Cheers before jeers

Kevin Millwood during his no-hitter 23 years ago in South Philly

Twenty-three years ago today, Kevin Millwood becomes the second and last Philadelphia Phillies pitcher – Terry Mullholland being the first in 1990 – to throw a no-hitter in the 33-year history of Veterans Stadium.

Naturally, the ovation is loud and long for Milwood, who beats the San Francisco Giants 1-0 before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 40,016 at the Vet.

“It was one of those special days,” Millwood says after a game in which he strikes out 10 and walks three, “and I don’t plan on doing it every time out, but it was a lot of fun.”

The no-hitter runs Millwood’s record to 4-1.

The rest of the season, though, does not go as well for the right-hander, who loses 11 of his final 21 decisions to finish the season at 14-12.

The last of those 12 losses comes to Atlanta in the final game ever played at The Vet on Sept. 28, 2003.

Naturally, with Philly being Philly and where fond memories can become short memories, fans shower Millwood with boos when he leaves the field in the top of the fifth inning of the season finale, trailing the Braves 4-2 in a game the Phillies eventually lose 5-2.

In response, Millwood tosses his glove into the stands.

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