Unveiling the All-Time Record: How Many Perfect Games in MLB History?
Have you ever heard about perfect games in baseball? A perfect game is a rare achievement in the MLB where a pitcher pitches an entire game and allows no opposing player to reach first base. This means that the pitcher throws a minimum of 27 batters and gets all of them out. Perfect games are one of the most celebrated feats in baseball history, and today we’re going to look at just how many have been thrown throughout the years.
How Many Perfect Games Have Been Thrown in MLB History?
Since the first official MLB game in 1876, only 23 perfect games have been thrown in history. The first perfect game was thrown in 1880 by John Ward, who pitched for the Providence Grays. The most recent perfect game was in 2012, when Felix Hernandez pitched for the Seattle Mariners.
The Longest Period Between Perfect Games
The longest period between perfect games in MLB history is 34 years. The first perfect game was thrown in 1880, and the next one wasn’t thrown until 34 years later in 1914.
The Most Perfect Games in a Single Season
The most perfect games thrown in a single season is three, a feat that has been accomplished twice. The first time this happened was in 1880, and the second time was in 2012. In both cases, all three perfect games were pitched by different pitchers.
The Most Perfect Games by a single player
There are two players that have pitched two perfect games in their careers. The first is Roy Halladay, who pitched his first perfect game in 2010 and then another one in 2011. The second is Randy Johnson, who pitched his first perfect game in 2004 and then another one in 2009.
The Youngest Pitcher to Throw a Perfect Game
The youngest pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history is Felix Hernandez. He was just 26 years old when he pitched his perfect game on August 15, 2012.
The Shortest Game in MLB History
The shortest game in MLB history was a perfect game. On September 28, 1944, the St. Louis Browns defeated the Detroit Tigers in just one hour and 13 minutes. It remains the only perfect game in MLB history to be shorter than two hours.
FAQs
1. What are the odds of throwing a perfect game?
The odds of throwing a perfect game are incredibly slim, with only 23 perfect games thrown in MLB history.
2. How many no-hitters have been thrown in MLB history?
There have been 307 no-hitters thrown in MLB history. A no-hitter is when a pitcher pitches an entire game, but the opposing team is not able to get a hit.
3. What is the longest game in MLB history?
The longest game in MLB history was played between the Boston Braves and the Brooklyn Robins on May 1, 1920. The game lasted 26 innings and took 8 hours and 22 minutes to complete.
4. What is the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game?
A no-hitter is when a pitcher pitches an entire game, but the opposing team is not able to get a hit. A perfect game is a type of no-hitter, but in addition to not allowing any hits, the pitcher also doesn’t allow any players to reach base.
5. How many innings are there in a perfect game?
A perfect game consists of nine innings, just like any other game.
6. Who was the first player to throw a perfect game?
John Ward, who pitched for the Providence Grays, was the first player to throw a perfect game in 1880.
7. When was the most recent perfect game thrown?
The most recent perfect game was thrown on August 15, 2012, by Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.
Conclusion
Perfect games are one of the rarest and most celebrated events in baseball. Over the course of MLB history, a total of 23 perfect games have been thrown, with the most recent in 2012 by Felix Hernandez. Perfect games are a testament to the skill and determination of the pitcher and are revered by baseball fans around the world. As we look forward to future baseball seasons, we can only hope that we’ll see even more perfect games that go down in history as some of the greatest moments in the sport.