Baseball Perfect Game: Ultimate Guide to MLB's Rarest Achievement

A perfect game is a difficult-to-attain and impressive feat in Major League Baseball archives, requiring a pitcher to retire the entire 27 rival hitters without letting a single baserunner.

With 33 perfect games ever witnessed in the major leagues, this achievement is even rarer than a no-hitter. MLB perfect games record consists of legends like Sandy Koufax, whose perfect game still is arguably the most talked about. Teams have witnessed history unfold, from the New York Yankees to the Oakland Athletics. How do you spot a perfect game in baseball? What makes it the ultimate pitching milestone?

Understanding a Perfect Game: Definition and Requirements

A perfect game in baseball is the height of pitching beauty, where a starting pitcher faces 27 opposing batters and retires all of them without permitting a baserunner. Unlike a no-hitter, where a pitcher can allow walks, hit batters, or reach base due to the fielder’s choice or fielding errors, a perfect game in MLB requires absolute accuracy.

According to MLB history, only 33 perfect games were witnessed in major league history, making it a remarkable feat. The baseball game has to last nine innings. Note that weather shortened games don’t count.

If a pitcher maintains perfection but loses in extra innings, the game is not termed to be a perfect game. MLB perfect games record has legendary perfect game pitchers, and Koufax’s perfect game stands out popular.

All through the major league baseball history, both pitchers using the left hand and pitchers using the right hand have achieved this milestone. The most recent perfect game was a moment of brilliance in the modern era, reminding fans why it remains the rarest achievement.

Whether for the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, American League, an MLB perfect game cements a pitcher’s legacy in the baseball hall of fame.

Difference Between No-Hitter and Perfect Game

No-hitters and perfect games are rare pitching achievements, but they have distinct differences. A perfect game in baseball shows the pitcher’s performance is flawless; 27 rival hitters have to be retired in sequence, with no hit by pitches, walks, errors, or any baserunners. In contrast, a no-hitter allows baserunners via errors, walks, or fielder’s choice, as long as no hits are recorded.

Edwin Jackson's hit no-hitter in 2010 for the Arizona Diamondbacks is a well-known example. He gave up eight walks while not allowing a hit, demonstrating that a perfect game pitched is not synonymous with a no-hitter. A single error ruins exact perfection in an Baseball perfect game.

Across MLB games, only 31 formal perfect games were documented, making them far rarer than the four no-hitters thrown in some seasons. The MLB perfect games list features iconic pitchers using the right hand and pitchers using the left hand, each with a name in the baseball hall.

The last ten perfect games show just how hard this feat is. While a no-hitter is an entertaining game in the past, an MLB perfect game is still the pinnacle of pitching dominance, which is baseball’s only perfect game with no exceptions.

History of Perfect Game Concept

One of the most impossible achievements in this sport is the perfect game. It has only occurred 29 times in the contemporary era and is defined by a pitcher's performance in which no rival batter reaches base. All perfect game thrown, from the earliest in Major League Baseball record to the latest, have a unique backstory.

Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs recorded the earliest MLB perfect game on the 12th of June, 1880. John Ward who was with the Providence Grays accomplished the second five days later. These early achievements, however, took place prior to the creation of the current mound and pitching strike zone standards.

The modern perfect game era started in 1904 with Cy Young’s masterpiece for the Boston Americans. He was seen to be one of the greatest MLB pitchers and set the standard for dominance.

Perhaps the most talked about perfect game in major history came in the 1956 World Series when Don Larsen of the New York Yankees hit the sole perfect game in the postseason record. Facing the Brooklyn Dodgers, Larsen delivered perfection on baseball’s biggest stage, cementing his place in the Hall of Fame.

The Golden Age of Perfect Games
In the 1960s, two Hall of Famers—Sandy Koufax and Jim Bunning—added their names to the perfect games record. One of the most outstanding pitching performances ever was Koufax's in 1965, when he painted the boundaries of the strike zone with third strikes all night long.

In the 1980s and 1990s, legends like Randy Johnson & David Cone accomplished the endeavor. Johnson, a left-handed pitcher, made history in 2004 as the oldest hitter to hit a perfect game in MLB. His dominance proved that elite performance has no age limit.

Three perfect games were hit during the historic 2010 season, including clutch throws by Roy Halladay and Dallas Braden. Halladay’s was particularly significant, as he later added a no-hitter in the playoffs, showcasing why he was one of the greatest pitchers using the right hand of his era.

After a long drought, Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees recorded the latest perfect game on the 28th day of June 2023. His flawless outing vs the Oakland Athletics was a reminder that, despite its difficulty, the perfect game in baseball remains one of the sport’s most thrilling achievements.

From first pitcher Lee Richmond to modern stars, thrown perfect games continues to be a defining moment in MLB history. The ultimate test of pitching perfection, whether in the American League or the National League, is a complete game without a single runner.

Perfect Game Statistics and Records

A perfect game in baseball is when a hitter retires the 27 rival hitters without letting any of them get to base. In the account of Major Baseball, there have been twenty-four formal perfect games as of June 2023.

• Fewest Pitches: Addie Joss holds the record for the fewest pitches hit in a perfect game, needing just 74 pitches on the 2nd of October 1908, for the Cleveland Naps versus the ChiSox.
• Most Pitches: While exact pitch counts for perfect games aren't always available, some pitchers have exceeded 100 pitches during their perfect outings, showcasing endurance and precision

Achievements:

• Multiple Perfect Games: The Yanks have more perfect games than any other team.
• Victimized Teams: The Tampa Bay Rays have conceded three perfect games, more than any other team.

Pitcher Handedness:

• Right-Handed Pitchers: The majority of perfect games were hit by pitchers using the right hand.
• Left-Handed Pitchers: Prominent left-handed pitchers like Rand Johnson & Sandy Koufax have also made perfect games, demonstrating that this achievement goes beyond pitching handedness.

Notable Streaks and Gaps:

• Shortest Gap: In 2012, MLB witnessed three perfect games in one season, the highest number in one year.
• Longest Drought: Between 1968 and 1981, there were no perfect games, marking a 13-year gap.

Additional Facts:

• Postseason Perfection: The only playoffs perfect game in MLB history is still Don Larsen's performance in the 5th game in the 1956 World Series.
• Oldest Pitcher: In 2004, Randy Johnson (40 y/o) turned out the oldest pitcher to hit a perfect game.

These figures underscore the difficulty in achieving a perfect game in MLB, reflecting both individual excellence and team effort.

The Modern Challenge of Perfect Games

In today’s baseball game, hitting a perfect game in the MLB has become even more challenging. While there have been four no hitters in some recent seasons, perfect games is still elusive due to evolving strategies in both pitching and hitting.

One key factor is the shift toward power hitting. Modern MLB pitchers face batters who prioritize home runs over contact, making it harder to induce the weak grounders and flyouts essential for a perfect game thrown. Additionally, an increased emphasis on pitch counts and arm health has reduced the frequency of complete games, as managers now rely more on specialized bullpens.

The decline of the traditional starting pitcher role has also contributed to fewer perfect games. In previous eras, a pitcher was expected to go far into games, but today, few are allowed to pitch into the ninth inning. Even a right handed pitcher having a dominant day may be pulled for a reliever due to pitch count concerns.

Despite these challenges, history proves that perfect games can still happen. Whether it’s a first ever pitcher born into greatness or a veteran defying the odds, a hitter and a perfect performance remind us why this is the most difficult thing to achieve in the game in ML history.

What Are the Odds of Throwing a Perfect Game?

A perfect game is the hardest thing to do in a baseball game. With only 24 perfect games officially recorded in over 237,000 MLB games, the odds of a single baseball game resulting in perfection are approximately 0.01%.

To put this into perspective, an entire game without a single runner needs both luck, skill, and flawless defense. A third strike must be executed perfectly each time without permitting any mistakes, walks or hits. The opposing team also plays a role—stronger lineups make achieving perfection even tougher.

in a short span, modern baseball has made perfection more elusive due to strategic bullpen usage and an increased focus on power hitting. Yet, for the only pitcher who achieves it, a perfect game writes their name in the history of the game as one of the sport’s greatest accomplishments.

Conclusion

A complete game is the height of pitching beauty, an achievement that has occurred just 24 times in a game in ML history. Given the difficulty of perfect games, they present exciting opportunities for baseball fans and analysts alike.

For those who enjoy the thrill of predicting the upcoming perfect game, betting platforms offer unique ways to engage with the sport. If you’re looking to explore odds on historical trends or upcoming games, check out PLG Bet for insights and wagering options. The next perfect game might be closer than you think!

FAQs

How many perfect games are there in MLB history?

There have been 24 formal perfect games in MLB history, making it one of the hardest things to achieve in a baseball game.

Has anyone thrown two perfect games?

No pitcher in MLB record has hit twain perfect games. What is a perfect game in baseball? It is an almost impossible feat.

Who had the last perfect game?

The previous perfect game in the record of the MLB was thrown by Domingo Germán on the 28th day of June 2023.