There have been only 23 pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball who have thrown perfect games, where no batter from the opposing team reaches first base. Among them, only one pitcher has thrown two perfect games in his career, and that is the legendary pitcher of the 19th century, Johnny Vander Meer.
Johnny Vander Meer was born on November 2, 1914, in Prospect, New Jersey, and played professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians. He is one of the few pitchers in baseball history who managed to throw back-to-back no-hitters, which included the second game of his doubleheader start against the Boston Bees on June 11, 1938, and his next start against the Brooklyn Dodgers on June 15, 1938.
However, his most notable achievement was throwing two consecutive perfect games in high school for Midland Park High School in 1934.
Johnny Vander Meer’s first perfect game was played on June 11, 1938, at the Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio, against the Boston Bees. He struck out four batters and managed to move the Reds to victory with a 6-0 scoreline. Remarkably, just four days later, on June 15, he pitched another perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York.
He struck out seven batters in that game and led the Reds to another victory, this time with a narrow 6-0 scoreline.
As mentioned above, Johnny Vander Meer is the only player in the history of baseball to have thrown two consecutive perfect games in his career. Although his baseball career was short, Vander Meer’s record of back-to-back no hitters and two perfect games make him a baseball legend that will not be forgotten.
Has there ever been a 27 pitch game?
To answer the question if there has ever been a 27 pitch game, it is important to understand what a 27 pitch game means. A 27 pitch game refers to a baseball game where the pitcher throws only 27 pitches throughout the entire game. This includes both balls and strikes.
Although it is rare for a pitcher to throw only 27 pitches in a game, it has happened in the past. In fact, there have been a few instances where a pitcher has managed to throw a complete game with only 27 pitches.
One example of this occurred in 1944 when Boston Braves’ pitcher Jim Tobin threw a complete game shutout against the Brooklyn Dodgers with only 27 pitches. Tobin is the only pitcher in major league history to achieve this feat. He threw only two balls and 25 strikes throughout the game, and managed to strike out one batter.
Another notable example occurred in 2010 when Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Edwin Jackson threw a complete game shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays with only 78 pitches. Although this is not a 27 pitch game, it is still worth mentioning as it is a rare and impressive feat to throw a complete game shutout with so few pitches.
A 27 pitch game is rare but it has happened in the past. Jim Tobin is the only pitcher in major league history to have thrown a complete game with only 27 pitches while Edwin Jackson threw a complete game shutout with only 78 pitches. These remarkable achievements are a testament to the skill and precision of these talented pitchers.
Did Nolan Ryan ever pitch a perfect game?
Yes, Nolan Ryan pitched a total of 7 no-hitters in his career, but only one of those was a perfect game. On May 15, 1973, Ryan pitched a perfect game for the California Angels against the Kansas City Royals. A perfect game is when a pitcher retires all 27 batters faced without allowing any hits, walks, or errors.
It is an incredibly rare feat, with only 23 perfect games being thrown in baseball history. Ryan’s perfect game was especially impressive because he struck out 12 batters in the process. This was not the only time Ryan would come close to throwing a perfect game though. He was famously known for his overpowering fastball and control which allowed him to throw 12 one-hitters and 2 additional games where he retired 26 of the 27 batters faced.
Ryan’s impressive pitching career earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
Who pitched 2 no-hitters in a row?
In the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), only one pitcher has ever managed to pitch two no-hitters in a row, and his name is Johnny Vander Meer. Johnny Vander Meer was a left-handed pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937-1949. He pitched his first no-hitter on June 11, 1938, against the Boston Braves.
Only a few days later, on June 15, he pitched his second no-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers, making history in the process.
His feat of pitching two no-hitters in a row is still considered one of the greatest achievements in baseball history. Vander Meer’s success in pitching two no-hitters in a row is remarkable because no pitcher has been able to replicate the feat. It showcased his incredible talent, consistency, and focus as a pitcher.
Vander Meer had a successful career as a pitcher, winning 119 games over his 13 seasons in the MLB. However, his back-to-back no-hitters remain his most significant accomplishment. The feat has gone down in baseball history as one of the most impressive feats ever achieved by a pitcher, and any player hoping to match Vander Meer’s record will need to maintain an impressive level of performance, dedication, and skill that he demonstrated during his career.
Has anyone ever pitched both games of a double header?
Yes, there have been a few instances in baseball history where a pitcher has pitched both games of a doubleheader. This is a rare and difficult feat to accomplish, as it requires a great deal of stamina and skill on the part of the pitcher.
One of the most famous examples of this achievement occurred in 1933, when a young pitcher named Johnny Niggeling of the St. Louis Browns pitched both games of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. Niggeling was just 24 years old at the time, and he had already developed a reputation as a talented and hard-working pitcher.
Despite the immense challenge of pitching two complete games in one day, Niggeling rose to the occasion and delivered two stellar performances. In the first game, he pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just six hits and striking out five batters to lead the Browns to a 6-0 victory. In the second game, he pitched another complete game, allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out three batters to help the Browns to a 5-1 win.
Niggeling’s remarkable achievement earned him a place in baseball history, and he remains one of the few pitchers to ever pitch both games of a doubleheader. Despite his success, however, the feat remains a rare and difficult accomplishment, requiring a special combination of talent, endurance, and determination to achieve.
What is the fewest pitches thrown in a complete game?
The fewest pitches thrown in a complete game in Major League Baseball history is 58, achieved by the Houston Astros’ Red Barrett on August 10, 1944, against the Cincinnati Reds. Barrett went the distance, allowing only two hits and no walks, while recording three strikeouts.
To put this achievement in perspective, the average number of pitches thrown per game by a starting pitcher in the modern era is around 100-110. In fact, it’s not uncommon for pitchers to throw over 120 pitches in a single game. In recent years, however, there has been a trend towards limiting pitch counts and innings for starting pitchers in order to protect their arms and prevent injuries.
While Barrett’s remarkable feat may seem like a product of a bygone era, it’s worth noting that there have been other notable low-pitch count complete games in the modern era. For example, on June 28, 2003, Boston Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe threw just 73 pitches in a complete game shutout against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Similarly, on April 21, 2015, San Francisco Giants pitcher Chris Heston threw just 89 pitches in a no-hitter against the New York Mets.
While low-pitch count complete games are rare, they serve as a testament to a pitcher’s exceptional efficiency and command, and are a reminder of the unique history and variability of the sport of baseball.
What is the rarest play in baseball?
In baseball, there are various plays that are considered rare due to the circumstances involved. However, the rarest play in baseball is widely considered to be an unassisted triple play.
An unassisted triple play occurs when a single defensive player records three outs on the same play, without the help of any other fielder. This means that the player manages to catch a line drive, tag a baserunner who is off-base, and then step on a base to record a third out.
The odds of an unassisted triple play occurring are incredibly low, considering the rarity of events that must happen in order for it to take place. For instance, there must be at least two baserunners who are off the base, a line drive must be hit to an infielder who is standing in the right spot, and the runner must not be able to get back on-base in time.
According to statistics, there have been only 15 unassisted triple plays in the history of Major League Baseball. The first player to ever accomplish this feat was Neal Ball of the Cleveland Naps in 1909. Since then, only 14 other players have managed to repeat this rare feat, with the most recent being Eric Bruntlett of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.
An unassisted triple play remains the rarest play in baseball. The odds of such a play occurring are so low that only 15 players in the history of baseball have accomplished it. This incredible moment and the memory of the player who accomplished it will always be cherished in baseball history.
What is a 3 pitch inning called?
A 3 pitch inning is a rare and impressive feat in baseball, and it is commonly referred to as an “immaculate inning”. It occurs when a pitcher throws just nine pitches, and all three batters in the inning are struck out. This is an incredibly difficult feat to accomplish, as it requires the pitcher to expertly locate their pitches, mix up their speeds and throw deceptive pitches to get the batters to swing and miss or hit weakly.
The term “immaculate inning” was first coined by Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley in 1999 after witnessing it happen during a game between the Red Sox and Mariners. Since then, the term has gained popularity and has become a coveted accomplishment for pitchers. In fact, there have only been just over 100 immaculate innings in the history of major league baseball, which shows just how rare and difficult it is to achieve.
The immaculate inning is not only impressive from a statistical standpoint, but it also has a psychological impact on the opposing team. When a pitcher is able to strike out three batters on just nine pitches, it can have a demoralizing effect on the opposing team, boosting the confidence and momentum of the pitcher’s team.
The immaculate inning is a special and memorable achievement in baseball, and it is a true testament to a pitcher’s skill and mastery of the game.
What is the most perfect game ever pitched?
The question of what is the most perfect game ever pitched in baseball is subjective and can vary from person to person.
However, some games have stood out in history as near-perfect, depending on how one defines perfection in pitching. One such game is the 1956 World Series Game 5, when Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. In a perfect game, no batter on the opposing team gets on base.
Larsen’s performance in this game was exceptional, as he became the first player in baseball history to pitch a perfect game in the World Series, arguably the biggest stage in baseball.
Another game that is often cited in discussions of perfect games is Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, when Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball that went through Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner’s legs, allowing the New York Mets to score and win the game. Although not officially considered a perfect game because of the error, Boston pitcher Roger Clemens had pitched an impressive game, allowing only four hits with no runs scored against him.
Other notable perfect games include Sandy Koufax’s performance in Game 1 of the 1965 World Series, and David Cone’s game against the Montreal Expos in 1999. Perfect games are rare, and their rarity makes them even more impressive when they do occur.
The answer to what is the most perfect game ever pitched is a matter of personal opinion, and different people may have their own criteria for what they consider perfect. However, certain games, such as Larsen’s 1956 World Series Game 5, are widely considered to be nearly flawless pitching performances that set a high standard for perfect games.
What pitch is banned in MLB?
There is a specific pitch that is currently banned in Major League Baseball (MLB) called the “spitball.” This pitch involves applying a substance, usually saliva or another lubricant, to the ball before throwing it. This makes the ball more difficult to hit as it can create unpredictable movement.
In the early days of baseball, the spitball was a commonly used pitch, and many pitchers used it successfully. However, as the game evolved, the dangers of using the spitball became apparent. The unpredictability of the ball’s movement could lead to injury, and the rule against applying substances to the ball was included in the official MLB rulebook in 1920.
Today, any pitcher caught using the spitball will be ejected from the game and can face disciplinary action from the league. The use of any foreign substance on the ball is strictly prohibited, and umpires will routinely check balls and gloves for any signs of tampering.
In recent years, there has been debate about whether the rule against foreign substances should be enforced more strictly, as some pitchers have been accused of using substances like pine tar or sunscreen to gain an edge on the mound. While these substances don’t necessarily create the same unpredictable movement as the spitball, they can still give pitchers an unfair advantage and potentially put hitters in danger.
The ban on the spitball and other illegal pitches is aimed at ensuring a level playing field for all players and promoting player safety. As such, it is an important aspect of the rules and regulations governing the game of baseball at the highest level.
Has there been MLB game with 27 strikeouts?
To answer this question, we need to look at the history of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the records that have been set throughout its existence. The premise of this question is whether or not there has been a game in which one team’s pitching staff has recorded 27 strikeouts in nine innings.
Upon researching, it has been determined that there has never been an MLB game in which one team’s pitching staff has recorded 27 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. The record for most strikeouts in a game, regardless of the number of innings played or by both teams, is currently held by the Los Angeles Dodgers who struck out a combined 26 batters in a 2016 game against the San Diego Padres played over the course of 17 innings.
There have been many instances where pitchers have recorded more than 10 strikeouts in a single game, with some of the most notable being Randy Johnson’s 20-strikeout game in 2001, Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game in 1998, and Max Scherzer’s 20-strikeout game in 2016. However, 27 strikeouts in a nine-inning game has not yet been achieved.
It is important to note that strikeouts have not always been recorded in baseball. Prior to 1908, a strikeout was only recorded if the batter swung and missed three times or if the pitcher hit the batter with the ball and the batter did not attempt to move out of the way. The modern-day strikeout, where the pitcher throws three strikes and the batter does not swing or makes contact, was not officially recognized in the MLB until 1920.
While there have been many impressive strikeout performances in the history of MLB, no team has ever recorded 27 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. However, with the advancements in pitching techniques and the evolution of the game, it is possible that this record may be broken in the future.