Houston Astros' No-Hitter Earns Spot In Cooperstown

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco's no-hitter has already earned a place in Cooperstown.

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco's no-hitter has already earned a place in Cooperstown. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York has an extensive collection of baseball memorabilia celebrating centuries of baseball history. It's simultaneously impressive, overwhelming and awe-inspiring -- a baseball fan's dream.

The museum is always adding new items, too, so the exhibits are always evolving, just like the game itself. Its collection is about to get even bigger after Ronel Blanco's no-hitter for the Houston Astros earlier this week.

On Wednesday, the Hall of Fame shared on X that two souvenirs from Blanco's historic performance -- his City Connect cap and a game ball -- are on their way to Cooperstown.

Ronel Blanco's City Connect cap and a game ball from the 17th no-hitter in @astros history are Cooperstown bound. Congratulations on your achievement! pic.twitter.com/dHn0Je0JrK

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) April 3, 2024

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate Blanco's no-no against the Toronto Blue Jays -- the 17th in Astros history. It was the first of the 2024 MLB season, and it might also be the last depending on how the rest of the year plays out. It was also the earliest date of a no-hitter (April 1) in MLB history.

Not bad for an injury replacement making his eighth career start.

While the 30-year-old Blanco probably won't end up with a plaque in Cooperstown someday, he's already contributed more to the museum than most players ever have, or ever will.

For one day, at least, he was about as good as you can possibly be on a baseball mound.

More than any other sport, baseball loves preserving its history. Now someday, Astros fans can take their kids to Cooperstown and tell them about the time Blanco shocked the baseball world on April Fool's Day.