Monday, March 28, 2022

Mets To Honor Santana On 10th Anniversary Of No-Hitter

 

Johan Santana talking to the author (and BrooklynFans.com) after his rehab start with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2012. 


The Mets announced on Monday morning that they will honor Johan Santana this season, the 10th anniversary of his no-hitter, still the only one in franchise history.

The pre-game ceremony commemorating this historic event will happen on Tuesday, May 31 before the Mets take on the Washington Nationals at 7:10 p.m.

Santana's date with history occurred on Friday, June 1, 2012, when he no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished the night with his signature changeup to strike out David Freese. 

"I still remember how I felt that night," Santana said in a statement. "I knew how much it meant to New York Mets fans. I was very proud to be a part of the first no-hitter and I can't wait to celebrate with the fans on May 31. It holds a special place in my heart."

It took 134 pitches for Santana to complete his achievement, the first in franchise history after 8,019 games.

Santana's battery partner that night, catcher Josh Thole, will also be on hand for the occasion, and the team also announced that they both will be on hand for Old Timers' Day on Saturday, August 27 before the Mets take on the Colorado Rockies at 7:10 p.m.

One of the most-remembered plays from the no-hitter was left fielder Mike Baxter's catch on a liner from Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina with one out in the seventh inning. Baxter, a Queens native, crashed violently into the fence, but still held on to the ball.

Santana touched on that moment in this comment on that night, "I was in a zone with Josh all night. I remember I was holding my breath before Baxter's catch. It was amazing. He really saved me."


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