Philip Humber wouldn't be on the short list for people throwing a perfect game. But there's one line on his resume that would point toward at least a no-hitter:
He's an ex-New York Met.
In the Mets' history, which now dates back 50-plus years, they've still never had a pitcher threw a no-hitter. Lots of former Mets have, though. Nolan Ryan threw seven of them after leaving New York. Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, Mike Scott, David Cone, Hideo Nomo and now Humber have thrown no-hitters. Cone and Humber have thrown perfect games.
The Mets drafted Humber No. 3 overall in 2004, one spot lower than a guy who went to the Tigers named Justin Verlander and nine spots ahead of a pitcher who went to the Angels named Jered Weaver.
By comparison to those two aces, Humber is somewhat of a bust. But despite Tommy John surgery in 2005, Humber had made a few appearances and was on the precipice of being a full-time big-leaguer by 2008 when was traded to the Minnesota Twins as part of the deal for Johan Santana. So it's not like the Mets received nothing in return.
Before Saturday, few had noticed what had happened to Humber. He had bounced around since then, waived by the Twins after two seasons, then waived by the Kansas City Royals, finding his way to the Chicago White Sox in 2011. He was 9-9 last season, and had never even thrown a complete game until Saturday in Seattle.
Humber's perfect game is the 21st in MLB history and the fourth since July 2009. (Get ready to see more, writes SI.com's Tom Verducci.) It's the first since Roy Halladay in May 2010.
"I don't even know what to say. I don't know what Philip Humber is doing in this list. I have no idea what my name is doing there, but I'm thankful it is there," Humber said after the game.
Want to figure out who's next? Do your due diligence on former New York Mets.
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