Johan Santana Throws 1st No-Hitter in Mets History

If there was a New York Mets pitcher in 2012 that was going to deliver the franchise's first-ever no-hitter, it was going to be Johan Santana.

He did so on Friday night with an amazing performance against the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals. Interestingly enough, it was 2011 World Series hero David Freese who made the final out.

"

NO-HAN! Johan Santana throws first no-hitter in @Mets history, defeating Cardinals, 8-0: atmlb.com/L63JF7

— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2012"

The Mets have enjoyed a lot of success as a franchise, including two World Series titles, but never had they gotten a no-hitter in the team's 51 years of existence.

Just how many games did the Mets go without a no-hitter? ESPN has the answer for us:

"

Johan Santana with the 3rd no-hitter of the season, the 1st in #Mets history. It comes in their 8,020th game.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2012"

Santana showed great physical strength, throwing a career-high 134 pitches after injuries had put a damper on his career in recent seasons.

Fans at Citi Field were prepared for the worst when Santana walked out of the dugout to take the mound in the top of ninth inning.

Mets fans had seen this movie before, and the previous three times they watched it, there wasn't a happy ending:

"

#ELIAS #Mets have previously taken 3 no-hit bids into 9th inning. All were by Tom Seaver. This is the first non-Seaver one.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 1, 2012"

The scene at Citi Field on Friday evening was absolutely extraordinary, and finally, people can no longer make fun of Mets fans for their team never having thrown a no-hitter.

Mets fans everywhere will always remember Santana's historical night in Queens.

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