Throughout baseball history, there have been 24 official perfect games pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB). A perfect game occurs when a pitcher (or pitchers) retires all 27 opposing batters without allowing any baserunners. It is an extremely rare and difficult feat, showcasing a pitcher's dominance and control in a complete game shutout. Some MLB teams have seen more perfect games from their pitchers than others. Here we examine which teams have the most perfect games in MLB history.
When was the last perfect game in MLB history?
The most recent perfect game in MLB was pitched by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees on September 30, 2023 against the Oakland Athletics. Prior to Germán's feat, the last MLB perfect game was thrown over a decade earlier by Félix Hernández of the Seattle Mariners on August 15, 2012 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
2012 was a memorable year for perfect games, as there were 3 total that season. Along with Hernández, Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants and Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox also tossed perfect games in 2012. After going 10 years without one, Germán's perfecto in 2023 broke the drought.
How many perfect games have there been in MLB history?
In total, there have been 24 official perfect games in MLB history. The first two were thrown in 1880 by Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs and John Montgomery Ward of the Providence Grays.
After Ward's perfect game in 1880, no more occurred until 1904 when Cy Young tossed a perfect game for the Boston Americans (later known as the Red Sox). The frequency of perfect games increased steadily throughout the 20th century.
Here is the list of all 24 official perfect games in chronological order:
- Lee Richmond (Worcester Ruby Legs): June 12, 1880
- John Ward (Providence Grays): July 17, 1880
- Cy Young (Boston Americans): May 5, 1904
- Addie Joss (Cleveland Naps): October 2, 1908
- Charlie Robertson (Chicago White Sox): April 30, 1922
- Don Larsen (New York Yankees): October 8, 1956
- Jim Bunning (Philadelphia Phillies): June 21, 1964
- Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodgers): September 9, 1965
- Catfish Hunter (Oakland Athletics): May 8, 1968
- Len Barker (Cleveland Indians): May 15, 1981
- Mike Witt (California Angels): September 30, 1984
- Tom Browning (Cincinnati Reds): September 16, 1988
- Dennis Martínez (Montreal Expos): July 28, 1991
- Kenny Rogers (Texas Rangers): July 28, 1994
- David Wells (New York Yankees): May 17, 1998
- David Cone (New York Yankees): July 18, 1999
- Randy Johnson (Arizona Diamondbacks): May 18, 2004
- Mark Buehrle (Chicago White Sox): July 23, 2009
- Dallas Braden (Oakland Athletics): May 9, 2010
- Roy Halladay (Philadelphia Phillies): May 29, 2010
- Philip Humber (Chicago White Sox): April 21, 2012
- Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants): June 13, 2012
- Félix Hernández (Seattle Mariners): August 15, 2012
- Domingo Germán (New York Yankees): September 30, 2023
Has any MLB pitcher thrown two perfect games?
No pitcher in MLB history has ever thrown two official perfect games. Each of the 24 perfectos has been thrown by a different pitcher. There also has never been a combined perfect game pitched by multiple pitchers on the same team.
Which MLB team has thrown the most perfect games?
With Germán's perfect game in 2023, the New York Yankees now hold the record for the most perfect games thrown by any franchise with 5:
- Don Larsen in 1956 (World Series)
- David Wells in 1998
- David Cone in 1999
- Domingo Germán in 2023
Previously, the Yankees had been tied with the Chicago White Sox, who have 3 perfect games (Charlie Robertson in 1922, Mark Buehrle in 2009, Philip Humber in 2012).
No other MLB franchise has more than 2 perfect games. The Dodgers, Athletics, Indians, and Expos/Nationals each have 2. Several teams still have zero perfect games in their franchise histories.
On the receiving end, the Tampa Bay Rays have been on the losing side of 3 perfect games, the most of any team. The Dodgers and Twins have each been perfect game victims twice.
FAQs
When was the last perfect game in MLB history?
The last perfect game in MLB was on September 30, 2023, when Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees threw a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics. Prior to this, the previous perfect game was thrown by Félix Hernández of the Seattle Mariners on August 15, 2012.
How many perfect games have there been in MLB history?
There have been 24 official perfect games in MLB history. The first was in 1880 and the most recent was in 2023. The New York Yankees have the most as a franchise with 5 total perfect games.
Which MLB team has thrown the most perfect games?
The New York Yankees hold the record for the most perfect games thrown by a single franchise with 5. Their pitchers who have tossed perfect games are Don Larsen, David Wells, David Cone, and Domingo Germán (2 times). Previously, the Yankees were tied with the Chicago White Sox for the most perfect games at 3 each.
Conclusion
In conclusion, throughout baseball's long history, there have been only 24 official perfect games pitched. The accomplishment is incredibly rare and difficult to achieve at the major league level. The New York Yankees stand out from the pack with a record 5 perfect games thrown by pitchers on their franchise, including the most recent perfecto by Domingo Germán in 2023. No other team comes close to their mark of perfection. While specific pitchers and teams have shined in tossing perfect games on occasion, they remain some of baseball's most iconic and unforgettable moments.
