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New York Mets to commemorate ending of Johan Santana’s career

By David Hill

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: A general view of the scoreboard is seen after starting pitcher Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on June 1, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. It was the first no-hitter in Mets history.The Mets defeated the Cardinals 8-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: A general view of the scoreboard is seen after starting pitcher Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on June 1, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. It was the first no-hitter in Mets history.The Mets defeated the Cardinals 8-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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June 1, 2012 was a magical moment for the New York Mets. Johan Santana fired a no-hitter, the first in franchise history. After several near misses, and watching pitchers that had been traded away get their no-hitters, history was made. To make the moment even more special, Santana had missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury. The no-hitter was the official sign that he was back and ready to be a force.

Instead, that no-hitter was Santana’s last hurrah. He threw 134 pitches in that gem, a hefty amount for anyone, especially someone who was coming back from shoulder surgery. Santana had claimed he was fine, but that proved not to be the case. He posted an 8.27 ERA and a 1.735 WHiP in his 49 innings afterwards before being shut down.

New York Mets to commemorate tenth anniversary of no-hitter

Nonetheless, that was still a historic moment in Mets’ history. After 50 years of near misses and heartbreak, they finally got that elusive no-hitter. The tenth anniversary of that accomplishment is going to be celebrated on May 31, as Santana will throw out the first pitch to Josh Thole, his catcher on that night.

It is just unfortunate that Santana was unable to perform after that night. His shoulder could not hold up to the strain of those 134 pitches as he spent time on the Injured List later that year. His 2013 campaign was scuttled as he had retorn the capsule in his shoulder requiring season ending surgery.

But Santana was determined to come back. He signed a minor league contract with the Orioles, and was on the verge of returning to the majors, when he tore his Achillies attempting to field a ground ball. Santana then signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays for 2015, but that return was aborted before it began due to a toe infection as he never actually pitched a game for the organization.

Even with the aftermath, Santana will always have that historic moment with the Mets. It is certainly fair to wonder what could have been if he had not thrown so many pitches, but he may not have made history either. As the Mets celebrate that moment, it is fair to wonder what could have been as well.

Next. Mets still eyeing bullpen help. dark

The New York Mets are set to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Johan Santana’s no-hitter. They are also commemorating the end of his career.

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