How many pitchers have a perfect game? This is a question that has intrigued baseball fans for decades. A perfect game is one of the most remarkable achievements in the sport, as it requires a pitcher to retire all 27 batters they face without allowing a single hit, walk, or error. Since the introduction of the modern baseball era, only a select few pitchers have been able to accomplish this extraordinary feat.
Baseball has a rich history of legendary pitchers, each with their own unique skills and stories. The perfect game has been achieved a total of 23 times in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). The first perfect game was thrown by Cy Young in 1904, and since then, only a handful of pitchers have joined this exclusive club.
One of the most notable perfect games was thrown by Don Larsen in 1956. Larsen’s performance against the Brooklyn Dodgers is often regarded as one of the greatest games in baseball history. Another remarkable perfect game was thrown by Jim Devaney in 1965, who became the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in the American League.
The most recent perfect game was thrown by Felix Hernandez in 2012. Hernandez’s gem against the Tampa Bay Rays was a testament to his exceptional pitching skills and the importance of mental toughness in the sport. His performance also marked the first perfect game in the MLB since David Cone’s in 1999.
Several pitchers have thrown no-hitters, which are games in which a pitcher allows no hits, but not all no-hitters are perfect games. The difference lies in the number of walks or errors that occur during the game. While a perfect game is a more difficult feat to achieve, it is still an impressive accomplishment for any pitcher.
In conclusion, a total of 23 pitchers have thrown a perfect game in the history of MLB. These games have left an indelible mark on the sport and have inspired countless young pitchers to strive for greatness. As the game continues to evolve, it remains to be seen if any new pitchers will join this elite group and etch their names into baseball history.
