big leagues.

That outing felt like a fitting, if frustrating, end to his season. After allowing four hits and three runs in such a short stint, it was clear his major league days were done.

He spent most of 1970 with the Cubs’ AA team after leaving the majors. Nottebart then quit baseball for good, officially ending his professional career.

His retirement wrapped up a nine-year run in the majors, from 1960 to 1969. Over 296 games with five different teams, he put together a 36-51 record.

Legacy, Life After Baseball, and Passing

Don Nottebart walked away from baseball in 1969, leaving behind a career full of both highs and lows, especially that famous no-hitter for Houston in 1963. After retirement, he mostly stayed out of the spotlight, but his impact on the Houston Astros lasted until his passing in 2007.

Post-Retirement Activities

After he retired in 1969, Nottebart kept a pretty low profile. He settled down in Texas, where he’d made his mark with the Houston Colt .45s and Astros.

Unlike some former players who jump into coaching or broadcasting, Nottebart chose a quieter route. He didn’t go after big roles in baseball after his playing days.

He still connected with the game, showing up for the occasional event and chatting with fans who remembered his historic achievements. His no-hitter on May 17, 1963, against the Phillies stayed his most famous moment.

Nottebart’s life after baseball really reflected the era he played in. Most players back then needed new careers after retiring, since 1960s baseball didn’t pay enough for long-term security—even for guys like Nottebart.

Impact on Houston Astros History

Don Nottebart’s biggest legacy with the Houston Astros comes from his place in franchise history as the pitcher who threw their first no-hitter. On May 17, 1963, he did something no one else had done for the young franchise.

That no-hitter came during his first season as a starter, after years in the bullpen. Only 8,223 fans were there at Colt Stadium to see it, but the game became a huge part of early Astros history.

Key Historical Significance:

• First no-hitter in Houston Colt .45s/Astros franchise history
• Thrown in the team’s second year of existence
• Stayed the franchise’s only no-hitter for years

His performance helped give the expansion team some credibility during their early struggles. The Astros have honored his achievement as a big part of their history, making sure fans remember him as one of the franchise’s notable figures.

By 2012, Houston pitchers had thrown ten no-hitters, but Nottebart’s 1963 gem was the first. That game locked in his spot in Astros lore.

Passing and Remembrance

Don Nottebart died on October 4, 2007, in Cypress, Texas. He was 71.

He chose cremation, which really reflected how private he liked to keep things after his baseball days. Baseball historians and Houston Astros fans took notice, remembering what he brought to the franchise.

When he passed, it was a time when a lot of players from his era were leaving us. Nottebart actually got to see the Houston Astros change from a struggling expansion team into something a lot more competitive.

His obituaries mostly talked about his baseball achievements, especially that historic no-hitter everyone associates with him. People at Baseball Reference and the Society for American Baseball Research kept his stats and bio alive for anyone who wants to look back.

The Houston Astros organization recognized that they’d lost a key figure from their early days. That no-hitter of his still stands out as a big moment in the team’s history, so fans and historians aren’t likely to forget him anytime soon.