It took 52 years, but there has finally been a no-hitter at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs threw a combined no-hitter, and it began with pitcher Shota Imanaga. But why the controversy? Well, the fact that the team pulled Imanga in the 7th inning rather than trying to let him finish his no-hitter.
The first @Cubs no-hitter at Wrigley Field in 52 years will live on in Cooperstown!
ā National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ā¾ (@baseballhall) September 5, 2024
A ball signed by Shota Imanaga, Porter Hodge and Nate Pearson will be donated to the Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/mhGOrVr40p
I am not the world's biggest fan of a combined-no-hitter. There is something about a pitcher battling through nine innings and going through blood, sweat and tears and getting a no-hitter. Combined-no hitters feel like a reach. And for Wrigley field to wait 52 years between no-hitters and to end up getting a combined version of the achievement, it just feels cheap.
Now, the Cubs probably just want to protect Shota and not let him throw over 100 pitches. But still, I feel like this is the worst version of a no-hitter I can see.