There have been 7 perfect games in the last 20 years. For contrast, from 1880 when the first couple perfect games were pitched until 1956 when Don Larsen pitched the most famous game of all time, only 6 perfect games happened. Mind you, that the "Dead-ball era" the predated the Ruth power surge only accounts for 4 of the perfect games. So despite the huge offensive advantage the game contains today, there have been way more 27-up, 27-down games than in the era when offense was "dead". Food for thought.
The last of those dead-ball perfect games was thrown by one Addie Joss on October 2, 1908. His Cleveland Naps beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0. He needed only 74 pitches and struck out only 3 White Sox, both record lows for perfect games. Added to the thrill of the game was it was the home stretch of the season in which both teams were fighting with the Detroit Tigers for the pennant. Detroit would win in the end, and famously go on to lose to the Cubs in the World Series.
It bothers me that it's not the proper logo for the 1908 Naps, but it is what it is. Close enough.
Joss has fantastic control and lasts 8 innings, with a chart that makes it obvious how he was able to pull off the perfecto. It also makes it clear how he was only able to strike 3 guys out.
Jay Clarke caught this perfecto. He also went by "Nig Clarke" but I highly doubt that would fly in todays game...
Ed Walsh was the opponent for Joss that day in 1908. Many consider this game to be the greatest pitching duel ever, with Walsh only allowing an unearned run in an otherwise masterful performance. Joss needed to be perfect, literally, to help Cleveland come out on top that day. Walsh's card shows it too, with that +6 control and a whopping 9 inning of use.
Cleveland's lone run came from Birmingham. That would be all Joss needed.
With 2 outs in the 9th, Chicago turned to John Anderson as their last hope as pinch-hitter. He lined a ball foul that would have broken up the Perfect Game had it stayed fair. He followed that up with a shot to 3rd Base that he was barely thrown out on.
For the 8 defenders on the field around a Perfect Game pitcher, the last thing they want is for the ball to be hit to them. Nightmare scenarios play in your head over a tricky grounder or a low flying liner that you misplay and ruin the game. John Anderson hit a grounder to Bill Bradley at 3rd Base that he not only bobbled momentarily, but he also made a low throw to 1st Base. George Stovall saved the day as he dug the throw out of the dirt for the out and sealed the deal for Joss.
Joss wasn't finished trolling the White Sox, however. On April 20, 1910 he would no-hit them again, becoming the first player ever to no-hit the same team twice, a feat that has only once ever been recreated (and not by Nolan Ryan, either, but by Tim Lincecum). So as an added bonus, here's what that card was all about
Addie was a sure fire Hall of Famer, but sadly he passed away in the spring of 1911, just prior to the start of the season. His 9 years of major league service meant he was denied HoF enshrinement, but an exception was eventually made and he was honored by the Veterans Committee for the 1978 class. He is the lone exception to the "10 years of service" rule.
