Baseball has been America’s favorite pastime for over a century, and one of the most exciting moments in the sport is when a pitcher throws a perfect game. In a perfect game, the opposing team does not get a single hit, walk, or batter hit by a pitch.
This rare feat has only been accomplished 23 times in MLB history, making it one of the most treasured accomplishments in the game. In this article, we will explore the history of perfect games in the MLB, the teams with the most perfect games, and the pitchers who have achieved this incredible feat.
Perfect Games in MLB History
A perfect game is a rare occurrence in baseball, and it happens when a pitcher retires every single batter they face without allowing a hit, a walk, or a runner hit by a pitch. There have been only 23 perfect games in the history of MLB since the first one, pitched by John J.
Ward in 1880.
The first perfect game in modern baseball history was pitched by Charlie Robertson on April 30, 1922, for the Chicago White Sox in a game against the Detroit Tigers.
It would take another 34 years before another pitcher would throw a perfect game. In contrast, the pitchers who have accomplished this feat have been from 16 different teams.
The record for the most perfect games by a team is held by the Oakland Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies, who both have thrown five perfect games each. The Yankees are the next closest with four perfect games.
Players Who Threw
Perfect Games in MLB History
Roy Halladay’s perfect game and career achievements
On May 29, 2010, Roy Halladay, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, threw a perfect game against the Florida Marlins. Halladay’s perfect game was the 20th in MLB history.
His game included 11 strikeouts, and he threw 115 pitches in the game, 72 of which were strikes. That season, Halladay went on to win the National League Cy Young Award, an accolade he also won in 2003.
Felix Hernandez’s perfect game and career achievements
Felix Hernandez, a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012. With 12 strikeouts, Hernandez became one of only a few pitchers to throw a perfect game with 12 or more strikeouts.
Hernandez has also won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010. Randy Johnson’s perfect game and age record
Randy Johnson was 40 years old when he threw a perfect game for the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 18, 2004, against the Atlanta Braves.
By doing so, he became the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history. Johnson also holds the record for the most strikeouts in a single season with 372.
Matt Cain’s perfect game and strikeout record
On June 13, 2012, Matt Cain pitched a perfect game for the San Francisco Giants against the Houston Astros. Cain’s game also included a career-high 14 strikeouts, tying a National League record for most strikeouts in a perfect game.
Cain’s perfect game was the first in Giants history.
Other pitchers who threw perfect games in MLB history
Other pitchers who have thrown perfect games in MLB history include David Cone, Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, and Tom Browning. The most recent perfect game in MLB history was thrown by Seattle Mariners’ righty, Kendall Graveman, on July 24, 2021, against the Houston Astros.
Conclusion
Achieving a perfect game is one of the most spectacular accomplishments in the history of MLB. It’s a rare and impressive feat that requires a combination of remarkable pitching skills, great defense, and a little bit of luck.
With only 23 perfect games in MLB history, these achievements are highly coveted, and their rarity makes them all the more impressive. They are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the best pitchers in the game, and a reminder of why baseball remains America’s favorite pastime.
In this article, we explored the rarity and importance of perfect games in MLB history. With only 23 perfect games in the history of MLB, we examined the players and teams who have achieved this feat, including Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Randy Johnson, and Matt Cain.
We also discussed the definition of a perfect game and provided a list of frequently asked questions related to the topic. In conclusion, perfect games are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the best pitchers in the game, and a reminder of why baseball remains America’s favorite pastime.
FAQs:
1) What is a perfect game in baseball? A perfect game is when a pitcher retires every single batter they face without allowing a hit, walk, or a runner hit by a pitch.
2) How many perfect games have been thrown in MLB history? There have been 23 perfect games in MLB history.
3) Who holds the record for the most perfect games by a team? The Oakland Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies hold the record for the most perfect games, with each team throwing five.
4) Who are some players who have thrown perfect games in MLB history? Some notable players who have thrown perfect games in MLB history include Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Randy Johnson, and Matt Cain.
5) What is the oldest age of a pitcher to throw a perfect game? Randy Johnson was 40 years old when he threw a perfect game for the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 18, 2004, against the Atlanta Braves, making him the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history.