Insane statistic puts an exclamation point on Michael Lorenzen's no-hitter
Baseball is a game of stats and facts, from the run-of-the-mill everyday numbers to the weird and obscure factoids that pop up whenever something incredible happens on the diamond.
After Michael Lorenzen tossed the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history, in his first home start for the Phillies no less, he became part of a wild, almost unbelievable fact. While a no-hitter in and of itself is a phenomenal feat — there have been 322 in MLB history — the exclusive club Lorenzen joined with his 124-pitch performance is even more incredible.
Lorenzen is the fourth Fullerton Union High School pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the big leagues. Okay, that's neat but not exactly a mind-warping fact. What is amazing is that there have only ever been four pitchers from Fullerton Union to pitch in the majors, and all four have now thrown a no-hitter, per High Heat Stats (@HighHeatStats).
Wow, what are the odds of all four pitchers from one high school making the major leagues and throwing a no-hitter?
This exclusive Fullerton Union no-hit club dates back over 100 years to the founder, Hall-of-Famer Walter Johnson, who threw his no-hitter in 1920. Lorenzen also joins Steve Busby, who threw two no-hitters (1973 and 1974) and Mike Warren, who tossed a no-hitter in 1983 for the Oakland A's.
Michael Lorenzen starting his own club
Now that the 31-year-old Lorenzen has etched his place in the MLB and the Fullerton Union record books, he also gets the distinct honor of starting his own club. A 2013 first-round draft pick out of Cal State Fullerton, Lorenzen becomes the first and only Titan to throw an MLB no-hitter.
As if that wasn't enough, Lorenzen will also have the honor of donating the first pair of Vans cleats to the Hall of Fame. Following the post-game celebrations, he was shown in the clubhouse with the white spikes that carried him to his place in MLB history.
I've got to get a new pair for sure. I mean, those are my only pair. We need to make another pair as soon as possible. Maybe send those to the Hall of Fame. Those will be the first pair of Vans in the Hall of Fame.