On Sunday, September 13, 2020, at 1:10 pm, Chicago time, 28 year old Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills made his ninth start of the season and 28th of his four year major league career.

Two hours and 50 minutes later… this happened:

Minutes later, Mills faced the media and said, “”I’m just proud to be that person that can tell you to never give up. Never stop playing. Never let people tell you what you can and can’t do and just keep persevering.”

Since he was drafted in the 22nd-round of the 2012 draft many have wondered why Mills didn’t give up. But, not Mills.

“I’ve always thought of things on the brighter side,” he said. “I stepped up in the minors. Never was really stuck anywhere.”

Back with the Royals, Mills had a cup of coffee with the major league team before being traded on February 8, 2017 to the Cubs for minor leaguer Donnie Dewees.

He made seven appearances with the Cubs during the 2017 season, spending much of the year on the disabled list with injuries to his ankle and forearm.

In 2018, he was recalled back to the Cubs after an injury to Tyler Chatwood. His numbers in the minors were nothing to brag about but his stuff was impressing the Cubs.

He made seven appearances for the club and had an ERA of 4.00

In 2019, he won one game in four starts with the Cubs and was getting the type of education about pitching that was elevating his confidence and results.

This season, José Quintana began the season on the injured list and Mills was on the opening day roster as part of the starting rotation.

Now, Mills is in the history books. His no-hitter is the 16th in franchise history and the first since Jake Arrieta’s no-no on April 21, 2016.

For more on Mills journey…