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The end of Bowden Francis' no-hit bid in NYC during 'Linsanity'
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    The end of Bowden Francis’ no-hit bid in NYC during ‘Linsanity’

    While Toronto Blue Jays fans lamented another near-miss for Bowden Francis on Wednesday, the dramatic ending to his no-hit bid led to a familiar slogan for New Yorkers.

    When Mets star Francisco Lindor cleared the right-field wall to open the top of the ninth, tying the game at 1-1 with his team’s first hit off Francis, SNY play-by-play man Gary Cohen delivered a memorable call.

    “That’s driven to deep right field. And a home run ends this no-hit bid. Linsanity!” Cohen said. “Francisco Lindor ties the game with a ninth-inning home run. As big a hit as the Mets have had all season. Francisco Lindor breaks up the no-hit bid and the shutout and he ties the game with his 31st home run of the year.”

    Linsanity, of course, first became a thing in New York when the then-unheralded Jeremy Lin led the Knicks on a improbable win streak during the 2011-12 season.

    There’s also a Toronto connection with Lin, who went on to play for the Raptors in 2018-19 and captured a championship ring with the Kawhi Leonard-led team.

    Lindor’s home run propelled the Mets to a six-run ninth and they went on to beat the Blue Jays 6-2 for a much-needed win. The Mets and Atlanta are in a heated battle for the final NL wild-card spot.

    “MVP, that is basically what I can say right now,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of Lindor. “On a night we are about to get no-hit and for him to put together that at-bat … special player, special person and MVP.”

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    ‘Tomorrow I’ll be perfect’: Baseball world reacts after Bowden Francis loses no-hit bid

    On February 14, 2012, Bowden Francis, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, was on the verge of making history during a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Francis had not allowed a single hit through eight innings, putting him in position to throw a no-hitter, a rare and prestigious accomplishment in baseball.

    The excitement in the stadium was palpable as fans held their breath with each pitch, hoping to witness a piece of baseball history. But as fate would have it, the magic moment was not meant to be for Francis that day.

    In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs and a full count on the batter, disaster struck. The Mets’ star player, Jeremy Lin, stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive that sailed over the outfield fence for a home run, breaking up Francis’ no-hit bid and ending the game with a final score of 1-0 in favor of the Mets.

    The crowd erupted in cheers and applause for Lin’s clutch performance, but there was also a sense of disappointment in the air as Francis walked off the field, knowing that he had come so close to achieving something truly special.

    The game would go down in history as one of the most memorable moments of the 2012 season, not only for Francis’ near no-hitter but also for Lin’s heroics at the plate. It was a bittersweet ending for Francis, but one that would be remembered by baseball fans for years to come.

    Despite the disappointment of falling short of a no-hitter, Francis’ performance that day was still impressive and showcased his skill and talent as a pitcher. And while he may not have made history that day, he certainly left a lasting impression on all who witnessed his remarkable feat.