The longest-running streak for an MLB franchise to go without a solo no-hitter belonged to the Orioles until John Means did his thing yesterday. In the nearly 52 years since Jim Palmer twirled his complete game no-no, there were 124 other CG no-hitters. In the nearly 30 years since the O’s 1991 combined no-hitter, there had been 80 no-hitters across MLB. It seemed like it would never happen to us. And then, suddenly, it did.
Having tuned in to the sixth inning or later or a number of completed no-hitters and near-no-hitters, one thing that I always understood about no-hitters is that they don’t happen without at least one instance of “the play” - a moment where a fielder almost seems to be fueled by the magic in the stadium to power a superhuman effort and make a play where he would not have usually made the play.