National Post Sports

Homer Bailey celebrated the most unforgettable night of his still blossoming career in a quiet hotel bar with a handful of Cincinnati Reds teammates, who made sure the first Reds pitcher in 24 years to throw a no-hitter didn’t have to pick up the tab.

There, over bourbon on the rocks, Bailey did his best to answer each of the 140-plus congratulatory messages he received from well-wishers while trying not to let his 1-0 masterpiece over the floundering Pittsburgh Pirates go to his head.

On that front, he quite literally failed.

Asked on Saturday if he’d come back to earth after experiencing such a lofty high, the 26-year-old right-hander couldn’t stifle a grin.

“Hangovers usually do that, yeah,” Bailey said with a laugh.