Armando Galarraga's imperfect perfect game changed my mind on using replay. I used to be against it, but that call was just so brutal 🤦♂️ We can't have that happen, especially in this era of technology.
I remember watching that game on espn back in its glory days. Even as a youngster that was the moment for me as well that changed my outlook on replay in baseball
And Joyce was supposedly one of the better ones. That safe call just makes absolutely no sense wouldn’t you naturally want to be on the good part of history!?
Not only did that game make me a believer in using replay, I felt strongly that MLB or the Commissioner should rule the game an authentic perfect game. Just reach back and change it, no harm no foul. The next batter made out and in the great scheme of things I felt "what difference does it make?" In the interest of the game MLB should not let this fiasco stand. Now, all these years later, we all remember Gallaraga's name so maybe because of the blown call, this is why we remember him. I am torn up for AG.
@@surgeyibrahimovic5013but y would u ever not want replay. My least favorite thing about any sport is the human element in officiating. I love it with players bc I’m watching the game to watch the players so the human element is great but I don’t want to know the official is there that’s y I want robot umpires a strike is a strike a ball is a ball. And don’t give me the framing is an art argument Ik it’s hard and takes tons of skill as a college catcher I’ve been perfecting it for years but I hate how sometimes a pitch is a ball and others it’s a strike
Nolan just chucked the ball as hard as possible. "Strike out, walk, hit batter, or in play? Don't matter. Just throw hard." No mercy from the original Cowboy.
Germans was so random I can't explain. Struggled all year, threw a perfect game, gave up I think 5 or 6 runs the next game, and then left the season on Alcohol leave
I didn't elaborate much on German because it just happened and his story isn't done yet, but it is an incredibly weird story. Right before he got put on alcohol leave, he also had that game where he got scratched from his start with an armpit injury and then threw five innings out of the bullpen. I felt like I had to tread lightly with him -- addiction/dependency is no joke, and German is kind of a divisive character. But a whirlwind couple of weeks around that perfect game.
I think the explanation is already in your statement and it's sad to say but 'substance abuse' can bring the most blessed of the World, to their knees. So many what if stories. It's so, so sad... Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada.
German was always an enigma to me. He could be nasty one minute and be throwing BP the next. I remember the game against the Red Sox a few years back when he had a no hitter into the 7th and then got rocked. When he was good he was really good and when he wasn’t, he wasn’t. Hope he figures things out personally because I believe it will help him professionally.
If you ever have a chance, I'd highly recommend that everyone listens to the final inning of Vin Scully's broadcast of Koufax's perfecto. It just so perfectly demonstrates everything that made VIn Scully such an all-time broadcaster, and adds so much to the experience of the game that you can't get from reading a box score or play-by-play summary. "There's 29,000 people in the ballpark and a million butterflies." still gives me chills. I'm not a Dodgers fan, I wasn't alive when the game happened (hell, my parents weren't even alive), but when I listen to that broadcast I feel like a Dodgers fan back in 1965 hearing the game live, whether I'm sitting on the couch after a long day at work, with some friends at a bar, or a little kid whose dad let him stay up late to listen to such a historic game. It's more than timeless- it takes the listener back to that early September night in southern California when Sandy Koufax was perfect.
I watched Matt Cain’s perfect game from the first pitch… giants winning it all in 2010 and 2012 as well as Cain’s perfect game is the only 3 times sports have brought actual tears of joy to my face
Nice video, i think a special mention is deserved by Harvey Haddix who has a 12 inning perfect game against the Milwakee Braves in 1953 losing 0-1 in the 13th inning...
I constantly tell people about that and it seems like no one has ever heard of it. Imagine starting a game, throwing 12 perfect innings, and coming away with a loss.
*Haddix also threw only 78 pitches in the first 9 perfect innings (second fewest pitches thrown for a perfect 9 innings), threw only 104 pitches in his 12 perfect innings (which HAS to be the record for fewest pitches thrown in ANY 12 inning game by one pitcher, but I'm not certain), and only had a 115 pitch count for the entire game (12⅔ innings). That's also probably the record for fewest pitches after 12⅔ innings by one pitcher, but again, I'm not certain. No matter what, it's still an all-around incredible performance.*
I'm still pissed about Max Scherzer not getting a perfect game in 2015 because Jose Tabata leaned in. He also was super close to getting back to back no hitters as his previous start vs Milwaukee was a 1 hitter
Milt Pappas deserves a mention… controversially, in ‘72, he was one strike away with a full count and didn’t get the call on a borderline pitch/check swing
So does Harvey Haddix. On May 26, 1959 he threw 12.3 perfect innings for the Pirates but still lost. His opponent, Lew Burdette, also pitched a gem that night. With the score 0-0 in the bottom of the 13th, the Braves won 2-0 on an error, sac fly, intentional walk, and homer (which was later changed to a double). Can you imagine in today's day and age two pitchers both throwing a 13-inning complete game?
BTW for those interested, SI had a great article in 2009 on the 50th anniversary of that game, called "The Greatest Game Ever Pitched", available online at the SI Vault.
David Wells was NOT hungover, he was still a little bit "under the weather" when he pitched. The best part of the lore of his Perfect Game is the fact that during warm ups and the bullpen, legend has it that Wells never once touched the strike zone.. Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre told Joe Torre before the game that Wells "doesn't have it today" And the rest they say, is history.
Good catch. I just watched the video and when said that,,as MontrealmExpos fan. I'm thinking how did someone throw a Perfect game, against a team that didn't even play a game, in their history!! I had to laugh at that one. LOL The funniest thing, you told him 8 days ago! I don't know about you but I would have edited the video, so it didn't reflect poorly on my channel! Btw. Did you land up keeping your ticket Stub? Just curious. Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
I enjoyed your video, Zach. Solid analysis and excellent graphics and your research is impeccable. I just have one observation as an old-time fan: When I was a young kid in the 1960's, a perfect game was REALLY a rarity, right up until the early 1980's. It was still a huge rarity when Len Barker threw his in 1981 after a 13-year hiatus. Don't get me wrong - it's still a huge event and a monumental feat that I respect immensely, with only 22 thrown in the modern MLB era (since 1901). But how do we explain the huge increase after 1990? Expansion? Something with the ball? Better pitchers? I'm too old to try to learn the new-age stats, but I would really like to hear your views. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words. I thought about looking into what you are talking about here while making the video, but realized when looking for patterns that they’re extremely hard to find if they exist at all. I summarized that part in my conclusion, where teams on average who have it happen to them are slightly below average on average, but it has happened on all ends of the spectrum with teams both good and bad. My first theory was that there were more because pitchers got better, and more perfect games have come when there have been higher strikeout rates, but four of the eight perfect games in the 21st century had
A very good video. The only thing that needs to be added is Harvey Haddix's 12 innings of perfection. I also think that it's time that history is rewritten, and Armando Galaraga is credited with a perfect game. It's on video that the call was wrong. The umpire Jim Joyce admitted he called it wrong. No asterisks, just fix the injustice.
Was he on the juice that day? Maybe a bit bigger than usual? I heard there was a code in the game, which took all steroid abuse out of the game. My friend played a full season like that and at the end, Bonds won the Home Run race, with 17 homers. Next was Larry Walker, playing in Colorado. He had 13!!?!! Crazy!
10:30 I'm not 100% sure but Perfect games were not called 'Perfectos' before Dennis Martinez got his, against the Dodgers. Dennis Martinez's nickname was, 'El Presidenté' This stemmed from his Nicaraguan heritage. The commentator for Dennis' Perfect game, was the legendary, Dave Van Horne! Voice of the Expos from the lrime I started watching in the mid 80's, up until their final years. His call, when out #27 was recorded was, El Presidenté, El Perfecto After that, is when I remember other people using the term. But don't quote me on it :) Salut from Montreal Quebec Canada
Interesting overview. It is kind of sad that Tom Browning was glossed over. Sure, his ERA+ was only 97 and his bWAR was low, but he is one of only seven pitchers with a perfect game, a 20-win season, and a World Series title, joining Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Jim Hunter, the two Davids, and Randy Johnson. Plus he's the only perfect game pitcher to sit among the rooftop fans at Wrigley Field. RIP (1960-2022).
Yeah, Browning was an interesting story. And That’s Baseball went in depth on him in his last video and did a great job with it if you want to see a good breakdown on him. A part of me wishes I gave more on those three in the 80s, but they were all in a middle area where they weren’t bad enough to be extremely notable or surprising (Robertson, Humber, Braden) but also weren’t good enough to stack up next to the other aces in the video. Aside from them, the only other pitchers in the video between 10 and 25 bWAR were Lee Richmond and Don Larsen, who were both very notable for being the first perfect game and being the only perfect game in the World Series or Postseason. RIP Tom Browning
Baseball is willing to retroactively go back and change or add things so why can't or won't they credit Galarraga for his perfect game? That was his moment, his one and only moment in baseball and it was taken. I do love the part about the professor telling him a curve ball is physically impossible. That was the 1880's where they were no where near the arrival of the plane so clearly knowing haw things react in the air wasn't a thing yet. It's stuff like that that are why I think it's crazy when people try and compare players from vastly different eras. You hear it all the time "Who was better?" "What if Babe Ruth played now?" Things from long ago are exaggerated. A player like the Babe would by no means be the same player. The pitch would have been by him before he knew it was thrown. Hitters back then and before were facing pitchers who after the game likely had to get to their real job. These were guys where if one had a 90mph fastball they were lights out
Perfect gamers aren’t always HOFers and there is a good reason. A perfect game is special moment of talent, focus, and gameplay that results in the notch. What is consistent of this club is their potential to dominate and crush batters. This is the point of a perfect game, like those batters who hit the cycle, but more challenging.
So...why no coverage of Gregor Blanco's 7th inning all-out sprint over-the-shoulder diving catch in right-center that preserved Cain's perfecto? It was an astonishing play that should rank in the top ten in history. It was greater than Mays' in my opinion. It gives me chills every time I watch it.
Then there's the saddest club 26/27 perfect, like Dave Stieb shortly after losing no-hitters with 2 out, 2 strikes in the 9th in back to back starts to finish the previous season. And then, that poor pitcher that lost a perfect game in the 12th inning...
Then Scherzer lost a perfect game in 2015 on the last out when the batter leaned into the pitch and got hit, still got the no-hitter but what could have been I think about a lot
@@dukedematteo1995 It doesn't help Stieb/Cone/Saberhagen/Brown that they pitched during the same period as Clemens/Glavine/Maddux/etc but on the other hand the BBWAA elected Jack Morris who wasn't nearly as good as they were outside of 1 game in 1991.
El Presidente El Perfecto Please bring back the Expos! BTM I still have that game on Beta VCR Cassette ;) Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada. Bonjour, et Salut mes amis!
Through 6 innings in Koufax perfect game Bob Hendley the Cub hurler threw 6 perfect innings. He ended the game with one run ( un earned ) one hit and one walk.
9:22 Oh Oh! lol I just spent 30 minutes , with my Pièce de Résistance message and then 2 minuts later, you do my Expos dirty, by claiming they were no hit, no runned, while never having even played a game yet! Catfish Hunter's No-No, was against the twins, 4-0. The Expos played their entire history in the National league, while I beleive The Oakland A's were in the A.L. during the entire Expos history 1969-2004. Correcting the last one was pedantic. This error has to be pointed out but I still feel bad about :( Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada Merci Beaucoup (In my last message, the auto control screwed me on the spelling. lol
I’ve gotten a few comments telling me about this one. I don’t know what happened to make me miss on this one, I must’ve seen a “MIN” and read it as “MON” in the abbreviations. Big goof on my part
A few fun facts and observations: 1. Jim Bunning went on to be a US Senator representing Kentucky. 2. Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix had the greatest non-perfect perfect game of all time when he carried his perfect game into the 14th inning--a game he ultimately lost. 3. Several other perfect games all had a Dwayne Wise defensive gem informally "saving" it. Rusty Greer had a fantastic catch to preserve Kenny Rogers', ditto Mickey Mantle during Don Larsens'. 4. David Wells says he threw his perfect game, depending on the story, either still a little drunk or a lot hungover. However, he didn't tell anyone about this publically until it was time to write his otherwise boring and forgettable memoir. This has always made the whole story suspect to me. He never bothered to mention the story about alcohol until, well, right around the time Doc Ellis claimed he threw his No-Hitter on LSD in his memoir. You can decide for yourselves, but I think that is a ludicrous tale that I've never heard anyone independently corroborate and was just the kind of bullet point you usually got in an athlete memoir of the early 2000s ("For only $19.95, I'll give you an inside look at the Yankee Clubhouse and even tell you about that time I was...wait for it...drunk"!!) I like Wells, but it was just the type of PG-13 story we used to expect from athletes who needed to pay off a divorce or three because they blew all their career earnings.
Some good stuff here. The Wells story is interesting -- I figured it was worth telling, because he has told the story and Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers have publicly talked about partying with Wells. There are definitely parts of it that don't add up, though, like the fact that it was supposed to be a Saturday Night Live afterparty and neither Myers nor Fallon was a member of the cast in May of 1998. I think it was worth a mention, but there are some question marks for sure.
I was in attendance for Terry Mullholand’s no hitter. Would have been a perfect game if not for a Charlie Hayes error in which the next batter hit into a DP. Still finished only facing 27 batters.
Harvey Haddix deserves at least a mention for throwing 12 perfect innings-he gave up a hit and ended up losing but 27 hitters came up and were retired. then 9 more hitters came up and sat down. then in he unlucky 13th well it didn't work out. I think it was in '69 Haddix pitched for Pittsburg and the game was against Milwaukee- I believe. (I didn't look it up_) I always thought it was a bum deal.
I think Pedro Martinez and Harvey Haddix need to be mentioned also. They’re the two pitchers to be perfect for the first 9 innings of an extra inning game. Check out the song Harvey Haddix by The Baseball Project
Great video. And I am a die hard Ryan fan. But he did have his...faults...so I can understand him not pulling out a perfect game. But something that will always blow my mind. HTF he never won a cy young!!? Witn a career that long and his dominance throughout a lot of it. Not all of it. But I damn sure believe he should have gotten atleast 1 out of the many he played. Imo
Baseball Historian had a great video on this. There were a few seasons where Ryan had a really good case for it, but he kept losing out because of his circumstances, like Fernando Valenzuela's Fernandomania in 1981 or a losing record when wins were king in 1987 (8-16 with a league-leading ERA!!!).
It's a good point but I think you could take me out of the possible. I just had Tommy John and it doesn't feel like it should happen. It's sad, I know, but as time goes, what can you do. Take care.
9:20 Hunter’s perfect game wasn’t against the Expos. Expos were in the NL and A’s were and are still in the AL. Regular season inter-league play didn’t begin until 1997. I think the confusion comes from it being thrown against the Minnesota Twins, who were formally the Washington Senators. That, combined with the Expos later becoming the Washington Nationals, probably threw you off
20 K games are more impressive. Its less lucked based. Unit's perfect game in 2004 was against a Brave lineup with a ton of subs playing. You usually need to strike out at least 7 to 12 batters for a perfecto so your BABIP luck doesnt have to be too amazing.
Give Armando Gallaraga his due. I am a lifelong Indians/Guardians fan, but was was just lights out that day. We got nothing going against him, nada. A travesty.
Got to see Matt Cains perfect game, would give up the day I lost my virginity if I had to choose between the two. One of the best memories of my life and my best memory with my grandma
The Galaraga blown call is the worst in history. I remember watching the Matt Cain game- it’s hard to believe that the Astros once had a pitcher friendly offense.
8:00 Are you the type of person who, like me, wants to be told when I make a mistake, so I can learn about it right away and never make the mistake again? I hope so because the pièce, in 'Pièce de résistance', is.... 'Juuust a bit outside' ;) I hope you're cool with me telling you. I'm don't want you to think I'm being pedantic. I really enjoy your content and I don't want to be 'blacklisted' or blocked. I'm just an old school Expos fan, from Montreal Quebec Canada and I was hoping to help out. Speaking English as a second language. I know it's frutratuing and I make a lot of mistakes. I just opened a 2nd window and if you type the word in to google, there is a place to press a button and you can here someone say the word, or phrase. The best way I can teach it, is silly but I'll try to type it phonetically. Okay, so this is just the first word, Pièce. The other 2, you got down very well! I would spell the sound as, pea-yess. That's Quebec French and essentially the same as French from France. I hope that helps and that I don't ruffle any big bird feathers. Wasn't 'Big Bird' a nickname for a pitcher in the 70's? I'm trying to remember, without looking it up....was it Mike Fiderytch?? I know my spelling is off. Lol So that's my final no, it's Mark! Mark Fidrych. I'll check after but right ot wrong,mI w/o by Chang my answer :) Please let me know if you have any questions. If not, keep up the great work and I'll tell other people to visit your channel! Merci Beaucoup
Ah! I thought I had that one. Tried checking it and everything - I don’t speak any French at all, I just thought it was a good phrase for the situation. Fidrych is the guy you’re looking for, you can even find pictures of him with Big Bird on Google. Thanks for commenting, and I’ll try to be better with your language next time!
The French people I spoke to say French Canadians sound like English/American people who learn French in school. In other words they have a very strong English accent to their French.
Catfish Hunter threw a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins, not the Montreal Expos. Montreal didn't join the National League until the following year (1969). And since Len Barker's perfect game against Toronto in 1981, Cleveland hasn't had a no hitter pitched for them since.
The Hunter line was a pretty bad goof from me. There being zero no hitters in 43 years for a franchise is a pretty impressively long time (it’s the longest active streak). Great trivia piece from you on that one
@@zachr26 Up until Jim Bunning's perfect game against the Mets in 1964, the hadn't had a no hitter pitched for them since Johnny Lush no hit the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1906, a span of 58 years, so Cleveland still has a ways to go.
Yeah, it’s the longest streak that is still active, but they have to keep it going for the rest of this season and about thirteen more after that to reach the 1906-64 Phillies run. Insanely impressive for the Phillies to make it almost 60 years without a no hitter.
Babe Ruth and Cy Young are the Greatest players of all time. Babe the greatest hitter. Young the greatest pitcher. Stats don’t lie and their stats prove they’re the best.
Cy Young is not the greatest pitcher ever. He retired before the Titanic sank for Christ's sake. Boundary HRs weren't a thing yet, neither were sliders, split fingers/fork or cutters. And he threw about 82 mph. BTW Ever see Cy Young's body? An imposing athletic figure he was not. Ultimate Dadbod.
Hmmmmmm…. Almost all HOF boys, EXCEPT for playoff perfectos? One might conclude this stat is so hallowed, the league protects it at all costs, eh? 🤔 Lol Sun realllllly high in the sky with this group too
Um, for throwing maybe the most famous perfect game in world series history.... Well, there is only one perfect game in world series history, so there's no maybe about it, and no doubt that it's the most famous. That statement is as mediocre as Larson's career, not well thought out at all.
@@zachr26 You should do a Video about him. He was also behind the plate for Kirk Gibsons iconic Home Run in the world series. Almost ended that game with a pick off at first too. He also help Bob Welsh win 27 games and a Cy Young.
@@Pocketrocket-pj1us Did you say 27? Fun Fact - The number 27 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a synergy unlike anything known. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the 27th NFL Franchise. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire the first head coach (John McKay) who had 27 year of Head Coaching Experience when hired. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started off 0-26, in their 27th Game they won for the First Time. Making them 1-26 after 27 games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl in their 27th season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first NFC Championship by scoring 27 points. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl by beating the Oakland Raiders by 27 Points. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl on January 26th, 1-26, their record after 27 games in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their Second Super Bowl on February 7th, 2/7
Armando Galarraga's imperfect perfect game changed my mind on using replay. I used to be against it, but that call was just so brutal 🤦♂️ We can't have that happen, especially in this era of technology.
I remember watching that game on espn back in its glory days. Even as a youngster that was the moment for me as well that changed my outlook on replay in baseball
And Joyce was supposedly one of the better ones. That safe call just makes absolutely no sense wouldn’t you naturally want to be on the good part of history!?
Not only did that game make me a believer in using replay, I felt strongly that MLB or the Commissioner should rule the game an authentic perfect game.
Just reach back and change it, no harm no foul.
The next batter made out and in the great scheme of things I felt "what difference does it make?"
In the interest of the game MLB should not let this fiasco stand.
Now, all these years later, we all remember Gallaraga's name so maybe because of the blown call, this is why we remember him.
I am torn up for AG.
@@surgeyibrahimovic5013but y would u ever not want replay. My least favorite thing about any sport is the human element in officiating. I love it with players bc I’m watching the game to watch the players so the human element is great but I don’t want to know the official is there that’s y I want robot umpires a strike is a strike a ball is a ball. And don’t give me the framing is an art argument Ik it’s hard and takes tons of skill as a college catcher I’ve been perfecting it for years but I hate how sometimes a pitch is a ball and others it’s a strike
I agree and can only respond with my Credo,
I Love Baseball
I Hate M.L.B.
Steve from (We used to have a team) Montreal!
Cheers
Why are people shocked that Nolan Ryan never threw one??? Look at his walk totals during his career.😮
he had more no hit games than no walk games
Yeah lol
No Cy Young either...
Nolan never gave in. If it’s a ball, and a walk, so be it. He’ll just strikeout the next guy.
Nolan just chucked the ball as hard as possible.
"Strike out, walk, hit batter, or in play? Don't matter. Just throw hard."
No mercy from the original Cowboy.
Galarraga's game deserves an asterisk.
This was an exceptional video.
Germans was so random I can't explain. Struggled all year, threw a perfect game, gave up I think 5 or 6 runs the next game, and then left the season on Alcohol leave
It was against the terrible A's. It wasn't THAT random
I didn't elaborate much on German because it just happened and his story isn't done yet, but it is an incredibly weird story. Right before he got put on alcohol leave, he also had that game where he got scratched from his start with an armpit injury and then threw five innings out of the bullpen. I felt like I had to tread lightly with him -- addiction/dependency is no joke, and German is kind of a divisive character. But a whirlwind couple of weeks around that perfect game.
I think the explanation is already in your statement and it's sad to say but 'substance abuse' can bring the most blessed of the World, to their knees.
So many what if stories.
It's so, so sad...
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada.
German was always an enigma to me. He could be nasty one minute and be throwing BP the next. I remember the game against the Red Sox a few years back when he had a no hitter into the 7th and then got rocked. When he was good he was really good and when he wasn’t, he wasn’t. Hope he figures things out personally because I believe it will help him professionally.
The absolute psychosis of baseball
If you ever have a chance, I'd highly recommend that everyone listens to the final inning of Vin Scully's broadcast of Koufax's perfecto. It just so perfectly demonstrates everything that made VIn Scully such an all-time broadcaster, and adds so much to the experience of the game that you can't get from reading a box score or play-by-play summary. "There's 29,000 people in the ballpark and a million butterflies." still gives me chills. I'm not a Dodgers fan, I wasn't alive when the game happened (hell, my parents weren't even alive), but when I listen to that broadcast I feel like a Dodgers fan back in 1965 hearing the game live, whether I'm sitting on the couch after a long day at work, with some friends at a bar, or a little kid whose dad let him stay up late to listen to such a historic game. It's more than timeless- it takes the listener back to that early September night in southern California when Sandy Koufax was perfect.
I second this recommendation. An absolute masterclass by Scully. Beautiful.
My mom had the privilege of being at that game at the age of 12. Her older brother insisted they had to see him play and then it happened.
I watched Matt Cain’s perfect game from the first pitch… giants winning it all in 2010 and 2012 as well as Cain’s perfect game is the only 3 times sports have brought actual tears of joy to my face
What about 2014?
Thank Gregor Blanco...
Nice video, i think a special mention is deserved by Harvey Haddix who has a 12 inning perfect game against the Milwakee Braves in 1953 losing 0-1 in the 13th inning...
I constantly tell people about that and it seems like no one has ever heard of it. Imagine starting a game, throwing 12 perfect innings, and coming away with a loss.
*Haddix also threw only 78 pitches in the first 9 perfect innings (second fewest pitches thrown for a perfect 9 innings), threw only 104 pitches in his 12 perfect innings (which HAS to be the record for fewest pitches thrown in ANY 12 inning game by one pitcher, but I'm not certain), and only had a 115 pitch count for the entire game (12⅔ innings). That's also probably the record for fewest pitches after 12⅔ innings by one pitcher, but again, I'm not certain. No matter what, it's still an all-around incredible performance.*
I'm still pissed about Max Scherzer not getting a perfect game in 2015 because Jose Tabata leaned in. He also was super close to getting back to back no hitters as his previous start vs Milwaukee was a 1 hitter
Milt Pappas deserves a mention… controversially, in ‘72, he was one strike away with a full count and didn’t get the call on a borderline pitch/check swing
So does Harvey Haddix. On May 26, 1959 he threw 12.3 perfect innings for the Pirates but still lost. His opponent, Lew Burdette, also pitched a gem that night. With the score 0-0 in the bottom of the 13th, the Braves won 2-0 on an error, sac fly, intentional walk, and homer (which was later changed to a double).
Can you imagine in today's day and age two pitchers both throwing a 13-inning complete game?
BTW for those interested, SI had a great article in 2009 on the 50th anniversary of that game, called "The Greatest Game Ever Pitched", available online at the SI Vault.
That graph is so sexy I could barely even wait until the end of the video to spend some alone time with it
Solid video ! Great analysis
Great vid man, this is the way I wish basically all sports videos of this type were presented
I'll never understand why MLB didn't change that call after the fact
Give Galarraga his fucking perfect game! Idk who makes that decision but it needs to be made
Yes, it can easily be done. Call the second to last batter out, void the last AB. End of story.
Give him a retroactive perfect game.
9:23 catfish hunters perfect game was against the twins not the expos
Your right bro the helmet even looked like twins but what can you expect when everyone is letting computers do there commentary now
David Wells was NOT hungover, he was still a little bit "under the weather" when he pitched.
The best part of the lore of his Perfect Game is the fact that during warm ups and the bullpen, legend has it that Wells never once touched the strike zone..
Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre told Joe Torre before the game that Wells "doesn't have it today"
And the rest they say, is history.
Awesome video! Never knew Monte Ward was a two way player
Awesome video. Did you know… Lee Richmond’s perfecto featured a 9-3 putout
Thanks! That’s a great fact too. Richmond’s game has a ton of interesting stuff attached to it for sure
1880. Baseball is wild. Same uniforms and shit to this day.
Must have been a slow runner to get thrown out at firstbase by the right fielder.
Or, a combination of that and a great RF. Like Larry Walker, or Vladimir Guerrero, here in Montreal.
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
proud that I instantly knew who the 0.9 WAR was... always stuck out to me as the most random perfecto ever. sweet video.
Catfish Hunter's perfect game was against the twins. I was there
Good catch. I just watched the video and when said that,,as MontrealmExpos fan. I'm thinking how did someone throw a Perfect game, against a team that didn't even play a game, in their history!! I had to laugh at that one. LOL
The funniest thing, you told him 8 days ago!
I don't know about you but I would have edited the video, so it didn't reflect poorly on my channel!
Btw. Did you land up keeping your ticket Stub?
Just curious.
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
I enjoyed your video, Zach. Solid analysis and excellent graphics and your research is impeccable. I just have one observation as an old-time fan: When I was a young kid in the 1960's, a perfect game was REALLY a rarity, right up until the early 1980's. It was still a huge rarity when Len Barker threw his in 1981 after a 13-year hiatus. Don't get me wrong - it's still a huge event and a monumental feat that I respect immensely, with only 22 thrown in the modern MLB era (since 1901). But how do we explain the huge increase after 1990? Expansion? Something with the ball? Better pitchers? I'm too old to try to learn the new-age stats, but I would really like to hear your views. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words. I thought about looking into what you are talking about here while making the video, but realized when looking for patterns that they’re extremely hard to find if they exist at all. I summarized that part in my conclusion, where teams on average who have it happen to them are slightly below average on average, but it has happened on all ends of the spectrum with teams both good and bad. My first theory was that there were more because pitchers got better, and more perfect games have come when there have been higher strikeout rates, but four of the eight perfect games in the 21st century had
A very good video. The only thing that needs to be added is Harvey Haddix's 12 innings of perfection.
I also think that it's time that history is rewritten, and Armando Galaraga is credited with a perfect game. It's on video that the call was wrong. The umpire Jim Joyce admitted he called it wrong. No asterisks, just fix the injustice.
The only 28 out perfect game 😀
My most proudest video game accomplishment was throwing an opening day perfect game with Roger Clemens it was on a triple play baseball on ps2
Was he on the juice that day? Maybe a bit bigger than usual?
I heard there was a code in the game, which took all steroid abuse out of the game.
My friend played a full season like that and at the end, Bonds won the Home Run race, with 17 homers. Next was Larry Walker, playing in Colorado. He had 13!!?!!
Crazy!
Great video, good job !
Liked and subbed !
10:30
I'm not 100% sure but Perfect games were not called 'Perfectos' before
Dennis Martinez got his, against the Dodgers.
Dennis Martinez's nickname was,
'El Presidenté'
This stemmed from his Nicaraguan heritage.
The commentator for Dennis' Perfect game, was the legendary, Dave Van Horne! Voice of the Expos from the lrime I started watching in the mid 80's, up until their final years.
His call, when out #27 was recorded was,
El Presidenté, El Perfecto
After that, is when I remember other people using the term. But don't quote me on it :)
Salut from Montreal Quebec Canada
El Presidente is the most criminally undervalued pitcher, ever...
Very durable for a very long time! Also my parents attended his perfect game so that's always made me like him even more.
Awesome of you for saying that. I met the man and We talked baseball a few times.
Really cool, down to earth guy!
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
Galarraga’s should count as one even if the umpire messed up. 26 outs, 1 unofficially out , but out.
you're right Don Larsen did pitch "maybe the most perfect game in world series history"
Interesting overview. It is kind of sad that Tom Browning was glossed over. Sure, his ERA+ was only 97 and his bWAR was low, but he is one of only seven pitchers with a perfect game, a 20-win season, and a World Series title, joining Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Jim Hunter, the two Davids, and Randy Johnson. Plus he's the only perfect game pitcher to sit among the rooftop fans at Wrigley Field. RIP (1960-2022).
Yeah, Browning was an interesting story. And That’s Baseball went in depth on him in his last video and did a great job with it if you want to see a good breakdown on him. A part of me wishes I gave more on those three in the 80s, but they were all in a middle area where they weren’t bad enough to be extremely notable or surprising (Robertson, Humber, Braden) but also weren’t good enough to stack up next to the other aces in the video. Aside from them, the only other pitchers in the video between 10 and 25 bWAR were Lee Richmond and Don Larsen, who were both very notable for being the first perfect game and being the only perfect game in the World Series or Postseason. RIP Tom Browning
My heart broke when i saw that tigers pitcher got robbed
I was at Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game. I don't think I've ever heard that place louder than when Dewayne Wise made that catch. It was awesome
Unbelievable play. Watched that live ..I was jumping around my living room, and I'm not even a ChiSox fan.
Baseball is willing to retroactively go back and change or add things so why can't or won't they credit Galarraga for his perfect game? That was his moment, his one and only moment in baseball and it was taken.
I do love the part about the professor telling him a curve ball is physically impossible. That was the 1880's where they were no where near the arrival of the plane so clearly knowing haw things react in the air wasn't a thing yet. It's stuff like that that are why I think it's crazy when people try and compare players from vastly different eras. You hear it all the time "Who was better?" "What if Babe Ruth played now?" Things from long ago are exaggerated. A player like the Babe would by no means be the same player. The pitch would have been by him before he knew it was thrown. Hitters back then and before were facing pitchers who after the game likely had to get to their real job. These were guys where if one had a 90mph fastball they were lights out
Great video!
Catfish Hunter's perfect game was against the Twins, not the Expos. They were in the NL and did not even exist yet.
Good job picking up on that! ,I just watched it and I'm starting to wonder when hasn't changed it yet.
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
Perfect gamers aren’t always HOFers and there is a good reason. A perfect game is special moment of talent, focus, and gameplay that results in the notch. What is consistent of this club is their potential to dominate and crush batters. This is the point of a perfect game, like those batters who hit the cycle, but more challenging.
Throwing a perfect game hungover is wild work 😂😂😂😂
So...why no coverage of Gregor Blanco's 7th inning all-out sprint over-the-shoulder diving catch in right-center that preserved Cain's perfecto? It was an astonishing play that should rank in the top ten in history. It was greater than Mays' in my opinion. It gives me chills every time I watch it.
The most shocking fact in this video is Cy Young's career WAR. That's superhuman!
13:35 “Everyones favorite speedrunner” 😂😂
Lenny Barker's perfecto deserved the in-depth treatment. It's STILL the most recent no-hitter that Cleveland has logged.
Then there's the saddest club 26/27 perfect, like Dave Stieb shortly after losing no-hitters with 2 out, 2 strikes in the 9th in back to back starts to finish the previous season. And then, that poor pitcher that lost a perfect game in the 12th inning...
Then Scherzer lost a perfect game in 2015 on the last out when the batter leaned into the pitch and got hit, still got the no-hitter but what could have been I think about a lot
It's insane that David Cone isn't in the hall of fame.
He probably be one if he didn't play in the era he played. That era had the greatest starting pitching crop ever, by far.
@@dukedematteo1995 It doesn't help Stieb/Cone/Saberhagen/Brown that they pitched during the same period as Clemens/Glavine/Maddux/etc but on the other hand the BBWAA elected Jack Morris who wasn't nearly as good as they were outside of 1 game in 1991.
El Presidente
El Perfecto
Please bring back the Expos!
BTM I still have that game on Beta VCR
Cassette ;)
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada.
Bonjour, et Salut mes amis!
Fantastic topic or a baseball vid
Will never see one again. Be lucky to see a pitcher go 7 innings at all this year
We just got another no hitter so it's definitely possible and probably will happen again
Through 6 innings in Koufax perfect game Bob Hendley the Cub hurler threw 6 perfect innings. He ended the game with one run ( un earned ) one hit and one walk.
Damn this only has 16 likes so underated
It's interesting the league that had the DH had the most Perfect Games. You'd think the automatic out of the pitcher hitting would help NL pitchers
Not mentioning Gregor Blanco’s catch in Cain’s perfect game is crazy
I got to witness the Joe Musgrove no hitter on April 9th 2021 in Arlington. TX
9:22 Oh Oh! lol
I just spent 30 minutes , with my Pièce de Résistance message and then 2 minuts later, you do my Expos dirty, by claiming they were no hit, no runned, while never having even played a game yet!
Catfish Hunter's No-No, was against the twins, 4-0. The Expos played their entire history in the National league, while I beleive The Oakland A's were in the A.L. during the entire Expos history 1969-2004.
Correcting the last one was pedantic.
This error has to be pointed out but I still feel bad about :(
Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada
Merci Beaucoup (In my last message, the auto control screwed me on the spelling. lol
I’ve gotten a few comments telling me about this one. I don’t know what happened to make me miss on this one, I must’ve seen a “MIN” and read it as “MON” in the abbreviations. Big goof on my part
A few fun facts and observations:
1. Jim Bunning went on to be a US Senator representing Kentucky.
2. Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix had the greatest non-perfect perfect game of all time when he carried his perfect game into the 14th inning--a game he ultimately lost.
3. Several other perfect games all had a Dwayne Wise defensive gem informally "saving" it. Rusty Greer had a fantastic catch to preserve Kenny Rogers', ditto Mickey Mantle during Don Larsens'.
4. David Wells says he threw his perfect game, depending on the story, either still a little drunk or a lot hungover. However, he didn't tell anyone about this publically until it was time to write his otherwise boring and forgettable memoir. This has always made the whole story suspect to me. He never bothered to mention the story about alcohol until, well, right around the time Doc Ellis claimed he threw his No-Hitter on LSD in his memoir. You can decide for yourselves, but I think that is a ludicrous tale that I've never heard anyone independently corroborate and was just the kind of bullet point you usually got in an athlete memoir of the early 2000s ("For only $19.95, I'll give you an inside look at the Yankee Clubhouse and even tell you about that time I was...wait for it...drunk"!!) I like Wells, but it was just the type of PG-13 story we used to expect from athletes who needed to pay off a divorce or three because they blew all their career earnings.
Some good stuff here. The Wells story is interesting -- I figured it was worth telling, because he has told the story and Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers have publicly talked about partying with Wells. There are definitely parts of it that don't add up, though, like the fact that it was supposed to be a Saturday Night Live afterparty and neither Myers nor Fallon was a member of the cast in May of 1998. I think it was worth a mention, but there are some question marks for sure.
I was in attendance for Terry Mullholand’s no hitter. Would have been a perfect game if not for a Charlie Hayes error in which the next batter hit into a DP. Still finished only facing 27 batters.
The big unit is my favourite baseball player of all time.
Harvey Haddix deserves at least a mention for throwing 12 perfect innings-he gave up a hit and ended up losing but 27 hitters came up and were retired. then 9 more hitters came up and sat down. then in he unlucky 13th well it didn't work out. I think it was in '69 Haddix pitched for Pittsburg and the game was against Milwaukee- I believe. (I didn't look it up_) I always thought it was a bum deal.
It would be interesting to see Randy Johnson squaring off against Sandy Koufax.
I think Pedro Martinez and Harvey Haddix need to be mentioned also. They’re the two pitchers to be perfect for the first 9 innings of an extra inning game. Check out the song Harvey Haddix by The Baseball Project
Armando got robbed....we all know he pitched a perfect game. I feel like a lot of other pitchers wouldn't have handled that nearly as well either.
Great video. And I am a die hard Ryan fan. But he did have his...faults...so I can understand him not pulling out a perfect game. But something that will always blow my mind. HTF he never won a cy young!!? Witn a career that long and his dominance throughout a lot of it. Not all of it. But I damn sure believe he should have gotten atleast 1 out of the many he played. Imo
Baseball Historian had a great video on this. There were a few seasons where Ryan had a really good case for it, but he kept losing out because of his circumstances, like Fernando Valenzuela's Fernandomania in 1981 or a losing record when wins were king in 1987 (8-16 with a league-leading ERA!!!).
David Cone’s perfect game remains today as the only interleague perfect game
Who will join the club next? Honestly, it could be anyone, that is the crazy part!
It's a good point but I think you could take me out of the possible.
I just had Tommy John and it doesn't feel like it should happen.
It's sad, I know, but as time goes, what can you do.
Take care.
Great video besides the over use of WAR - dumbest stat in all of sports
9:20 Hunter’s perfect game wasn’t against the Expos. Expos were in the NL and A’s were and are still in the AL. Regular season inter-league play didn’t begin until 1997. I think the confusion comes from it being thrown against the Minnesota Twins, who were formally the Washington Senators. That, combined with the Expos later becoming the Washington Nationals, probably threw you off
One interesting fact about Bunnings Perfect Game is that it is the only one thrown on Fathers Day.
Welcome to the club, Domingo!
I totally forgot that Domingo German had the most recent perfect game lol. STILL thought it was King Felix.
Billy Chapel’s perfect game was legendary
Ok boys ...
(In their prime)
Ryan vs Halladay
Gibson vs Big Unit
Kofax vs Maddux
Scherzer vs Verlander
Ryan
Gibson
Koufax
Verlander
Ryan
Johnson
Kofax
Verlander
Pedro
Ernie Shore rules the universe!
20 K games are more impressive. Its less lucked based.
Unit's perfect game in 2004 was against a Brave lineup with a ton of subs playing.
You usually need to strike out at least 7 to 12 batters for a perfecto so your BABIP luck doesnt have to be too amazing.
El Presidente, El Perfecto
It's so ridiculous Galarragas PG isn't considered with the others
Buerhle is a hall of famer
8:48 Nope,
The greatest game ever pitched was on May 26, 1959 Harvey Haddix pitched 12 perfect innings.
Tom Browning was a character
Give Armando Gallaraga his due. I am a lifelong Indians/Guardians fan, but was was just lights out that day. We got nothing going against him, nada. A travesty.
Ryan threw a legit nasty 12-6 later in his career...
ummm Tom Browning was dope idk what your talking about w that one
Got to see Matt Cains perfect game, would give up the day I lost my virginity if I had to choose between the two. One of the best memories of my life and my best memory with my grandma
5:55, i mean, i dont think thats a maybe, considering theres not many options to pick from lol
Yeah…that one was supposed to say “most famous perfect game in history” and I goofed it. Good catch
Armando Galaragas perfect game is more famous because of the blown call at the end.
I think it's more amazing because it's not actually a Perfect game.
The Galaraga blown call is the worst in history. I remember watching the Matt Cain game- it’s hard to believe that the Astros once had a pitcher friendly offense.
8:00
Are you the type of person who, like me, wants to be told when I make a mistake, so I can learn about it right away and never make the mistake again?
I hope so because the pièce, in 'Pièce de résistance', is....
'Juuust a bit outside' ;)
I hope you're cool with me telling you. I'm don't want you to think I'm being pedantic. I really enjoy your content and I don't want to be 'blacklisted' or blocked.
I'm just an old school Expos fan, from Montreal Quebec Canada and I was hoping to help out.
Speaking English as a second language. I know it's frutratuing and I make a lot of mistakes.
I just opened a 2nd window and if you type the word in to google, there is a place to press a button and you can here someone say the word, or phrase.
The best way I can teach it, is silly but I'll try to type it phonetically.
Okay, so this is just the first word, Pièce.
The other 2, you got down very well!
I would spell the sound as, pea-yess. That's Quebec French and essentially the same as French from France.
I hope that helps and that I don't ruffle any big bird feathers. Wasn't 'Big Bird' a nickname for a pitcher in the 70's? I'm trying to remember, without looking it up....was it Mike Fiderytch?? I know my spelling is off. Lol
So that's my final no, it's Mark! Mark Fidrych. I'll check after but right ot wrong,mI w/o by Chang my answer :)
Please let me know if you have any questions. If not, keep up the great work and I'll tell other people to visit your channel!
Merci Beaucoup
Ah! I thought I had that one. Tried checking it and everything - I don’t speak any French at all, I just thought it was a good phrase for the situation. Fidrych is the guy you’re looking for, you can even find pictures of him with Big Bird on Google. Thanks for commenting, and I’ll try to be better with your language next time!
The French people I spoke to say French Canadians sound like English/American people who learn French in school.
In other words they have a very strong English accent to their French.
I say Chris Flexen throws the next perfect game
Catfish Hunter’s perfect game was against the Minnesota Twins, not the Montreal Expos.
It's too bad that day David Wells didn't face Wade Boggs after a plane flight.
Browning almost threw three of them. He took two others into the 7th inning. He's also the last rookie to win 20 games.....
Catfish Hunter threw a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins, not the Montreal Expos. Montreal didn't join the National League until the following year (1969). And since Len Barker's perfect game against Toronto in 1981, Cleveland hasn't had a no hitter pitched for them since.
The Hunter line was a pretty bad goof from me. There being zero no hitters in 43 years for a franchise is a pretty impressively long time (it’s the longest active streak). Great trivia piece from you on that one
@@zachr26 Up until Jim Bunning's perfect game against the Mets in 1964, the hadn't had a no hitter pitched for them since Johnny Lush no hit the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1906, a span of 58 years, so Cleveland still has a ways to go.
@@zachr26 The Phillies, that is.
Yeah, it’s the longest streak that is still active, but they have to keep it going for the rest of this season and about thirteen more after that to reach the 1906-64 Phillies run. Insanely impressive for the Phillies to make it almost 60 years without a no hitter.
Babe Ruth and Cy Young are the Greatest players of all time. Babe the greatest hitter. Young the greatest pitcher. Stats don’t lie and their stats prove they’re the best.
Cy Young is not the greatest pitcher ever. He retired before the Titanic sank for Christ's sake. Boundary HRs weren't a thing yet, neither were sliders, split fingers/fork or cutters. And he threw about 82 mph.
BTW Ever see Cy Young's body? An imposing athletic figure he was not. Ultimate Dadbod.
Ever heard of the Cy Young Award? Yeah I never heard of a “whoever the fuck you’re gonna say award”Cy Young is the GOAT. Ligmanuts
@@dukedematteo1995 BTW ultimate dad bod and still played baseball and set records no one will ever come close to. Eat it.
@cptsparklfingerz9210 Who gives a shit that it's called the Cy Young award? MLB just loves nostalgic bs like that's.
Young threw about 77 mph.
@@dukedematteo1995 Well, did he throw about 85 or about 77? You don't know so wtf are you going on about?
Gallaraga threw the only perfect game with 28 outs
Hmmmmmm…. Almost all HOF boys, EXCEPT for playoff perfectos? One might conclude this stat is so hallowed, the league protects it at all costs, eh? 🤔
Lol Sun realllllly high in the sky with this group too
The King Felix announcer call was godly.
Nolan Ryan failed 7 times to get a perfect game
Dennis I ruined Pucketts career Martinez
Way to just leave out Browning. SMH. Mention him and move on.
Um, for throwing maybe the most famous perfect game in world series history.... Well, there is only one perfect game in world series history, so there's no maybe about it, and no doubt that it's the most famous. That statement is as mediocre as Larson's career, not well thought out at all.
Shame on you for omitting the fact Ron Hassey caught two perfect games. Only player to ever do that.
Dang, Will! I was sure I was the only one who knew that answer. Remind me never to go up against you in a trivia game!! 😄
Wow, brutal miss in research by me! That’s an awesome piece of trivia
@@zachr26 You should do a Video about him. He was also behind the plate for Kirk Gibsons iconic Home Run in the world series. Almost ended that game with a pick off at first too. He also help Bob Welsh win 27 games and a Cy Young.
27 you say?
Interesting.
@@Pocketrocket-pj1us Did you say 27?
Fun Fact - The number 27 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a synergy unlike anything known.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the 27th NFL Franchise.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire the first head coach (John McKay) who had 27 year of Head Coaching Experience when hired.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started off 0-26, in their 27th Game they won for the First Time. Making them 1-26 after 27 games.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl in their 27th season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first NFC Championship by scoring 27 points.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl by beating the Oakland Raiders by 27 Points.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their First Super Bowl on January 26th, 1-26, their record after 27 games in the NFL.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their Second Super Bowl on February 7th, 2/7
WAR don't mean shit.
It's not "the MLB", just MLB. Say it out loud - "the Major league baseball", does that make any sense? No
Cry bout it 👆🤓