14
2012
No One Can Have Just One (No-Hitter)
An article by 
Would you be caught smiling with the two men who cost you a perfect game and your scoreless streak? I guess R.A. Dickey is a more forgiving man than I am.
R.A. Dickey had the most amazing, most tremendous, most [insert your favorite superlative here] start of his career last night, coming within two David Wright muffs of pitching the first perfect game in Mets history. His performance came less than two weeks after Johan Santana tossed the first no-hitter in club annals and on the same night that Matt Cain pitched the first perfect game in San Francisco Giants history.
Before Wright’s error allowed Elliot Johnson to reach base safely in the ninth inning (which led to the only run scored off Dickey in the game, ending his franchise-record 32⅔ inning scoreless streak), the only base runner allowed by the Mets’ knuckler was a first-inning infield hit off the bat of B.J. Upton. Upton hit a slow roller near the third base line that Wright tried to field with his bare hand. The ball tickled Wright’s fingers before dropping to the artificial turf, allowing Upton to reach base on what was credited as a base hit. It became the only hit allowed by Dickey in the game and gave him credit for pitching the 36th one-hitter in franchise history.
But stop the presses! There’s a new story to report!
Apparently, Terry Collins thinks that there’s a chance an appeal could reverse the call on Upton’s infield single to an error by Wright, allowing Dickey to be credited with the team’s second no-hitter of the month. Collins goes on to say,
“We said in the ninth inning that we’ve got to appeal that play. We’re probably not going to win it, but … what the heck? What do you got to lose except to have somebody say no? You’ve just got to him his due. He deserves it.”
It’s great that Collins is sticking up for his pitcher. But in all honesty, the Mets should have just settled for a one-hitter without trying to get an after-the-fact no-hitter for Dickey. Besides, earlier this month, when Santana pitched his no-hitter, a call by third base umpire Adrian Johnson took a base hit away from Carlos Beltran. So this pretty much evens it out. Santana got a no-hitter in a game that should have been a one-hitter and Dickey gets a one-hitter in a game that could have been a no-hitter.
Notice how I said that Santana “should” have had a one-hitter while I said Dickey “could” have had a no-hitter. It was an umpire’s error that allowed Santana to keep his no-hitter intact. But it was David Wright’s non-error in the first inning that rightfully gave the Rays their first and only hit of the night. And it should remain an error after the appeal is reviewed.
I understand Terry Collins wanting to reward his pitcher for a tremendous pitching performance, a performance that might have been more dominant (career-high 12 Ks, no walks) than Santana’s, as Johan allowed five Cardinals to reach base via the base on balls. But trying to get him a no-hitter after the fact is taking it a little too far. It’s not going to happen and it should never have come to this.
Collins should see it for what it is and what will remain in the record books. Dickey pitched a one-hitter, retired 22 batters in a row from the first to the ninth innings, struck out a career-high 12 batters and set the Mets’ all-time record for consecutive scoreless innings, supplanting Jerry Koosman in the team’s record books by one inning. It was a fantastic pitching performance by R.A. Dickey. It was not a no-hitter.
The Mets already got a no-hitter that shouldn’t have been. They shouldn’t get greedy and try for a second. I guess it’s true that no one can have just one.
About the Author: Ed Leyro
Ed Leyro was hatched in the Bronx, but spent most of his youth in Queens at Shea Stadium. Apparently, all that time spent at Mets games paid off as Ed met his wife (The Coop) for the first time at Citi Field during its inaugural season. Guess the 2009 season was good for something after all. In addition to his work at Mets Merized Online, Ed also owns, operates and is head janitor at Studious Metsimus, where he shares blogging duties with Joey Beartran. For those not in the know, Joey is a teddy bear dressed in a Mets hoodie. Clearly, Studious Metsimus is not your typical Mets blog.
21 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
Recent Comments
- philipag: on Mets GM Tells Ike Davis He Has Until End Of Month To Turn Slump Around: Yes - Keith had ego - but...
- rob: on Mets Appealing Harvey Earned Run, Want Tejada Charged With Error: We've gone from "The Time is Now"...
- Jimmy Pernil: on Mets GM Tells Ike Davis He Has Until End Of Month To Turn Slump Around: TEAM INS could give Ike 1500 at...
- Connor O'Brien: on Series Preview: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs: Fine, I'll do it.
- jdon: on Mets Appealing Harvey Earned Run, Want Tejada Charged With Error: winning the game was what counted
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5358 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1270 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
I see nothing wrong with trying the appeal. More than likely it’s not over turned but kudos to the Mets for trying to get Dickey the no-no after that great performance last night.
i agree , no problem to just ask for a review . LGM
Maybe its just me but I don’t really care either way. A no hitter after the fact really doesn’t bring anybody back to the moment…
I love how people on this site cannot help but to bring their HATRED for the best player on their “FAVORITE” team to the table in this discussion. It’s not about a potential error, its about who made the error that bothers them.
The Mets whether we as fans like it or not, benefited from a blown call just 2 weeks ago to give the Mets a no hitter in a moment we ALL will never forget.
I’ll take that moment, take this one as a little baseball karma and move on.
Plus just as a side note… the Mets asking for a review is a tad hypocritical. I get why they wanna do it for RA but what does giving him a no hitter a day later do for RA?
The moment is gone.
If the Cardinals asked for a review of Beltran’s foul ball and they took away Johan’s no hitter, we’d all be screaming about how you can’t alter the decision after the fact.
Didn’t Ray Knight have an error which cost Doc a no hitter but it was ruled a hit?
I can’t disagree with any of your points here.
I think it’s more the TC having his player’s back, which he’s done so well since he’s been here.
As I said, I don’t expect anything to change on this but the effort on the Mets part for RA is nice to see.
srt: Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with Terry Collins doing this. If he feels it is what he needs to do in order to have RA’s back, so be it.
Lets be honest again, we benefited from a blown call 2 weeks ago. So as a FAN I have a problem with other FANS complaining about an error/hit call PLUS taking this opportunity to show how much they truly hate the team’s best player.
Here is a question I’d pose to fans who want this changed.
If MLB said they will change it but they also will change Johan’s no hitter, would you accept it?
Just move on, the game happened… RA has the ability to do this again. Worry about the game on June 14th.
I think we have the same mindset here on this.
I don’t expect that play to be changed and don’t really care if it’s not. In fact, I’d probably prefer it not be changed. I just have no problem with the Mets asking on RA’s behalf.
jessep — There’s no need for you to ask such intelligent questions. Maybe though, Johan and RA could circumvent the issue. All Johan has to do is give RA his no hitter ball in exchange for RA’s one hitter ball. Life is simple. Anybody want to bet what Johan would do?
I’m with ya. Moment is gone and would there be a real big moment seeing a run scored? It was a amazing game to watch and will all predicting doom and gloom for the season (I only thought 68 wins) this season has been a joy. Just walk away and enjoy the win.
Sorry if Gallaraga’s Perfect Game wasn’t over turned by an obvious blown call, this won’t be.
Plus what would they do? Put Dickey on the mound in Tampa so the team can celebrate lol….
As Ferris Bueller said “It’s over, Go Home.”
Good point on last years blown call. That was a travesty MLB knew it but wanted to be the stubborn child. Luckily there was a great moment the next day between the ump and the pitcher.
might be a travesty, but there is no rule that allows them to go back and change ump rulings after the game is over. Andit makes sense. Say they decide Beltran got a hit. What do they do, bring everyone back, put him on 2nd, and replay the rest of the game?
Not hypocritical – two different scenarios. The issue in the No-han game was a call made by an *umpire* while the issue in last night’s game was a call made the *scorer*. Umpire calls pretty much never get overturned, while scorer calls get overturned somewhat frequently. Also, even if they were exactly the same play, so what? Do you think the Mets should have challenged the call in Johan’s no-no to give the other team a double? That’s just silly.
All that said, I see absolutely no way the “hit” is overturned. Would be too big of a deal, easier for MLB to just leave it as-is.
you are one nice guy jessep , most important thing is, its a win , LGM
Exactly. The Mets won. We all know Dickey dominated and has been having a great season. If they give him the no hitter on appeal, it will just feel cheap.
Just downloading the Cain game, unreal , congrats to him
There is something seriously wrong with the appeal and it has a lot to do with our entitlement society and this appeal sucks. Why didn’t the Cardinals (if they could) appeal Beltran’s supposedly missed call, why do professional golfers when they discover a mistake on their scorecard turn themselves in and forfeit a major tournament, why does a persona walk away from a slot machine and the next person pulls the lever and wins 10 grand. Why because it’s called life and rules. You play by the rules and if you cry, get the hell off the field. You have official scorers and umpires for a reason. Oh I know let’s just have the fans call the plays by holding up cards. I guess I hate whiners. I guess it goes back to my ‘Nam days when whiners could get you killed and your buddies too. Get over it. The game is official and no you are not entitled to A DO OVER. PERIOD.
Yeah, I think the appeal is bogus. Dickey pitched a phenomenal game that will be long remembered. Lets leave it at that.
Keep in mind that this is not the same as last year (gallarahga) or Johan. Those were umpire judgement calls, and NOT reviewable. Plus, you can’t change them retroactively, because how do you go back and change what happened after that? The Detroit game was the last play, but if you give beltran a hit now, doesn’t he have to go to 2nd base?
In Dickey’s case, it was a scorer’s decision. No impact at all to the game, subsequent plays, the score, etc. So yes, this can, and often is, looked at afterwards and changes are made.
To that point, I saw in the paper this AM that MLB made a change to the scoring in the Phils game from a few days back. They originally gave a guy a hit on a ball to 2B, but afterwards changed it to an error,so Worley’s ERA went down (along with some guys BA).
so yes, they do often change scoring decisions after the fact. may not happen here, but it is not uncommon, and it is nothing like trying to change an umps decision that impacts game flow after the fact. And if the “error” had been on a bang bang play at first, they would not have asked for a review.
Another point with the controversial appeal: I’m about 99% certain that Terry and the Mets did so KNOWING that it will not be overturned. They just did it as a gesture to Dickey. No harm, no foul. Some of you truly turn molehills into mountains in the neverending quest to desecrate the Mets’ image.
Or you could just call it a “cheap trick.”