Reminiscent of graceful Herb Pennock, Parnell was one of the most stylish and successful Red Sox lefthanders ever, as well as a consummate gentleman. Successful in Fenway Park (70-30) with its looming Green Monster, he handled righthanded hitters with baffling inside sliders. In 1949 he was the AL’s leader in wins (25) and ERA (2.77). He won 18 in each of the next two seasons. After an off-year in 1952, he rebounded with a 21-8 mark in 1953. Parnell struggled with a bad elbow for three more years before retiring, but in his final season, he threw the Red Sox’ first no-hitter in 33 years (7/14/56). “I never did reach a state of nervousness,” he said afterward, “because I just didn’t expect it to happen.”
