Why Johan Santana's No-Hitter Is Proof 2012 Will Be a Magical Season in Queens

This was supposed to be a miserable season for the New York Mets. 

The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves were already strong contenders. The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins made splashy offseason additions with an eye on challenging for a playoff spot.

And then there were the Mets. Ownership was in danger of going bankrupt. Outfield fences were moved in at Citi Field in hopes of creating a more fair (read: exciting) form of baseball to watch. And there were no significant changes made to a roster stocked with young hopefuls and a handful of veterans whose best years appeared to be in the past.

But there was one kernel of promise with this team, one little flicker of hope: What if Johan Santana could come back from shoulder surgery? What if he could be anywhere near the player he used to be, the ace who was the best pitcher in baseball from 2004 to 2006?

Mets fans had a glimpse of how great Santana could be in 2008, his first season with the team. He compiled a 16-7 record and led the majors with a 2.35 ERA, and his 234.1 innings were the most in the National League.

However, as good as that season was, it wasn't vintage Johan Santana. He racked up 206 strikeouts, but that was far less than the 265 he punched out at his best. He also allowed 206 hits and 63 walks, the most of his career.

Would the Mets and their fans ever see Santana at his best?

Would he ever be the pitcher for them that he was in his prime? Though the prospects the Mets traded never developed into stars, would Santana ever justify the deal that was put together to get him? Most importantly, would he be the ace that led the Mets back into the playoffs and championship contention?

It didn't look like it was going to happen. Santana's next two seasons were cut short by injury, the second of which ended with him undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. Was Santana ever going to be the same pitcher after that kind of procedure?

As Santana had to shut down his rehab and start over again last year, a return didn't appear likely. He ended up missing the entire 2011 season, carrying questions about his health and ability to recover into this year.

But the Mets treated him carefully through spring training, and Santana made sure not to push himself too hard. When he began this season by allowing just one run over his first two starts, that flicker of hope came back.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Mets have kept winning games, emerging as an early-season surprise that's stayed near the top of the NL East standings.

David Wright has had a resurgent season, hitting like an MVP candidate. Ruben Tejada replaced Jose Reyes at shortstop capably. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who didn't make the big league roster out of spring training, has been one of the NL's top rookies. Lucas Duda continues to develop into a power threat.

Other than Wright, those aren't flashy names. But the Mets have the look of a team coming together—and they can get even better.

Once Jason Bay returns from a rib injury, the lineup could be stronger than ever, perhaps by moving Duda to first base to replace the disappointing Ike Davis. Elvin Ramirez was just called up from the minors to bolster a bullpen that's been inconsistent, to put it kindly. More pitching help could be on the way, with Chris Young set to return and top prospects Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler developing quickly.

On Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Mets showed what kind of season they might have when all the pieces work together. Nieuwenhuis got two hits. Duda hit a three-run homer. Daniel Murphy added a triple and drove in three runs.

But Santana was the key. If there were any questions as to whether he was really back, the Mets and their fans saw flashes of the pitcher that could be their ace again. Santana's changeup made Cardinals hitters look silly. Remember, this Cards lineup was a juggernaut to begin the season; they had scored the most runs in the NL and still have a league-best plus-57 run differential.

The Mets' no-hitter drought is brought up every time one of their pitchers gets close to one. The franchise is celebrating its 50th anniversary and had never had a pitcher throw a no-hitter.

In the face of that history, Santana didn't flinch. He had some close calls. Carlos Beltran hit a line drive down the third-base line that should've been called a fair ball. Yadier Molina drove a ball deep to left field, but Mike Baxter reeled it in, running into the wall while making the catch. 

Santana was also battling himself. Could he stay in the game with a pitch count that was sure to exceed 120 as he worked past the sixth inning? Should manager Terry Collins have taken him out, in the interest of protecting Santana's fragile left shoulder? 

Through all of that, it never seemed like Santana would be denied. He knew the history that was in his grasp, and he did not let it go. 

Everything that's worked for the Mets this season came into play Friday night. Santana threw the first no-hitter in team history. The win put the Mets just one game out of first place in the NL East. It was the most special moment in a season that's given the team and its fans plenty of memorable surprises. Who's to say the magic can't continue?

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