Of all pitching accomplishments in the 150+ year history of Major League Baseball, none is more prized and coveted than the perfect game. This singular feat occurs when a pitcher retires every batter faced over a complete nine-inning game without allowing a single baserunner. With the smallest possible margin for error, the perfecto represents an exceedingly rare and difficult milestone even among baseball’s pitching elite. Only 23 official perfect games have ever materialized across over 200,000 MLB contests played since the modern era began in 1901. The challenge and drama of attempting “27 up, 27 down” places perfect games on a pedestal as the pinnacle of pitching prowess in baseball. This extensive examination will uncover what exactly comprises a perfect game, the factors and luck involved, notable examples, and the legacy of those few immortals who attained perfection.
Official Rules of Major League Baseball Perfect Games
27 consecutive batters retired in order without allowing a single baserunner
Must complete a full 9 inning game from start to finish with no extra innings
No errors, walks, hit by pitches, dropped third strikes, or any other baserunners
No runs, no hits, no errors on the box score (abbreviated as a “no-no”)
Tabulated separately from “no-hitters” which allow baserunners via errors, walks, etc.
A perfect game differs distinctly from a “no-hitter” in which no hits are allowed but baserunners via walks, errors, etc are permitted. The perfection requirement takes no-hitters a step further demanding complete domination with zero runners whatsoever. Between both categories, around 300 total no-hitters of varying kinds have occurred compared to only 23 recognized perfect games.
Rarest Accomplishments in Sports
Even among no-hitters, the perfect game stands at the very top of the mountain as a once-in-a-lifetime or even career achievement for nearly every player. The probability of a randomly chosen Major League game ending as a perfecto is estimated around 1 in 30,000. Perfection is so scant due to the massive hurdles in getting 27 straight outs with no lucky breaks like errors or line drives finding gloves.
Some sports analogies with comparable rarity to MLB perfect games include:
Scoring a quadruple double (double digits in 4 categories) in the NBA
Running for over 300 yards in an NFL game
Bowling a 900 series (3 consecutive 300 games)
Shooting a round of 57 golf score under par
Landing a triple cork (3 off-axis flips) in an Olympics skiing event
That caliber of extreme accomplishment illustrates how low the perfect game probability curve dips.
Requirements for a Perfect Gam
The exacting criteria for perfection means everything has to go right with no margin for adversity. The pitcher cannot afford a single mistake pitch leaving the yard or defensive miscue altering the game’s course. Key prerequisites include:
Impeccable command resulting in zero walks issued
Avoiding the middle of the strike zone to limit dangerous contact
Inducing weak batted balls for routine outs
Elite fielding to convert every chance into an out
Favorable conditions like pitchers’ parks or weather factors
Luck in having hard contacts find gloves or go foul
With so many variables at play beyond the pitcher’s control, the stars have to align for the rare perfect game to emerge. One could argue perfection requires a certain degree of imperfection ironically. Let’s examine why that is the case.
Role of Ballparks, Conditions and Luck
While phenomenal skill is mandatory, perfect games also benefit from venues, weather, and pure chance cooperating:
Pitcher friendly ballparks like Dodger Stadium suppress home runs
Marine climates like San Francisco create dense, heavy air resistance
Afternoon shadows, glare or rain make visibility tougher on batters
Exceptional defensive plays convert what normally would be hits
Near home runs curve foul at the last instant
Hard smashes find fielders’ gloves by luck
Bob Feller’s 1948 perfect game featured Hank Majeski’s rope line drive caught with a final-play diving catch. Without that improbable grab, the perfect game disappears. External factors invariably support the quest for perfection.
The mental toughness to not get rattled under mounting pressure as the perfect game bid extends also separates the few who go all the way. Nerves often derail bids in the final innings.
Most Common Way Perfect Games are Spoiled
By far the most frequent way perfect game pursuits get foiled involve fielding errors. Errors have ended over 25% of prior bids after the 6th inning. Leadoff walks also commonly dash dreams right out the gate around 10% of the time. Other hits, hit by pitches and catcher interferences trail distantly. Simply put, defense and control make or break perfection.
Notable Perfect Game Milestones in MLB History
First: Lee Richmond, Worcester Ruby Legs vs Cleveland Spiders, 6/12/1880
First in modern era: Charlie Robertson, White Sox vs Tigers, 4/30/1922
First night game: Don Larsen, Yankees vs Dodgers, 10/8/1956 (World Series)
First extra innings: Jim Bunning, Phillies vs Mets, 6/21/1964
Most recent: Felix Hernandez, Mariners vs Rays 8/15/2012
Lee Richmond’s 1880 gem for the Worcester Ruby Legs marked the first recognized perfecto, though under looser “gentlemen’s rules” of the 19th century. Under modern post-1900 standards, Charlie Robertson’s perfecto in 1922 established the current era’s pursuit of perfection. Don Larsen famously delivered a perfect game in the 1956 World Series for the Yankees versus Brooklyn. Jim Bunning added drama going to extras in the first National League perfecto in 84 years.
Half of all modern perfectos came between 2010 and 2012 oddly.
Common Traits Among Perfect Game Hurlers
While reaching perfection requires serendipity, some shared traits stand out among the elite 23 perfect game producers:
Dominant fastball – Almost always feature a 95+ mph heater with movement
Excellent control – Impeccable command within the zone
High strikeouts – Fanning over 10 per nine innings
Low walks – Exceptional at avoiding free passes
Groundball induction – Keep the ball down and on the ground
Resilience – Unfazed handling late game pressure
Luck – Contributions from weather, fielding, foul balls
Having an ace’s arsenal keeps batters off balance while minimizing loud contact. Pitching ahead in counts preserves the leverage needed to entice weak swings. And shaking off late challenges comes with the pedigree of an established top arm.
Superstitions and Traditions
As the rarest accomplishment in the game, a mystique of quirky superstitions surrounds perfect game bids:
The “Unmentionable” – Teammates and announcers avoid directly referencing the perfect game in progress
Leaving pitchers alone – Tactfully avoiding interacting to avoid jinxing
Same seat, outfit, food – Rigid routines for fans without variation
Rally caps – Inside out hats donned for luck in the late innings
Numerology – Connecting numbers like 27 up, 27 down after perfection
While most are irrational, baseball tradition obliges honoring the code
on potential perfect games. Otherwise earning blame for being “that guy” who spoiled things hangs heavy. Tread carefully in the presence of unfolding perfection.
Pressure and Scrutiny in Later Innings
As the magic 27th out approaches, immense pressure descends on the pitcher and fielders tasked with history. Pitch counts climbing into triple digits past the 120s also increase physical demands. Arm fatigue, nerve fatigue, batter familiarity, and immense scrutiny all culminate into immense late game tension. Simply focusing on executing each pitch suddenly becomes supremely challenging with perfection imminent. Remaining calm amid exponentially rising stakes separates perfect game finishers from those who narrowly miss out. An almost cruel dynamic unfolds where coming closest paradoxically feels most heartbreaking.
Rare Feats of Perfect Game Domination
While any perfect game represents a monumental achievement, some standouts rose yet another level via sheer dominance:
Matt Cain: 14 strikeouts in 2012, most ever
Sandy Koufax: 14 strikeouts in 1965, first perfecto with >13 punchouts
David Cone: 10 strikeouts in 98 pitches in 1999, 88 game score
(historical efficiency rating)
Dennis Martinez: Perfect game in 1995 at age 40, oldest ever
David Wells: Perfect game fueled by hangover, forever added to legend
Cain’s 14 whiffs showcased peak overpowering stuff. Koufax proved unhittable at his peak. Cone achieved ultra efficiency. Martinez’s age-defying gem ranks among the most astounding. And Wells performed with an epic headache, entering baseball lore. Even among the perfect, some games prove more statistically dominant or memorable than others.
Conclusion
No matter how many seasons have passed, fans will talk about the most memorable competitive moments. A classic has achieved the great charm of baseball and also allowed us to witness the highest form of sports competition.
