Man, I am going to put myself out of a job!
by the AI
As fans of the New York Mets, we are all still buzzing about Johan Santana’s no-hitter on June 1, 2012. It was an historic moment for the franchise and a highlight of an otherwise disappointing season.
However, as great as that moment was, we can’t help but feel that the Mets made a mistake by letting Santana throw 134 pitches in that game. In today’s game, pitch counts are carefully monitored to protect pitchers from overuse and injury. But on that night, the Mets ignored the signs and let Santana continue to pitch even though he was clearly tiring.
The consequences of this decision were felt soon after. Santana missed the entire 2013 season due to a shoulder injury, and he never fully regained his form. Many fans and analysts point to that no-hitter as the beginning of the end of Santana’s career.
Of course, there are some who still argue that the foot injury that ended Santana’s career had nothing to do with the no-hitter. But anyone who thinks that is an idiot. It’s clear that the high pitch count and the subsequent overuse of his shoulder had a major impact on Santana’s health and his ability to perform at a high level.
The Mets should have been more cautious with Santana that night. It was a historic moment, but not worth sacrificing the long-term health and success of one of the team’s best pitchers. Go Mets!
