A perfect game is a difficult to attain and impressive achievement in Major League Baseball. A winning shooter must exit all the 27 hitters in order, without hits, walks, or mistakes. Only a few players have reached this milestone since professional baseball's inception.
How many perfect games are there in MLB? The answer is 24, with the last ten perfect games highlighting dominant performances from various eras. Legendary perfect game shooters include David Cone, who made a perfect game in MLB for team New York Yankees in 1999, and Cain Matt, who also made same for the San Francisco Giants.
The Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics are tied for the most MLB perfect games, both of them having three. Meanwhile, teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays have also witnessed perfection. Memorable moments include Koufax's perfect game, Don Larsen's World Series gem, and Cy Young's dominance in the present-time of the Major League Baseball story.
With developing pitching techniques and heightened competition, a perfect game thrown remains an extraordinary event in the MLB archive.
What is a Perfect Game in Baseball?
Definition and Requirements
A perfect game is one of the hardest things to do in MLB, requiring a pitcher to rest all 27 hitters in a nine-inning game without allowing a single opponent to hit home or reach base. This means no hits, walks, hit shooters, or fielding complications can occur throughout the game in major league play.
Unlike a no-hitter, where baserunners can reach on errors or walks, a perfect game pitched demands absolute precision and control. The pitcher must maintain an impeccable strikeout-to-walk ratio, keeping every opposing team hitter off base. Additionally, solid defensive support is crucial, as even the slightest misplay can end the bid for perfection.
With only a handful of MLB complete games recorded in baseball history, achieving this milestone places a pitcher in an elite category. It is a demonstration of peak performance, making it almost the most difficult thing to achieve in Major League Baseball.
Difference Between a No-Hitter and a Perfect Game
A no-hitter & a perfect game are eye-catching pitching achievements in Major League Baseball, but they differ significantly in difficulty.
A no-hitter is achieved when a shooter allows no hits over at least nine innings, but batters from the opposing team can still reach base through mistakes, hit-by-pitches, or walks. In contrast, a perfect game shot means the pitcher retires all 27 shooters without allowing anyone on base.
For example, Matt Cain, playing for the San Francisco Giants, made a perfect game in MLB in 2012, while pitchers like those from the New York Yankees & Chicago White Sox have had no-hitters with walks. The challenge of a perfect game makes it one of the almost-impossible acts in the MLB archive, recognized in the Baseball Hall of Elites.
How Rare Are Perfect Games?
Statistical Breakdown
A perfect game is something you may hardly see in MLB history, occurring significantly less frequently than no-hitters or complete games. Only a few hurlers in major league games have relieved 27 hitters without giving space for any baserunner.
Since the earliest perfect game pitched in 1880, there have been just over two dozen instances in history. Notable teams e.g. the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies have witnessed this rare event. Legendary pitchers such as Matt Cain and those who earned the Cy Young Award have contributed to this elite list.
With almost 200,000 MLB games completed, the chances of seeing a perfect game in MLB are less than 0.01%. Even the Yankee Stadium crowd has only witnessed a few, the most recent being in the contemporary era. This rarity establishes the MLB perfect game as one of the things the sport would love to experience.
Key Historical Moments
The perfect game is an achievement that stands out in MLB history, resulting in unforgettable moments that have impacted the sport. The New York Yankees have been involved in numerous historic events, including David Cone's masterpiece in 1999, which paid tribute to Yogi Berra.
Cain's perfect game in baseball with the San Francisco Giants in 2012, with a game score of 101, was one of the best ever recorded. The fourth perfect game ever, as well as the rare occasions when a left-handed pitcher achieves this accomplishment, are legendary.
Though no pitcher has done that on the highest stage, the World Series, perfect games remain a defining aspect of major league archives. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers have also been part of these remarkable games, proving that achieving perfection is the ultimate test for any pitcher.
Last Perfect Game in MLB
Recent Perfect Game Highlights
The perfect game in baseball account that is more current was made possible by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees on the 28th of June, 2023. Facing the Oakland Athletics, Germán delivered a flawless complete game, relieving the entire 27 hitters without a dropped third strike or a mistake.
This historic performance added to the Yankees' legacy, as they became the only team with four MLB perfect games. Germán’s precision and dominance echoed legendary feats from past pitchers, reinforcing how rare perfection is in major league archives.
With about 200,000 games witnessed in the history of baseball, some hitters have made very close attempts, but what is the number of perfect games in the history of the MLB? Just 24, proving that to throw a perfect game is to etch one’s name into the baseball elite community.
Longest Gaps Between Perfect Games
In the history of MLB, there have existed extended periods without a perfect game. Among the longest droughts, the most prominent one lasted 34 years between 1922 and 1956, highlighting how rare it is to throw a perfect game. The stretch ended when Don Larsen achieved perfection in the World Series, an unmatched feat in baseball.
Another significant gap occurred between 1968 and 1981, when pitchers struggled to dominate in an era of offensive power. More recently, after ‘012, a major league record drought of over a decade persisted until ‘023, when the New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán broke the dry spell.
With perfect games occurring in over 200,000 games in the history of the MLB, the rarity is clear. Changes in pitching strategies and power hitting have contributed to these gaps, making all the only perfect game an unforgettable event.
Famous Pitchers Who Achieved Perfect Games
Legendary Performances
A perfect game is almost an impossible thing to achieve in MLB history, and only a select few pitchers have tried to throw a perfect game. Some of the most legendary performances have cemented their place in baseball lore.
Cy Young, whose name is synonymous with pitching excellence, documented the first originally approved MLB perfect game in 1904 while playing for the Boston Americans. His dominance set the standard for future greats.
Koufax Sandy’s perfect game in 1965 for the Los Angeles Dodgers is considered one of the finest pitching displays ever. With 14 strikeouts, he overwhelmed the opposing lineup, proving why he was one of the sport’s most feared pitchers.
Randy Johnson, at 40 years old, turned the oldest hurler to achieve perfection in 2004, throwing a perfect game for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His blazing fastball & terrific slider left hitters helpless.
Other legendary names include Don Larsen, who remains the only pitcher to throw a perfect game in the grand stage of the World Series, and David Cone, who dominated at Yankee Stadium. With the number of perfect games achieved over decades, each remains a treasured part of baseball’s legacy.
Surprising Perfect Games
A perfect game is often associated with baseball’s most dominant pitchers, but some of the most unforgettable moments in MLB perfect game history have come from unexpected heroes. These performances defied the odds and added to the magic of the sport.
One of the biggest surprises came in 2010 when Dallas Braden, a pitcher with a modest career record, delivered a flawless performance for the Oakland Athletics. Facing the Tampa Bay Rays, Braden completed the entire game without allowing a single hitter to hit base.
Philip Humber hit another shocking moment in MLB perfect game account in 2012. With a career marked by inconsistency, he achieved perfection with the Chicago White Sox in opposition to the Seattle Mariners. His final out, sealed on a dropped third strike, still lingers as one of the many dramatic endings to a perfect game.
Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981 for the Cleveland Indians was another unexpected gem. Known more for his solid pitching than his dominance, he managed to retire all 27 hurlers faced, leading the winning team to victory.
These games remind fans that a perfect game can happen under any circumstances, regardless of a pitcher’s career archive. Even those who never reached the Baseball elite group have placed their names in history with one extraordinary performance.
What Is MVR in Baseball?
In today’s Major League Baseball strategy, MVR stands for Mound Visits Remaining. This statistic indicates how many times a team can visit the pitcher’s mound during a game without requiring a pitching change. Implemented to improve game pace, MVR helps prevent excessive delays caused by frequent discussions between pitchers, catchers, and coaches.
Each team is allotted a set number of mound visits per game, typically five in regular nine-inning matchups. However, in extra-inning situations, additional visits may be granted. If a team exceeds its limit, the pitcher must be removed unless an injury is involved.
Managing MVR wisely is crucial, especially in high-stakes scenarios like a perfect game attempt or a tight National League matchup. Coaches must balance offering strategic advice with preserving mound visits for critical moments, such as during the third inning of a losing record team's comeback attempt. Proper MVR usage can impact outcomes, much like a well-timed double play or a game-winning strikeout.
Strategies for Achieving a Perfect Game
Mastering Pitch Control
Getting a perfect game is possible; a pitcher should demonstrate exceptional accuracy, command, and strategic execution. Every pitch must be carefully placed to prevent hitters from reaching base, making pitch control one of the most critical aspects of this rare feat.
A successful MLB perfect game must balance velocity, movement, and deception. Precision is key—mistakes can lead to the only run scoring in a tightly contested match. Great pitchers adjust their strategies based on the opposing lineup, ensuring their pitch selection remains unpredictable from the first no hitter attempt to the ninth inning.
Historically, teams like the Brooklyn Dodgers have witnessed dominant pitching performances. Those who can maintain a low strikeout to walk ratio while putting hurlers off balance often find themselves on the path to greatness. Whether in New York or elsewhere, controlling the strike zone over nine innings is essential in etching a pitcher’s name in the baseball archive.
Mental and Physical Preparation
Hitting a perfect game demands not only exceptional skill but also immense mental resilience and peak physical condition. A pitcher must maintain unwavering focus throughout seven games or more in a season, refining both their endurance and decision-making to perform at their absolute best.
Mental toughness is crucial—handling pressure, blocking out distractions, and staying composed in high-stakes moments can be the difference between history and just another start.
From the Worcester Ruby Legs era to modern times, hitters that have completed this awesome task have demonstrated an elite mindset. They must push past fatigue, especially in the later innings when every run scoring opportunity for the opponent becomes a threat.
On the physical side, a pitcher must possess excellent conditioning, ensuring they can sustain power and precision deep into the match. Whether it's an MLB perfect game or a one-walk no-hitter, consistency is key. Staying strong over an entire half-game or an entire season while playing for the same team can set the foundation for one of baseball’s rarest achievements.
Conclusion
A perfect game stays as one of the most extraordinary feats in baseball, a testament to a pitcher’s skill, focus, and endurance. Unlike a half game where momentum can shift, a perfect game demands dominance from the very first pitch to the final out. Across multiple eras, only a select few pitchers have managed to achieve this, making it an iconic event in baseball history.
In any same season, the possibility of witnessing a perfect game keeps fans and analysts on edge. Every pitch, every play, and every defensive effort contributes to this rare accomplishment, making it a thrilling moment for both players and spectators.
The unpredictability of the sport makes it more exciting—not only for the teams involved but also for those looking to engage in strategic betting.
For fans interested in following the action and making informed predictions on baseball’s biggest moments, including the chances of a perfect game, platforms like PLG Bet offer a range of betting options. Whether analyzing team form, pitcher stats, or game dynamics, betting can add an extra level of anticipation to every MLB season.
FAQs
What is the difference between a perfect game and a no-hitter?
A perfect game suggests that no hitter from the rival team reaches base: no hits, no mistakes, no walks. A no-hitter, however, allows hitters to reach base as a result of mistakes, hit-by-pitches, or walks, but prevents them from recording an official hit during the game.
Has anyone thrown two perfect games?
No pitcher in MLB history has ever achieved double perfect games. Many elite pitchers have thrown one, but no one has managed to replicate this nearly impossible feat twice, proving just how rare and challenging it truly is.
What is considered a perfect game in baseball?
You can call a game a perfect hit in MLB when a P wins the whole 27 batters in one after the other, without allowing a mistake, hit, hit-by-pitch, or walk, completing nine innings without any rival player reaching base.
How rare is a perfect game in baseball?
A perfect game is a feat that does not always happen in MLB history, with only a small number recorded across thousands of games. Achieving 27 consecutive outs without a batter reaching base requires flawless execution, control, and defensive support.
How many perfect games are there in MLB history?
In the entire Major League Baseball’s long history, there have been a limited figure of perfect games, making them one of the most exceptional and infrequent accomplishments a pitcher can achieve on the professional stage.
Has there ever been a 27 pitch perfect game?
Never has there been any pitcher in MLB who has hit a perfect game using just 27 pitches, as it would require every batter to be retired on a single pitch each at-bat.
When was the last perfect game pitched?
The perfect game in MLB that is still very fresh in time was hit by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees on 28th June 2023.
