After more than a half century and 8,020 games, Johan Santana pitched the 1st no-hitter in N.Y Mets’ history.

Helped by an umpire’s missed call and an incredible catch by a left fielder that grew up in Queens as a Mets fan, Santana’s start is also the 1st no-hitter of his career. Betting lines

In the 8-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Santana, who missed last season due to shoulder surgery, walked 5 and struck out eight, while testing the boundaries of his comeback.

Mets manager Terry Collins said before the game that he wanted to limit Santana to as much as 110-115 pitches. Santana finished with a career-high 134.

Afterwards, an emotional Collins expressed his concern about going after history instead of preserving Santana’s long term health.

“I just couldn’t take him out,” Collins declared.

In the 9th inning with 27,609 fans all standing, Santana’s final pitch, a 3-2 change-up, ended in David Freese swinging and missing. Santana’s colleagues all stormed the mound to celebrate.

Santana stated that he never has thrown a no-hitter at any level.

The San Diego Padres, established in 1969, are now the only team in the majors without a no-hitter. The New York Mets previously had 35 one-hitters.

During his postgame meeting, an emotional Collins lamented his call to keep Santana in the game due to fear of damaging the shoulder.

“I’m very excited for him, but in 5 days, if his arm is disturbing him, I am not going to feel very good,” Collins said.

In the dugout, during the Mets’ 3-run 7th inning, Collins told Santana he was his “hero” and then he handed the call of if he needed to stay in or not to Santana.

“I just expounded, ‘Look, I tell you men every day you have a say in what goes on here, ‘” Collins asserted.” ‘You have a voice and your voice will be heard. ‘”

Santana was not going to remove himself. In reality, the no-hitter doubtless should have been over before the 7th.

Friday night added to an incredible comeback from shoulder surgery for Santana, who is now pitching as well as when he was perennially a Cy Young Award contender.

With 2 outs in the 8th, the fans chanted “Johan! Johan! Johan! “Santana walked Rafael Furcal on his 118th pitch, and Collins came out to talk with Santana.

During the bottom of the 8th, Santana sat away from his squad at the end of the dugout, waiting for his chance at history. He then made it happen for an organization that has been trying since 1962.

After the last out, Santana did interviews with the Mets’ Television and radio station before he walked into the clubhouse. Dickey stated that it was like they were waiting for the king. Dickey and his squad had champagne waiting for Santana.

“We did this together,” Santana declared. “It is not just about me. We had a great, fantastic game tonight. Everybody took part. We probably did the little things how we were intended to do it. And it worked out great. I thanked them as we as a team made history tonight.”