As we begin the month of June, we do so remembering a very special moment in New York Mets history.
11 years ago, veteran left-hander and Mets ace Johan Santana took the mound against the then-defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and made team history in the process, tossing a no-hitter against the Birds.
Santana threw 134 pitches that night, with his final pitch being a 3-2 changeup to St. Louis native and postseason hero David Freese.
Freese swung and missed, and Santana had accomplished something the Mets hadn’t yet in their 51-year history.
On Twitter, SNY posted a video of the final out, recalling Santana’s epic performance.
"IT HAS HAPPENED!"
11 years ago today, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets history.pic.twitter.com/qqaOKyctCo
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 1, 2023
This was certainly an exciting night.
Santana had out-dueled Adam Wainwright after six innings.
However, he came close to losing his no-hit bit twice.
In the sixth inning, former Met Carlos Beltran hit a line drive off the third base line, but it was ruled foul, much to the dismay of the Cardinals.
In the seventh, famous Mets nemesis Yadier Molina hit a line drive out to left field that nearly hit the wall and bounced away for a hit.
But Queens native Mike Baxter put his entire body on the line and made the catch as he slammed into the wall.
Baxter ended up leaving the game, but his play had saved Santana’s no-hit bid.
Two innings later, Santana finished the job and sent Citi Field into a frenzy.
After the game, the left-hander got a pie in the face from his teammates during his postgame interview to celebrate the first no-hitter in Mets history.
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