On June 1, 2012, Venezuelan pitcher Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in 51 years of New York Mets history, a milestone the franchise had chased since its inception in 1962. It was a record that defined an era and etched Santana’s name into Mets lore forever.
A Half-Century Without a No-Hitter
The New York Mets had won two World Series titles (1969 and 1986) and boasted legendary pitchers like Tom Seaver, but none had ever thrown a complete game without allowing a hit. While other franchises had accumulated multiple no-hitters over decades, the Mets carried this absence like an open wound. It was a record they desperately wanted to break.
Johan Santana: The Venezuelan Who Ended the Drought
Johan Santana arrived in Queens in 2008 after a stellar career with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, where he won two Cy Young Awards. The left-hander from Tovar, Venezuela, was renowned for his command and devastating changeup. At 33 years old, in his fourth season with New York, Santana faced the Atlanta Braves in a game that would become unforgettable.
The Night of June 1, 2012
Santana threw 134 pitches over nine innings against the Braves, allowing no hits and no runs. The Mets won 8-0. Every out was documented, every pitch counted. In the ninth inning, with two outs, the Venezuelan closer ended the longest chapter in franchise history: the wait for a no-hitter. The crowd at Citi Field erupted when the final batter was retired. Mets fans who had waited 50 years finally had their story.
Santana’s Legacy in Flushing
Although Santana would pitch two more seasons for the Mets, that June 1 game became his monument in New York. His ERA that season was 2.53, but it was this no-hitter that immortalized him. Santana joined an elite group of pitchers who have accomplished this feat in Major League Baseball history, and his name remains the only one associated with a Mets no-hitter.
| Date | Pitcher | Opponent | Score | Pitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2012 | Johan Santana | Atlanta Braves | 8-0 | 134 |
| 1962–2011 | None | — | — | — |
| Since 2012 | Only no-hitter in franchise history | — | — | — |
FAQ
Is this the only no-hitter in Mets history?
Yes. Since 1962, Johan Santana’s no-hitter remains the only one in franchise history, making it a unique and nearly irreplaceable historical record.
Where was the no-hitter thrown?
At Citi Field, the Mets’ home stadium in Queens, which has a capacity of 41,922.
What was Santana’s role in his career?
Johan Santana was an elite starting pitcher who won two Cy Young Awards and was a multiple-time All-Star before joining the Mets.
