"Snell who?" - Padres fans buzzing as Dylan Cease's memorabilia makes way to Cooperstown following historic no-hitter

San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease etched his name into history books on Thursday. Cease had the nation's capital on its feet after throwing a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals.

The former Chicago White Sox starter was one of the most coveted pitchers in the offseason and the Padres won the race to sign him to replace the departing Blake Snell.

Cease has exceeded expectations so far this season and his first career no-hitter and just the second in Padres history has paved the way for a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cease's cap and a ball from his no-hitter game on Thursday is headed to Cooperstown.

While the Padres fanbase is over the moon after Cease's historic outing, fans aimed a sly dig at reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

"Man really did what Snell or Darvish couldn't," wrote a fan.

"Cease is the man!!! CY cease coming! Snell who?" mocked a fan.

Several fans rallied behind the new Padres pitcher's pursuit of the NL Cy Young winner award.

"Your CY Award winner!" exclaimed a fan.

"Cylan Cease? Or Dylan Cyse? Can't decide," wrote another

Padres fans buzz over Dylan Cease's Hall of Fame inclusion (Image source - BHOF IG)

Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell turned down a $20.25 million offer from the Padres at the end of last season to opt for free agency. His prolonged free agency eventually came to an end after division rivals San Francisco Giants tabled a $62 million deal for two years in March 2024.

Dylan Cease continues to get better in debut season for the Padres

Dylan Cease has been almost unhittable in July. The Padres ace went scoreless, conceding just two hits over his previous two games heading into the no-hitter on Thursday.

Cease shared Padres pitching coach Ruben Nieblas' contribution to his growth in his first season in the National League.

“Ruben has taught me some different pitches, shown me different pitch grips. Consistently pitching against new teams, in new environments. Anytime you’re forced to do new things, it’s going to ultimately end up making you grow.”

Dylan Cease is only the second pitcher in Padres' franchise history to achieve the remarkable feat, joining Joe Musgrove's no-hitter against the Rangers in 2021.