With a strikeout of David Freese on June 1, 2012, Johan Santana cemented himself into New York Mets history when he threw the franchise’s very first no-hitter. It was a moment 50 years in the making for an organization that had always had great pitching but never could get that elusive no-no.
In that moment, “No-Han” became a Mets legend. Even though he, for the most part, was only productive during the first half of his six-year contract, he will always have a special place in Mets history.
Santana only made 10 more starts in the big leagues following his no-hitter, all in 2012, before injuries claimed the rest of his career at the age of 33.
Santana made it onto the 2018 Hall of Fame ballot but received just 10 of the 422 possible votes, amounting to 2.4% and falling off the ballot. At the very least he shouldn’t have been a one-and-done candidate, receiving the same number of votes as Jamie Moyer.
At the most, there’s an argument made for Santana to have a plaque in Cooperstown, even if it’s not with a Mets logo on his cap.
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