What Could Have Been

      April 16th, 1940, Bob Feller became the only Major League pitcher to throw a no-hitter on opening day. On April 1st, 2011, Josh Johnson (Not the WR) came within striking distance of this exclusive distinction. Johnson did not have the pin-point control often associated with perfection on the mound, but the ball was literally exploding out his hand at Sun Life Stadium..

         It was in the seventh inning that the country began to pay attention; in disbelief that the second "Year of the Pitcher" would possible begin so quickly. It was at that moment that Johnson's personal nemesis struck another blow.

    Willy Harris received the opening day start in left field for the Mets because of his past success against Johnson. This was truly a compliment to Johnson's dominance, as Harris is only a career .267 hitter versus the Florida flamethrower. Either driven by the confidence bestowed in him by skipper Terry Collins, or by the embarrassment of being no-hit on opening day, Harris served the third offering from Johnson into left-center for New Yorks first hit of the evening.

    What was most impressive about Johnson was not his "almost" no-hit stuff, but his reaction and demeanor after giving up the line drive single to Harris. Johnson displayed no remorse, but instead a driven resilience which was reminiscent of the great professionals of the mound such as Maddux or Mussina. Johnson quickly got back to work, inducing David Wright to fly out to center field on three pitches.

     It is Johnson's mental makeup and professional attitude which separates him from Florida's talented hurlers of the past. The 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins had a slew of young pitchers who dominated on the game's biggest stage. Josh Beckett, A.J. Burrnett, Carl Pavano, and Brad Penny have all had successful careers, but have faded from the spotlight as they have reached their early-to-mid 30s. They have not shown the ability to make adjustments to compensate for the erosion of natural talent with age.

    With each year that passes, Johnson proves that he has the capacity, the maturity, and the drive to excel late in his career. His no-hit bid on April 1st was only a preview of what he may accomplish in what hopes to be a Hall of Fame career.