Johan Santana No-Hitter Shouldn't Be That Shocking

Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in New York Mets history Friday night.

After 50 years of close calls and near misses, the team and its fans finally have that no-no moment that will forever be remembered.

Although nobody can ever truly say that they saw a no-hitter coming, the table was perfectly set for Santana's big moment. Yes, revisionist history is always easier to write, but it just seems as if we were slowly building towards this moment.

After all, we aren't talking about Philip Humber rising from relative obscurity to throwing a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox.

Here are five reasons that Santana's no-hitter has been a work in the making.

Mets' 50th Anniversary

It just seems like special events happen during special celebrations. If ever a time for the New York Mets to get their first no-hitter, why not at home during the 50th anniversary year of the franchise?

Last Outing

In Johan Santana's last start on May 26 at Citi Field against the San Diego Padres, he threw a complete-game shutout. It only took him 96 pitches to make short work of the Padres, only allowing four hits. He also struck out seven hitters and had no walks.

Talk about a prelude of things to come.

Increased Frequency

Let's face it, no-hitters aren't as rare as they once were.

Johan Santana threw the 275th no-hitter in MLB history. However, it also is the 12th no-hitter since 2010 and the third in this season alone.

Consistency

Johan Santana has been consistently good over his 12-year career. Among active qualifying pitchers, the only pitcher with a higher winning percentage than Santana's .655 (135-71) is Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay's .664 (192-97).

Halladay is the owner of two no-hitters on his resume, including a perfect game and his postseason no-hitter in 2010.

Complete Games

Complete games might be a great predictor of no-hitter probability for a pitcher, especially in the National League. Prior to Friday night, Johan Santana was tied for fourth among National League pitchers with eight complete games since 2008.

The other pitchers with eight complete game since 2008 are Adam Wainwright, Roy Oswalt, Tim Lincecum, Ubaldo Jimenez, Cole Hamels, Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay.

Halladay and Jimenez represent three of the four no-hitters thrown by National League pitchers since 2010 prior to Santana's. The fourth was thrown by Edwin Jackson, but that is an exception as it came against the Tampa Bay Rays in an interleague game with American League rules, so a designated hitter was used.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow his thoughts, rants and adventures on Facebook, Twitter @JWilburg or visit his website www.jamalwilburg.com