Perfect game

Since 1991, a perfect game has been defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a complete game victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposition player reaches first base. In short, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batters, or any other baserunners for any reason, even if they are thrown out trying for extra bases. By definition, such games must also be shutouts. Since the pitcher cannot control whether or not his teammates commit any errors, the pitcher must be backed up by a solid defense to pitch a perfect game. However, an error which does not allow a baserunner, such as a misplayed foul ball, may occur in a perfect game.

Major League Baseball perfect games

19th century

Modern era

Notes:

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• The first two perfect games occurred when pitching was underhanded (the hand could not rise above the belt), from 45 feet away from home plate, 8 balls were required for a walk, hitters could direct a high or low ball, and so on. They were fundamentally different than the rest of those listed and their place in this list is widely debated; changes in the rules since Cy Young's perfect game have been of much less significance.
• Cy Young's perfect game was part of a hitless innings streak (24 straight and still a record) and a scoreless innings streak (45 straight, no longer a record).
• Larsen pitched the first and only post-season perfect game (also the only post-season no-hitter) in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
• In Koufax's perfect game, the Cubs pitcher, Bob Hendley, gave up only one hit, a bloop double in the seventh inning, and stranded the runner on second base. The Dodgers scored their only run in the fifth inning. The winning run reached first on a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, attempted a steal of third, and scored when the Cubs catcher overthrew third base.
• Cone's perfect game was held on Yogi Berra Day with the original players of the 1956 World Series perfect game in attendance. Don Larsen, the pitcher of that game, threw out the first pitch to Yogi Berra.
• The Boston Americans (or Pilgrims or any of several other names used by sportwriters) became the Red Sox when John I Taylor chose the name after the Boston Nationals dropped the red stockings from their uniforms; the Huntington Avenue Grounds became the home of the Boston Braves and the Red Sox moved to Fenway Park when it was finished in 1912. The Cleveland Naps (so-called after they acquired Napoleon Lajoie) finally settled on 'Indians' for a name.