Fifty-three Years Ago today, the New York Mets threw the club’s first no-hitter, with Gary Kroll and Gordie Richardson combining for nine innings of no-hit ball during a 6-0 spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Kroll pitched the first six innings on March 21, 1965, walking three batters in the first inning. Richardson threw the last three frames, with Del Crandall reaching first in the eighth inning on an error by shortstop Roy MacMillian.

Murray Chass’ report for the AP noted that the no-hitter “marked the first time the Mets had a hitless game pitched for them in exhibition or regular season play, instead of against them,” referring to Sandy Koufax’s 1962 no-no and Jim Bunning’s 1964 perfect game.

Little did anyone know back then that it would be another 47 years before a Mets pitcher would finally throw an official no-hitter – Johan Santana on June 1, 2012.