Last updated on November 3rd, 2023 at 08:25 am
A perfect game in baseball is when one or more pitchers pitches a complete game without giving up any hits and not allowing anyone to reach base. The perfect game means no hits or walks, no hit batsmen, no fielding errors that allow a player on base, no uncaught third strikes, and no interference. That means a perfect game is as much as a pitcher’s accomplishment as it is the defense to make every play hit to them.
If a game goes into extra innings, it is still a perfect game if the baserunners do not get onto the first base until the extra innings.
What is the Difference Between a No-Hitter and a Perfect Game in Baseball?
The primary difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game comes down to letting people on base. For example, a pitcher can throw a no-hitter and walk three batters during nine innings. However, a perfect game means that the pitcher, or pitchers, saw 27 batters and retired each of the 27 without successfully reaching base.
Notable pitcher Cy Young pitched three no-hitters over his professional baseball career, only one of which was a perfect game. He pitched his perfect game for the Boston Americans in 1904.
How Rare is a Perfect Game as of 2023?
Perfect games are rare in baseball. There have only been 24 perfect games ever played in Major League Baseball history, and only 22 since the modern era of baseball started in 1901. A combination of several pitchers can throw a perfect game, but to date, every perfect match in the MLB is by a single pitcher.
The most recent perfect game took place on June 28th, 2023 by Domingo German from the New York Yankees against the Oakland Athletics.
Has Anyone Thrown a Perfect Game in a World Series Game?
There has only ever been one perfect game in the World Series. It was thrown by Don Larsen for the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956.
Conclusion: What is a Perfect Game?
In summary, a perfect game in baseball is a rare feat. Not only does the pitcher need to record an out on each batter they face, but the defense can’t make any errors on the field. The pressure that the pitcher and the defense feel during a perfect game is intense, so a perfect game is such a rare accomplishment for a pitcher and team to achieve.
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Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.