LTF pays tribute to the now former Orioles All-Star, who had both a Major and Minor League No-Hitter
*Cover Photo Credit: Ulysses Munoz, The Baltimore Banner
One of my favorite Orioles pitchers in recent memory, John Means, has officially departed Birdland. The 31-year-old southpaw and former Orioles ace recently agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He does so after leaving behind a legacy of hard work and grit through becoming a bright light during the dark days of rebuilding for the Orioles.
Means' biggest accomplishment as an Oriole was his no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 5, 2021. It was the Orioles' first no-hitter since 1993 when Bob Mlacki and three relievers combined to no-hit the Oakland Athletics.
However, did you know that Means already had a no-no on his resume before that?
Yep. He had a no-hitter while with the Delmarva Shorebirds in 2015.
Yet somehow, I still remember it. I only remember it because I had met Means at my first ever Shorebirds game just days after he accomplished the feat.
It occured on July 31, 2015, against the Charleston River Dogs. Because it was a doubleheader, each game went only seven innings.
By this point, Means had spent the entire season in Delmarva's starting rotation. He had a 3.74 ERA to this point with a 67 percent strike rate. Even amidst those solid numbers, opponents were still hitting .305 against him. An ERA above 3.00 and an opponent batting average above .300 is an unusual recipe for a pitcher.
That did not seem to phase Means, and the Dogs had no answers for offense against the southpaw that night.
He got the nod for Game 1 of the twin-killer, and he did his work. Over the course of 7 innings, he allowed just three base runners all night while striking out 6 batters. As he has historically been a fly ball pitcher, 13 of his 21 outs were via the fly ball while just two were via the groundout. Efficiency was a contributor, as he needed just 78 pitches to complete the no-hitter and the Shorebirds' thrilling 7-1 victory.
It was the team's first no-hitter since 1998 when Matt Achilles spun onw against the Hagerstown Suns.
Again, I went to my first ever Shorebirds game just days after he did this. As he was signing autographs before the game, you knew that I had to congragulate Means on his accomplishment. When I looked at my John Means baseball card that was now freshly inked with his signature, I made sure that I kept hold of it should he make it big one day.
Good thing that I did because he turned in a heck of an Orioles tenure. That card is stashed away in my collection.
Seven years an Oriole, seven years a bright light during some of the team's darkest days. A 2019 All-Star, a 3.68 career Oriole ERA, and over 400 innings. The slogan "he Means business" speaks true to who Means was as an Oriole and always is. He never cracked the Orioles' elite prospect rankings, nor was he entirely popular during his developmental years. While he was hidden in the shadows of Hunter Harvey and Ryan Mountcastle, he did not care. He took an opportunity in 2019 and ran away with it, becoming a rising star and a sign of hope for the fans and the team's future. He persevered through injuries and Tommy John surgery. When he has been knocked down, he has always fought back to get back up for his team.
I, like many Orioles fans, have a soft spot for guys like Means. While we acknowledge reality and the state of the Orioles' starting rotation, it still hurts to see Means go. While we wish him all the best in Cleveland, we acknowledge how he has inspired Orioles fans and how he has taught us the value of dedication, hard work, and "never give up." Of course too, he has also given this new generation of Orioles fans the thrill of experiencing a no-hitter, which is a special feeling that only comes around every so often.
There's a hole in our nest in Birdland right now. His success is a source of inspiration for Orioles fans all over Birdland.
Thank you, John Means.
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