FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        

City of Fullerton Celebrates Michael Lorenzen's Baseball

Career No-Hitter with Key to the City

FULLERTON, CA (FEBRUARY 7, 2024) – At the February 6, 2024 City Council meeting, the City of Fullerton proudly honored Michael Lorenzen for his outstanding achievement in the world of baseball. In a historic moment for the sport, Lorenzen, a native of Fullerton, accomplished a remarkable feat by pitching a no-hitter in his illustrious career.

Lorenzen was drafted in the first round (38th Overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 and the video of him hitting a three-run home run, the first of his career, went viral on the internet being viewed over 5 million times. On September 4, 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher and play in the field in the same game when the Reds defeated the Phillies, 8–5. The only other player to achieve the feat was Babe Ruth on June 13, 1921.

In 2020 for the Reds, Lorenzen pitched in 18 games, registering a 3-1 record and a 4.28 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 33.2 innings of work. On August 9, 2023 in his first start for the Philadelphia Phillies, Lorenzen became the fourth Fullerton Union High School Alumnus and 14th Philadelphia Phillie to throw a no-hitter. He did so with his mom, Cheryl, wife Cassi and daughter June in attendance while throwing 124 total pitches of which 76 were recorded as strikes.

To commemorate this significant milestone, Mayor Nicholas Dunlap presented Lorenzen with the Key to the City of Fullerton. This symbolic gesture is a token of appreciation from the citizens of Fullerton, expressing gratitude for his remarkable contributions to the world of sports and for bringing honor to our community.

“Fullerton is a baseball town, with championships at all levels from Little League to College,” said Mayor Nicholas Dunlap. “To celebrate Michael Lorenzen’s no-hitter by presenting him with a Key to the City in front of the hometown crowd and baseball community was a true honor. From his time with the Fullerton Union High School Tribe baseball team to his run as a CSUF Titan, we’ve watched him grow into the superstar he is today. We are proud of Michael and wish him much success. His grit and perseverance represent the Fullerton way.” 

During the Council meeting Lorenzen provided inspiring words and expressed his desire to always wanting to throw no hitters stating that during the game he thought to himself, “if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If it’s not, it’s not,” which gave him the peace of mind to finish. Lorenzen also provided guidance for the younger generation of baseball players relaying the message that in the game of baseball there are a lot of failures but being able to “look at failure as opportunity to grow, mature, and get better” is an important part of becoming successful.

Michael Lorenzen's remarkable journey from the fields of Fullerton to the heights of professional baseball serves as a testament to the talent and determination found within our community. His achievements remind us of all of the limitless possibilities that come from hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to one's dreams.

The City of Fullerton extends its warmest congratulations to Michael Lorenzen on this remarkable accomplishment and looks forward to celebrating his continued success in the world of baseball.

About the City of Fullerton

Founded in 1887 and nestled in the heart of Orange County, California, Fullerton is a dynamic and diverse community blending small-town charm with urban sophistication. With over 140,000 residents, Fullerton’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and strong sense of community offers residents and visitors a unique experience. Fullerton is known for its beautiful parks, multiple educational institutions, including California State University – Fullerton, and a bustling downtown district that serves as a central gathering place.

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