The world of Major League Baseball (MLB) is filled with extraordinary feats and moments that capture the imagination of fans. One of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in baseball is the perfect game. A perfect game occurs when a pitcher faces a minimum of 27 batters and retires them all without allowing any baserunners. As of now, only 23 perfect games have been thrown in MLB history, making it one of the most elusive accomplishments in sports. In this article, we will take a closer look at these remarkable performances, providing a comprehensive overview of each perfect game, the pitchers behind them, and the dates they occurred.
| Pitcher | Date | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Richmond | June 12, 1880 | Worcester Ruby Legs | Springfield Brownies |
| John Montgomery Ward | June 17, 1880 | Providence Grays | Buffalo Bisons |
| Cy Young | May 5, 1904 | Boston Americans | Philadelphia Athletics |
| Don Larsen | October 8, 1956 | New York Yankees | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Jim Bunning | June 21, 1964 | Philadelphia Phillies | New York Mets |
| Catfish Hunter | May 8, 1968 | Oakland Athletics | Minnesota Twins |
| Tom Seaver | June 16, 1978 | New York Mets | Chicago Cubs |
| Len Barker | May 15, 1981 | Cleveland Indians | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Mike Witt | September 30, 1984 | California Angels | Texas Rangers |
| Roger Clemens | September 18, 1996 | New York Yankees | Texas Rangers |
| Kenny Rogers | July 28, 1994 | Texas Rangers | California Angels |
| David Wells | May 17, 1998 | New York Yankees | Minnesota Twins |
| David Cone | July 18, 1999 | New York Yankees | Montreal Expos |
| Randy Johnson | May 18, 2004 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Atlanta Braves |
| Mark Buehrle | July 23, 2009 | Chicago White Sox | Tampa Bay Rays |
| Dallas Braden | May 9, 2010 | Oakland Athletics | Tampa Bay Rays |
| Roy Halladay | May 29, 2010 | Philadelphia Phillies | Florida Marlins |
| Matt Cain | June 13, 2012 | San Francisco Giants | Houston Astros |
| Felix Hernandez | August 15, 2012 | Seattle Mariners | Tampa Bay Rays |
| Max Scherzer | October 3, 2015 | Washington Nationals | New York Mets |
| Jake Arrieta | April 21, 2016 | Chicago Cubs | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Corey Kluber | May 13, 2017 | Cleveland Indians | Chicago White Sox |
| Justin Verlander | September 1, 2019 | Houston Astros | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Glen Perkins | June 20, 2020 | Chicago White Sox | Seattle Mariners |
Lee Richmond: The First Perfect Game
On June 12, 1880, Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs made history by throwing the first perfect game in Major League Baseball. His achievement set the stage for what would become one of the most prestigious accomplishments in the sport. Richmond faced 27 batters, retiring them all and securing his place in baseball lore.
John Montgomery Ward: A Historic Follow-Up
Just five days after Richmond’s feat, John Montgomery Ward threw his own perfect game on June 17, 1880, for the Providence Grays. This remarkable occurrence highlighted how rare and remarkable these events would become in MLB history.
Cy Young: The Legend’s Perfect Game
On May 5, 1904, Cy Young, the namesake of the prestigious pitching award, achieved a perfect game while playing for the Boston Americans against the Philadelphia Athletics. This game further solidified Young’s legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball.
Don Larsen: A World Series Perfect Game
Don Larsen’s perfect game on October 8, 1956, during Game 5 of the World Series is perhaps one of the most famous in history. Pitching for the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, Larsen’s performance is celebrated as one of the greatest moments in postseason baseball.
Jim Bunning: A Pioneering Perfect Game
Jim Bunning achieved his perfect game on June 21, 1964, as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. His performance against the New York Mets was remarkable not only for its perfection but also for the skill and tenacity Bunning exhibited on the mound.
Catfish Hunter: The First of Many
Catfish Hunter’s perfect game on May 8, 1968, for the Oakland Athletics against the Minnesota Twins was a landmark achievement in baseball history. Hunter’s prowess on the mound made him a revered figure in the sport.
Modern Perfect Games
In recent years, the perfect game has continued to be a rare and celebrated achievement. Pitchers like Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, and Max Scherzer have added their names to the exclusive list, showcasing the ongoing challenge and excitement of this elusive feat in baseball.
FAQ
What is a perfect game in baseball?
A perfect game is when a pitcher retires all 27 batters they face in a game without allowing any to reach base through hits, walks, or errors. It is a rare and celebrated accomplishment in baseball history.
Who has thrown the most perfect games in MLB history?
The New York Yankees are notable for having had multiple pitchers achieve perfect games, with Don Larsen and David Wells being among the most