Back on Banner Day, I agreed with this sentiment. After last night, I don’t think there’s a Mets fan anywhere who isn’t reveling over Johan Santana’s masterpiece.
It took 8,020 games and more than 50 years, but a New York Mets pitcher finally threw a no-hitter last night.
Of course, I was in Newark watching the Bears lose to the St. Paul Saints and I didn’t get to see most of it.
I got home just in time to see the ninth inning. At first I was confused about why Johan Santana was still pitching in the ninth inning of an 8-0 game. Then SNY showed a shot of the scoreboard.
The broadcast crew was talking about Santana’s pitch count, and I hope that his arm feels ok when his next turn comes up in the rotation. But even if the worst happens, I’m glad that Terry Collins gave Santana the chance to go for his no hitter.
Matt Holliday hit a line drive to Andres Torres to start the ninth inning, and there was one out.
This might really be happening, I thought.
Allen Craig hit a fly ball to Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and for a second I thought it might drop in. Two outs.
David Freese came up, and Santana fell behind 3-0. Again, I started to worry that this was going to be another legendary “almost.” But the next pitch was a strike, and Freese fouled off the one after that to get the count to 3-2.
Finally, Santana threw a perfect changeup and Freese swung and missed.
Mets fans finally have our no-hitter and our first great moment at Citi Field, and Santana has cemented his status as a Mets legend.
And what I loved – even more than Santana’s brilliance on the mound – were his post game comments. He kept saying that this was for us, the fans, and for his teammates who helped make the no-hitter possible.
According to SNY’s Facebook page, they’ll be re-airing last night’s game at 12 p.m. I know how I’ll be spending my afternoon.
It was awesome! I was screaming like a little girl. They can call up Batista and give him an extra day of rest, but in the end, an extra 20 pitches doesn’t matter. Thanks Johan!
A great moment in baseball history. I think Collins would have needed an armed escort out of the stadium if he would have taken Santana out of the game.
Years ago this would have been a non issue. Do you think the manager would have DARED to remove Ryan or Koufax form 1 of their no hitters??????
It probably still would have been a consideration for a pitcher coming back from major surgery.
A great moment in baseball history. I think Collins would have needed an armed escort out of the stadium if he would have taken Santana out of the game.
Years ago this would have been a non issue. Do you think the manager would have DARED to remove Ryan or Koufax from 1 of their no hitters??????
How was attendance in Newark? I would have went but I didn’t leave work until 6 PM
The official count was 1208, but they were scattered enough that it seemed like a lot less. It really didn’t turn out to be an especially nice night, weather-wise.
How was the attendance in Newark?
I thought I’d never live to see the day! I didn’t get to see the game, of course, here in NC. But I’m hopeful that MLB will see fit to put this one out on DVD (or at least iTunes). Still, having followed the Mets pretty much from the beginning, I couldn’t be happier. And I’m glad it was Johan and not just some mediocre arm passing through.
Sorry, but that no-hitter is pretty tainted. That was a really awful blown call on Beltran’s double. Only the Mets would have their first no-hitter be a one-hitter.
Are you ready to hand back the World Series trophy that Jeffrey Maier helped the Yankees win?
Maier hardly won the World Series for the Yankees. So Jeter gets a double instead of a HR, the Yankees probably win that game anyway. No-hitter ends right there if Johnson gets the call right.
That said, I’ve got to admit that the Mets will probably finish with a better record than the Yankees for the first time in almost 20 years.
So which do you think is more fair…a no-hitter that maybe coulda possibly shoulda been a one-hitter (Santana)? Or a one-hitter that absolutely positively should have been a no-hitter (Galaraga)? I didn’t see the game or the play–I’m betting it’s less certain than you suggest–but if an umpire is going to blow a call, I’d rather it fall this way than that.
I just finished watching SNY’s replay of the game, and Adrian Johnson will always deserve a special place in Mets history. But for something like a no-hitter or perfect game, I’d definitely prefer to have an ump make a bad call that keeps it going than one that ends it.
Technically It wasn’t a double or even a single for that fact. Beltran never touched first base. Can’t credit a hit to someone who never touched first. Who knows Beltran could’ve ran down the first base line blow out his knee again and gets thrown out at first. It could’ve happen, but we’ll never know bc he never ran down the line or touched first base.
“First great moment at CitiField”…..
I agree, hands down. I think most Met fans will agree that Johan’s dandy will knock Gary Sheffield’s 500th HR down a few notches on the list, as far as ‘great moments at CitiField’.
Lol – unless someone reminds me, I don’t even think of Gary Sheffield as a one-time Met
I was reminded of Sheffield’s feat a while back, when, trolling through the mlb dot com clearance shop, there they were: t-shirts of Sheffield’s feat, drastically reduced.
Just last month USA Today had list of teams without a no hitter and the New York Mets were one of the teams. NOT ANYMORE.
Hard to believe with all the great pitchers over the year they never had a no hitter. Great job Johan Santana!!