The Improbable Perfection: A Deep Dive into Baseball’s Perfect Games
Yes, there have been perfect games in baseball, and they are among the rarest and most celebrated achievements in the sport. A perfect game occurs when a pitcher completes a full nine-inning game (or more, in rare cases) without allowing any opposing player to reach base. This means no hits, no walks, no hit batsmen, no errors, no uncaught third strikes, and no instances of catcher’s or fielder’s interference. It is the pinnacle of pitching dominance and a true testament to a pitcher’s skill, focus, and a little bit of luck. In the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), only a select few have attained this elusive mark. As of now, there have been only 24 official perfect games in the 154-year history of the MLB, a statistic that underscores the incredible difficulty of achieving such a feat. While there are many different kinds of milestones in baseball, the perfect game stands out as one of the most remarkable.
The Rarity of Perfection
The rarity of a perfect game is due to the myriad of ways a batter can reach base. A single base hit, a walk, an error by the defense, or even getting hit by a pitch – all of these can shatter the dream of a perfect game. The margin for error for the pitcher is zero. To maintain perfection, the pitcher needs to exhibit complete control over their pitches, an efficient defense behind them, and a bit of luck to avoid bloopers and misplays. This perfect storm of factors is why perfect games are so few and far between.
Notable Perfect Game Pitchers
While no MLB pitcher has ever thrown two perfect games, a significant number of those who have thrown a single one are among the best to ever play the game. Here are some of the most notable pitchers to have thrown a perfect game:
- Cy Young: One of the earliest examples of a perfect game was accomplished by the legendary Cy Young in 1904. His longevity, accomplishments, and dominance were highlighted by his perfect game. He is, of course, the namesake of the most coveted pitching award in baseball, the Cy Young Award.
- Addie Joss: Joss’s perfect game was in 1908, when he outdueled Ed Walsh in a 1-0 game. His talent is legendary, as he only pitched for nine years before dying at 31 years old.
- Jim Bunning: A Hall of Fame pitcher, Bunning achieved a perfect game in 1964. Bunning was known for a long career as a standout in the National League.
- Sandy Koufax: Known for his incredible dominance, Koufax’s perfect game in 1965 is one of the most celebrated in baseball history. This was one of four no-hitters in Koufax’s career.
- Catfish Hunter: Hunter threw his perfect game in 1968 as part of his 224-win career, which is part of why he is in the Hall of Fame.
- Randy Johnson: The “Big Unit,” known for his intimidating presence on the mound, threw a perfect game in 2004 at the age of 40.
- Roy Halladay: Halladay, one of the most consistent pitchers of his time, threw a perfect game in 2010.
These Hall of Fame pitchers represent the pinnacle of baseball pitching, and their perfect games stand as monuments to their greatness. While there are plenty of great pitchers throughout the history of the sport, there are only a small handful of pitchers to have ever thrown a perfect game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Has anyone ever thrown two perfect games?
No, in Major League Baseball, no pitcher has ever thrown two perfect games. While there are numerous pitchers who have thrown multiple no-hitters, the perfect game has eluded all who have attempted it for a second time. However, Jean Faut of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) accomplished the feat with perfect games in 1951 and 1953.
2. Has anyone ever lost a perfect game in the ninth inning?
Yes, there have been heartbreaking instances where a perfect game was lost in the final inning. One notable example is Max Scherzer’s perfect game bid in 2015 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He lost his perfect game by hitting Jose Tabata on the left arm with two outs in the ninth inning.
3. Has there ever been a combined perfect game?
Although it is possible for two or more pitchers to combine for a perfect game, every MLB perfect game so far has been thrown by a single pitcher. This is unlike no-hitters where multiple pitchers have combined. There have been combined perfect games in other leagues, including the Nippon Professional Baseball’s 2007 Japan Series.
4. What is the rarest baseball play?
The unassisted triple play is considered one of the rarest plays in baseball. A perfect game is rare as well, but the unassisted triple play is almost unheard of. An unassisted triple play occurs when a single fielder completes all three outs in a single play. It is so rare that it has only happened 15 times in MLB history.
5. Has anyone ever struck out all 27 batters in a game?
While it’s extremely difficult to do so, Ron Necciai is the only professional pitcher to record 27 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. This was not an MLB game, however. He accomplished this incredible feat on May 13, 1952, while pitching for the Class-D Bristol Twins.
6. What is the longest perfect game ever pitched?
The longest perfect game lasted 12 innings, pitched by Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959 against the Milwaukee Braves. Despite the perfect game, he lost both the no-hitter and the game in the 13th inning, illustrating the heartbreak that can be a part of the sport.
7. Does a walk ruin a perfect game?
Yes, a walk absolutely ruins a perfect game. To achieve a perfect game, a pitcher must not allow any opposing player to reach base, and that includes walks, hit batsmen, uncaught third strikes, catcher’s or fielder’s interference, or fielding errors. Any of these events break the perfection of the game.
8. Did Nolan Ryan ever throw a perfect game?
Despite his incredible career and his seven no-hitters, Nolan Ryan never pitched a perfect game. This is because he often had a high walk rate that prevented him from maintaining perfection throughout a game. He is still one of the best pitchers in history, but the perfect game remained elusive.
9. How rare is a perfect game?
The perfect game is incredibly rare. Over 154 years of Major League Baseball history, and with over 238,500 games played, there have only been 24 official perfect games by the current definition. No pitcher has thrown more than one, highlighting just how difficult the achievement is.
10. What is the rarest pitch in MLB?
The screwball is considered one of the rarest pitches in MLB. It is a breaking ball that moves in the opposite direction of other breaking pitches, and it is rarely thrown because of the stress it puts on a pitcher’s arm.
11. How rare is a no-hitter?
A no-hitter is also quite rare, but more common than a perfect game. There have been 322 no-hitters in MLB history, which is still rare, but a more common occurance. A no-hitter occurs when a pitcher allows no hits during the entire course of a game.
12. Has anyone ever pitched a 27-pitch game?
No, but the previously mentioned Ron Necciai struck out 27 batters in nine innings, which implies a low pitch count. Although this was not an MLB game, it is still a very impressive and unique baseball feat.
13. Who has the most no-hitters in history?
Nolan Ryan holds the record for most no-hitters, with seven in his career. This record stands as one of the most impressive pitching records in the MLB.
14. Has anyone ever hit two home runs in one inning?
Yes, several players have hit two home runs in a single inning. There is an even more exclusive club of players who have done it multiple times including Edwin Encarnación, Alex Rodriguez, Jeff King, Andre Dawson and Willie McCovey
15. Has anyone ever pitched three no-hitters in a row?
Johnny Vander Meer is the only pitcher in MLB history to have thrown back-to-back no-hitters. While this isn’t three in a row, this remains one of the most unbreakable records in the sport.
The Enduring Allure of the Perfect Game
The perfect game represents the apex of pitching achievement in baseball. Its rarity and the precision required to accomplish it make it a captivating event for fans and players alike. The fact that so few have ever thrown one and that no one has ever thrown more than one solidifies its place as one of the most impressive accomplishments in the sport. The stories of those who have achieved perfection, and those who came close, will continue to be told and retold, further cementing the perfect game’s legendary status in baseball.