Santana needs new equipment after Hall call
Johan Santana smiles in the dugout as he watches a video shown before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals. (June 2, 2012) Credit: AP
One day after the St. Louis Cardinals searched in vain for answers as Johan Santana fired the first no-hitter in Mets history, the ace was left to do some searching of his own.
With so much being set aside for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and his loved ones, he needs new equipment.
"My whole outfit, the whole uniform, has been authenticated. Even my glove. Everything," Santana said Saturday of the actions taken after his historic 8-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. "So right now, I have to get new gear."
Players usually are loath to part with well-worn equipment that has grown to feel so comfortable. For this cause, though, the affable lefthander will be happy to start anew. And the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown eagerly awaits delivery of whatever he and the Mets are willing to provide.
"It is one of those events everybody is talking about," said Barry Horn, senior director for communications and education at the Hall of Fame. "In the 50th anniversary of the team, certainly interest is heightened."
Horn said the Hall is working with Mets vice president of media relations Jay Horwitz and expects to determine within the next couple of days what it will be able to display.
"We have game-used baseballs from every no-hitter since 1940, so we requested that," Horn said.
He noted that no-hitters typically are commemorated by a baseball accompanied by a jersey, cap, spikes or glove.
"We don't need to have everything," Horn said. "But we would certainly welcome one of them to document the moment."
