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Chris Rusin's no-hitter, through the eyes of Twitter

Minor league baseball no-hitters may not have received a lot of attention as they unfolded in the past because baseball fans outside of local markets didn’t have access to media outlets that might be covering one. But now, Twitter can take us anywhere, anytime.

Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

I’m old enough to remember watching John Candelaria toss a no-hitter on television for the Pirates in 1976. I also watched Bret Saberhagen throw one in 1991 on television. And since then, I’ve seen a slew of others in which networks cut in for the final inning, expertly filling in all the details so viewers can feel the drama building.

That’s the way the major leagues are covered – justifiably so.

Fast forward to yesterday, when Chris Rusin tossed a no-hitter in New Orleans for the Iowa Cubs – the first one in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League since 2009.

It was covered differently than major league no-hitters, as is every other feat in the minor leagues. In fact, the first video I saw of the celebration was shot by Randy Wehofer, the director of media relations for the Iowa Cubs, with his cell phone. It was shaky and unpolished, making it a perfect portrayal of a major event being recorded in the minor leagues.

To my knowledge, there weren’t any live look-ins as the no-hitter progressed. Instead, Twitter provided the unfolding drama.

Even the person in charge of the New Orleans Zephyrs Twitter account got in on the act, probably as a way to jinx the no-no, if you believe in such things. As a side note, I don't see Rusin in the photo, do you?

The drama continued to build via Twitter.

And the celebration was on.

I've only been covering MiLB for six seasons and I haven't had the privilege of seeing a no-hitter live. And I really can't speak from a position of authority on this, but it seems to me that MiLB no-hitters may not have received a lot of attention as they unfolded in the past, partially because, well ... it's the minor leagues, and partially because baseball fans outside of local markets didn't access to media outlets that might be covering one.

But now, Twitter can take us anywhere, anytime.