Perfect Game - Lee Richmond
A perfect game is when a pitcher retires all his opponents in order in a victory. Usually referred to as "27 up, 27 down" but if extra innings are required, then the perfect game isn't official until the win is achieved no matter how many innings it takes. 23 men have officially pitched perfect games in Major League Baseball and I plan to recognize each in time.
Lee Richmond pitched off and on from 1879-1886 for the Boston Red Stockings (future Atlanta Braves), Providence Grays, Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Worcester Ruby Legs. It is with the Ruby Legs that he achieved his immortality as the first ever pitcher to pitch a perfect game on June 12, 1880. Otherwise he had a very unassuming 75-100 record.
The rules weren't the same back then as they are today. Foul balls that are caught after a bounce count as outs, foul balls don't count as strikes, the strike zone didn't exist and the distance to home plate was 45 feet, with underhand pitching. But, a perfect game it was where all 27 Cleveland Blues (not the ones that became the Indians) were retired. It even featured a 9-3 putout where the ball was hit into right field, but the fielder managed to throw the runner out at first before he reached.
