Complete List of the 24 Perfect Games in MLB History
The 24 perfect games in MLB history represent the rarest achievements in baseball, where a pitcher retires every batter faced without allowing any baserunner via hits, walks, or errors. The modern era began with Lee Richmond in 1880 and includes dominant performances from pitchers such as Cy Young, Addie Joss, and more recent stars like Dallas Braden and Philip Humber. Each perfect game is a recognized milestone documented by MLB and baseball reference databases MLB.com.
The 24 perfect games span from 1880 to 2012 and feature a mix of legendary veterans and surprise outings. Notable entries include Don Larsen's 1956 World Series perfect game, the only one thrown in postseason play, and recent milestones like Matt Cain's 2012 gem. The list highlights how few pitchers have achieved this feat compared to no-hitters, underscoring its elite status in the sport Baseball-Reference.com.
Key Details and Records of the 24 Perfect Games
Among the 24 perfect games, several stand out for unique records, such as the shortest and longest outings, the youngest and oldest pitchers, and the most recent perfect game. For example, Felix Hernandez threw the most recent perfect game in 2012, while Addie Joss recorded the lowest pitch count in a perfect game. These details are verified by MLB's official records and historical archives Baseball Hall of Fame.
The 24 perfect games also reveal patterns in timing and league distribution, with the American League and National League each contributing multiple entries. Some perfect games occurred in the postseason, while others were part of dominant single-inning or late-inning performances. Analysts use these patterns to study pitching trends and the increasing rarity of perfect games in modern baseball ESPN MLB.
Why the Number 24 Matters in MLB History
The number 24 represents the total perfect games recognized by MLB as of the latest historical records, a figure that remains unchanged since 2012. This total places the perfect game above other rare pitching feats and emphasizes its status as the pinnacle of individual pitching achievement. The consistency of this count across official sources reinforces its reliability for fans and researchers MLB.com.
Understanding the 24 perfect games provides context for evaluating current pitching performances and future milestones. While no-hitters and perfect games are often conflated, the strict definition of a perfect game makes it a distinct and highly scrutinized record. This clarity helps baseball analysts and historians maintain accurate records and compare pitching achievements across eras Baseball-Reference.com.