Atlanta Braves’ pitchers fell just short of throwing a no-hitter against the New York Mets on May 11, leaving their no-hitter drought at a staggering 4,877 games, including playoffs, since Kent Mercker’s no-hitter in 1994. The Braves had a combined effort from Max Fried, Joe Jimenez, and Raisel Iglesias almost capture the elusive feat but ultimately allowed a home run to J.D. Martinez in the ninth inning. Despite their sustained excellence in pitching, the Braves are unable to break their curse and secure a no-hitter.
The rarity of no-hitters in baseball is highlighted by the fact that there have been only 383 no-hitters thrown in 239,022 games since 1876. The odds of witnessing a no-hitter are significantly low at 0.002 percent per game, making it an elusive achievement for any team. While the Braves have been one of the best pitching teams over the last three decades, they have been unable to accomplish this feat, unlike teams like the Yankees and Dodgers who have produced multiple no-hitters since 1994.
Despite having an illustrious trio of Hall of Famers in Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, who combined for almost 20 percent of the team’s starts since 1994, the Braves have never thrown a no-hitter during their tenure. Even with pitchers like Chris Sale and Spencer Strider currently on their roster, the Braves continue to fall short of achieving a no-hitter. The team’s recent no-hit bids by pitchers like Fried, Mike Foltynewicz, and Sean Newcomb have all ended in heartbreak.
Braves manager Brian Snitker acknowledged the difficulty of throwing a no-hitter, emphasizing how many factors need to align perfectly for such an accomplishment. Fried, who recently carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning for the third time this season, seems to be a promising candidate to break the curse. However, the unpredictable nature of a no-hitter leaves the Braves unsure of when they will finally achieve this milestone, if ever.
The history of no-hitters in baseball is a mix of skill, luck, and randomness, as evidenced by the Braves’ ongoing drought despite their pitching prowess. The team’s pursuit of a no-hitter continues to captivate fans and players alike, with hopes that they will eventually break the curse and join the ranks of teams with multiple no-hitters. As Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II remarked, being a part of an almost no-hitter is a unique experience, and the team remains optimistic that they will be able to secure a no-hitter in the near future.
While the Braves’ no-hitter drought may be one of the longest in baseball history, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that come with achieving such a rare feat. As the team’s pitchers continue to come close to making history, the anticipation and excitement surrounding their quest for a no-hitter only grow stronger. Whether it will be Fried or another pitcher who breaks the curse remains to be seen, but the Braves’ determination and resilience in the face of adversity reflect their commitment to achieving greatness on the mound.
