Baseball's Perfect Game vs. No Hitter (2023)

Contents

  • Perfect Matches vs. No-Hitter: What's the Difference?
  • A perfect match vs. a no-hitter: which is harder to achieve?
  • The most famous perfect games and no-hitters in baseball history
  • Is a perfect game or a no-hitter more valuable to a team's success?
  • How do pitchers prepare for a perfect play or a no-hitter?
  • What are the odds of throwing a perfect play or a no-hitter?
  • What is the role of referees in a perfect game or no-hitter?
  • What are the common misconceptions about perfect games and no-hitters?
  • What do broadcasters call a perfect game or a no-hitter?
  • What's the difference between a perfect game and a no-hitter in baseball?

While a no-hitter is an incredible achievement, aperfect gameis it even more. Here's a look at the differences between the two.

Perfect Matches vs. No-Hitter: What's the Difference?

Perfect plays and no-hitters are both amazing feats achieved by pitchers in the gamebaseball gameAperfect gameis when a pitcher pitches an entire game and does not allow any batter to reach base, while a no-hitter is when a pitcher does not allow any batter to land a hit throughout the game. So what is the difference between these two achievements?

First of all, perfect games are much rarer than no-hitters. In fact, there have only been 23 perfect games in MLB history compared to over 300 no-hitters. This is because a no-hitter can be achieved with a few allowed walks or hit-by-pitches as long as no hits are given up. Aperfect gameon the other hand, nobody asks for itDough reaches baseat all. This means that pitchers must have near-flawless control and not make any mistakes.

(Video) PERFECT GAMES, NO-HITTERS, and a MADDUX - Baseball Basics

Another difference between these two feats is that perfect plays are often considered more impressive than no-hitters. This is because achieving aPerfect gamerequires a pitcher to dominate 27 consecutive batters without giving up hits or walks, which is an incredibly difficult task. Getting a no-hitter is also difficult, but not quite as daunting as pitchingPerfect game

While both perfect matches and no-hitters are amazing achievements, there are some key differences between the two. Perfect plays are much rarer than no-hitters and are often considered more impressive since it's difficult to pitch 27 consecutive batters without giving up hits or walks.

APerfect gamevs. a no-hitter: which is harder to achieve?

Aperfect gamein baseball is when apitcher throwsnine innings and no opposing player gets on base. A no-hitter occurs when a pitcher pitches nine innings and no opposing player is hit. So what is harder to achieve?

The answer may surprise you. Although aPerfect gamehas never been reached in themajor leaguesSince 1900 there have been 23 no-hitters. In other words, a pitcher is about eight times more likely to throw a no-hitter than onePerfect game

There are several reasons why a no-hitter is harder to achieve than onePerfect gameFor one thing, there are more ways to reach first base without scoring than there are ways to score. A player can reach first base by being hit by a pitch, walking, or (among other things) hitting a sacrificial fly. Even if a pitcher knocks out every batter he faces, he can still give up a no-hitter if his defense fails him.

Another reason why a no-hitter is harder to achieve than aperfect gameis that pitchers have less control over the outcome of balls in play than over strikeouts. In other words, even the best pitchers occasionally give up shots on well-hit balls. On the other hand, pitchers have more control over strikeouts because they dictate how fast and how straight they throw the ball.

While it may seem that throwing a perfect play would be more difficult than throwing a no-hitter, the opposite is true. If you want to make history, it's best to aim for it

The most famous perfect games and no-hitters in baseball history

There were 23 perfect games and hundreds of no-hittersBaseball historybut some stand out from the rest. Here are some of the most famous:

(Video) No Hitter VS Perfect Game, no-hitter vs perfect game and MLB perfect games

Am 17. May 2004, PhiladelphiaRandy Johnsonbecame only the second pitcher inFirst LeagueHistory to throw a perfect game at 40 years or older. His 14 strikeouts helped him defeat themAtlanta Braves2-0.

Two years earlier, on September 6, 2002, Oakland's Barry Zito had failed to scoreTexas Rangers4-0 while also hitting 10 batters. It was only the second no-hitter in Rangers history and cemented Zito's place among baseball's elite pitchers.

1998 neuYork YankeesPitcher David Wells threw a perfect game against theMinnesota-Zwillingeon May 17th. Wells had great control that day, walking none and hitting a seven in his dominant performance. The Yankees won 4-0.

Is a perfect game or a no-hitter more valuable to a team's success?

In baseball, a perfect game is defined as a game in which a pitcher throws at 27 batsmen and none of them reach base. A no-hitter is defined as a game in which a pitcher throws to 27 batters and none of them get a hit. So is a perfect game or a no-hitter more valuable to a team's success?

This question is difficult to answer because the value of any achievement depends on the circumstances under which it is accomplished. For example, a perfect play thrown by a beginning pitcher late in the season can be more valuable than a no-hitter thrown by arelief pitcherearly in the season. Similarly, a perfect play thrown by a seasoned veteran pitcher can be more valuable than a no-hitter thrown by a novice pitcher.

There is no definitive answer to this question as the value of any achievement depends on the specific circumstances under which it is accomplished. However, both feats are certainly extremely valuable to a team's success, and any pitcher who has the ability to accomplish either should be viewed as an asset to his team.

How do pitchers prepare for a perfect play or a no-hitter?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different pitchers have different routines and methods of preparing for a perfect play or no-hitter. However, there are some similarities between the preparation habits of different pitchers.

For example, many pitchers spend extra time studying the opposing team's batsmen before the game. They pored over scouting reports and video footage of past bats to get a feel for each batsman's strengths and weaknesses. This information may be used to help formulate agame schedulehow to approach each dough.

(Video) 5/18/04: Randy Johnson's Perfect Game

Additionally, some pitchers may change their normal routine on the day of a potentially perfect play or no-hitter. They may need extra time to warm up in the bullpen or between innings, and they may try to focus on staying relaxed and not letting the pressure of the situation interfere with their performance.

Ultimately, each individual pitcher needs to find what works best for them in terms of preparation. Taking the time to study opposing hitters and staying calm and focused on the mound are two key elements that can help any pitcher give themselves the best chance of pitching a perfect play or a no-hitter .

What are the odds of throwing a perfect play or a no-hitter?

The chances of throwing a perfect play or a no-hitter are very slim. In fact, there have only been 23 perfect plays and 300 no-hitters in the history ofMajor League Baseball

To put these numbers in perspective, the odds of throwing a perfect play are around 1 in 3,000, while the odds of throwing a no-hitter are around 1 in 100. So it's certainly possible to throw both types of games, but it's not something that happens every day.

What is the role of referees in a perfect game or no-hitter?

In a perfect game, no batsman reaches base throughout the game. In a no-hitter, no batsman makes it safely to base for the entire course of play. Both are rare in baseball.

Referees play a crucial role in both a perfect game and a no-hitter. You are responsible for ensuring that all rules are followed and that every player plays fairly. Without the referees, neither a perfect game nor a no-hitter would be possible.

What are the common misconceptions about perfect games and no-hitters?

In baseball, a perfect game is defined as a game in which a pitcher pitches nine innings and no opposing player reaches base. A no-hitter is defined as a game in which a pitcher pitches nine innings and no opposing player scores. Although they are similar, there are some key differences between the two.

A common misconception is that perfect games are rarer than no-hitters. In reality there were even morepitched perfect gamesin MLB history as a no-hitter. As of 2019, there have been 23 perfect games and 297 no-hitters in MLB history.

(Video) MLB | No-Hitters and Perfect Games (2004-2016)

Another misconception is that all no-hitters are also shutouts. That's not the case; A pitcher can throw a no-hitter and still allow runs to be scored by his team (known as an "imperfect" no-hitter). In fact, there have been 11 times in MLB history where pitchers have thrown imperfect no-hitters.

Finally, some people believe that pitchers who throw perfect plays or no-hitters are automatically included in baseballRuhmeshalleThat is not true; while many pitchers who throw perfect plays or no-hitters end up in theRuhmeshalleit is not automatic. For example, pitcher Dave Stieb threw two separate no-hitters during his MLB career but was never included in theRuhmeshalle

What do broadcasters call a perfect game or a no-hitter?

During a perfect game in which a pitcher pulls back all 27 batters he faces without allowing hits, walks, or hit batsmen, broadcasters have a delicate line to walk. If they say anything that might jinx the game, they could be blamed if the game is later blown.

The most common way to refer to a perfect play in progress is simply to say that the pitcher has yet to concede a hit. As play continues and the no-hitter becomes more likely, broadcasters could increase the excitement level in their voice without actually saying a no-hitter is happening.

When a no-hitter is still intact in the late innings, broadcasters often avoid saying "no-hitter" on air, opting instead for phrases like "a gem in the works" or "a beauty unfolding." “. In some cases, broadcasters wait until after the game to say a no-hitter was thrown.

Some see this as an unnecessary superstition;Baseball-Analystand former playerJoe Morganonce said, "For me, when you've got a no-hitter going in the gameninth inningit's a no-hitter."

On the other hand, some pitchers have been known to credit their broadcasters for not jinxing their plays. After hitting a no-hitter in 2012, Mets pitcher Johan Santana later said, "I want to thank (broadcaster) Gary (Cohen), Keith (Hernandez) and Ron (Darling). They approached it very professionally.”

What's the difference between a perfect game and a no-hitter in baseball?

The main difference between a perfect game and a no-bat in baseballis that a perfect game consists of no batter reaching first base, while a no-hitter consists of no batter scoring. A perfect play is therefore a subset of a no-hitter. There have only been 23 perfect games in Major's historyLiga Baseballcompared to more than 300 no-hitters.

(Video) MLB: No Hitters (HD)

FAQs

Is a perfect game better than a no-hitter? ›

Perfect game vs no-hitter

The difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game is that in a perfect game, no batter ever reaches base, ever. It does not matter if it is because of a hit, a walk, an error, or if they were hit by a pitch.

What pitcher threw a no-hitter and a perfect game? ›

Randy Johnson's perfect game
Randy Johnson, pictured in 2008, threw his second career no-hitter, a perfect game, on May 18, 2004.
Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves 2 0
DateMay 18, 2004
VenueTurner Field
CityAtlanta, Georgia
4 more rows

Has anyone had a perfect game in MLB? ›

There have been 23 perfect games in MLB history, with the first two coming just days apart all the way back in 1880 courtesy of Lee Richmond and John Ward. Twenty-one perfect games have occurred in the modern era (since 1900) and 17 have come within the last 60 years.

What is considered a perfect game in baseball? ›

A perfect game is a complete game pitched without a runner reaching base either by hit, base-on-balls, or error. It is one of the rarest feats in baseball and a subset of no-hitters. The first major league perfect game was thrown in 1880 by Lee Richmond. Only five days later, John Ward threw the second one.

Has anyone lost a game with a no-hitter? ›

On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt . 45s became the first pitcher to throw a nine-inning no-hitter and lose. In fact, he is still the only individual to throw an official (nine-inning) no-hitter and lose.

Did Nolan Ryan ever pitch a perfect game? ›

He is tied with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with 12. Ryan also pitched 18 two-hitters. Despite this, he never pitched a perfect game, nor did he ever win a Cy Young Award; both were largely attributed to his high walk rate.

Has anyone thrown a 27 pitch game? ›

Necciai is best remembered for the unique feat of striking out 27 batters in a nine-inning game, which he accomplished while playing with the Class-D Appalachian League team, the Bristol Twins, on May 13, 1952.
...
Ron Necciai
Win–loss record1–6
Earned run average7.08
Strikeouts31
Teams
11 more rows

What are the rarest plays in baseball? ›

Unassisted triple plays

The rarest type of triple play, and one of the rarest events of any kind in baseball, is for a single fielder to complete all three outs. There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in MLB history, making this feat rarer than a perfect game.

Has anyone ever pitched a perfect game and lost? ›

On May 26, 1959, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a perfect game for 12 innings against the Milwaukee Braves, but lost the no-hitter and the game in the 13th inning.
...
Harvey Haddix's near-perfect game.
Harvey Haddix in 1953, six years before his 12-perfect-inning game
Pittsburgh Pirates Milwaukee Braves 0 1
CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
6 more rows

Can a perfect game be 8 innings? ›

In baseball, a perfect game is a game in which one or more pitchers complete a minimum of nine innings with no batter from the opposing team reaching any base.

Can you throw a perfect game and lose? ›

There have been two instances when a pitcher has had a perfect game through nine frames, but then lost it in extra innings. In 1959, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched twelve perfect innings before losing the no-hitter and the game to the Milwaukee Braves in the 13th.

Was there an immaculate inning in a perfect game? ›

Has any pitcher thrown an immaculate game? No pitcher has ever thrown an immaculate game that would consist of 27 strikeouts and 81 pitches.

Has there ever been a 2 pitch inning? ›

It's a pretty rare feat. But ... have you ever seen a two-pitch inning? As in, a pitcher only needs two pitches to record a clean inning of work? If you watched the Rome Braves' win over the West Virginia Power on Friday night, you did.

Has anyone pitched an immaculate game? ›

Seven pitchers have accomplished the feat more than once in their career, including Hall-of-Famers Lefty Grove, Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson, and currently active pitchers Chris Sale, Max Scherzer, and Kevin Gausman.

What is the longest perfect game in baseball? ›

Haddix is most notable for pitching 12 perfect innings in a game against the Milwaukee Braves on May 26, 1959; the Pirates lost the game in the 13th inning. Haddix enjoyed his best season in 1953, pitching for the Cardinals.
...
Harvey Haddix
Strikeouts1,575
Teams
16 more rows

Has there ever been a game where both teams threw a no-hitter? ›

There has never been a complete-game double no-hitter in the major leagues. It has occurred 10 times in the minors: Aug. 7, 1886: Oakland's George Van Haltren beat San Francisco's Jim McMullin 4-2 in a California League game that featured a lot of runs when you consider neither team had a hit.

Has any pitcher thrown a no-hitter and lost? ›

On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt . 45s became the only pitcher to lose a complete game no-hitter in nine innings when he was beaten, 1–0, by the Cincinnati Reds. The winning run was scored by Pete Rose in the top of the ninth inning via an error, groundout, and another error.

Has anyone thrown a no-hitter and hit a home run? ›

Wise, Wes Ferrell (1931), Jim Tobin (1944), and Earl Wilson (1962) are the only pitchers to throw a no-hitter and hit a home run in the same game. On August 28 against the San Francisco Giants, Wise also hit two home runs.

Who is the greatest pitcher ever? ›

PRIME = WAR in 5 Best Consecutive Seasons
RANKNAMEFROM
1Walter Johnson1907
2Greg Maddux1986
3Randy Johnson1988
4Tom Seaver1967
46 more rows

What is the fastest pitch Nolan Ryan ever threw? ›

The most widely quoted response is Nolan Ryan, whose fastball was "officially" clocked by the Guinness Book of World Records at 100.9 miles per hour in a game played on August 20, 1974, versus the Detroit Tigers. A record that's still included in the book.

What is the fastest a pitcher has ever thrown? ›

Fastest pitch ever thrown

As a result, Aroldis Chapman is credited with throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history. On Sept. 24, 2010, Chapman made MLB history. Then a rookie relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, the fireballer unleashed a fastball clocked at 105.1 mph by PITCH/fx.

Has any team lost a perfect game? ›

On May 26, 1959, Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a perfect game for 12 innings against the Milwaukee Braves, but lost the no-hitter and the game in the 13th inning.
...
Harvey Haddix's near-perfect game.
Harvey Haddix in 1953, six years before his 12-perfect-inning game
Pittsburgh Pirates Milwaukee Braves 0 1
CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
6 more rows

How rare is a perfect game? ›

The perfect game — 27 up, 27 down — is the rarest of baseball feats. There have been only 23 of them in major league history, with the first two coming in 1880.

How rare is a perfect game in MLB? ›

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the feat has been achieved 23 times – 21 times since the modern era began in 1901, most recently by Félix Hernández of the Seattle Mariners on August 15, 2012.

Has there ever been a 27 pitch game? ›

Necciai is best remembered for the unique feat of striking out 27 batters in a nine-inning game, which he accomplished while playing with the Class-D Appalachian League team, the Bristol Twins, on May 13, 1952.

Who messed up the perfect game? ›

Facing the Cleveland Indians, Galarraga retired the first 26 batters he faced. His bid for a perfect game was ruined one out short when first-base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly ruled that Indians batter Jason Donald reached first base safely on a ground ball.

Has a perfect game ever had a walk-off? ›

It wasn't until third baseman Kuo Fu-Lin led off the ninth inning with a walk-off home run that Verdugo earned his perfect game. The media could not be played.

What is rarer perfect game or immaculate inning? ›

Yes, an immaculate inning is rarer than a perfect game. A research project in 2018 by baseball statistician Ryan Spaeder determined that a perfect game occurred at a rate of 0.0106%, while an immaculate inning happened 0.0045% of the time.

Has any pitcher thrown a perfect game? ›

During baseball's modern era, 21 pitchers have thrown perfect games. Most were accomplished major leaguers. Seven have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame: Cy Young, Addie Joss, Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, Catfish Hunter, Randy Johnson, and Roy Halladay.

Who threw fastest pitch ever recorded? ›

The Fastest Pitch Ever: Aroldis Chapman's 106 MPH Heater

On September 24, 2010, former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who hails from Cuba, delivered a 105.1-mph fastball, measured by Statcast, in a game against the San Diego Padres, which is recognized as the Guinness World Record for fastest pitch ever.

How much does it cost to play in perfect game baseball? ›

PG offers three different subscription packages: DiamondKast, Crosschecker, and Scout. DiamondKast subscription options include: a $96 one-time annual fee (totals out to $7.99 a month) or $9.99 a month with a three-month minimum commitment.

Videos

1. Carlos Rodón loses perfect game on a toe ball but gets no hitter, a breakdown
(Jomboy Media)
2. Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game gets RUINED! (2010)
(Sports Productions Extra)
3. Perfect game advances New York at 2018 Little League World Series [highlight] | ESPN
(ESPN)
4. Full 9th inning of Buehrle's perfect game
(MLB)
5. MLB: Perfect Game/No-Hitter Saving Plays
(BronxBomber42)
6. PHI@FLA: Halladay throws a perfect game against the Marlins
(MLB)
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