Perfect Game! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bob Gibson

Bob Gibson, superstar pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, won 251 games in his Hall of Fame career, but he never managed to pitch a perfect game. Jim Bunning of the Phillies threw a perfect game against the New York Mets in 1964; Sandy Koufax of the L.A. Dodgers pitched a perfecto against the Chicago Cubs in 1965; and Jim (Catfish) Hunter of the Oakland A's hurled a perfect game against the Twins in 1968.

Answer: Montreal Expos

David Cone became the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in regular season interleague play. Cone accomplished the feat on Yogi Berra Day at Yankee Stadium. In an incredible coincidence, Don Larsen, author of a perfect game in 1956, was in attendance that afternoon. Cone and the Yankees defeated the Montreal Expos, 6-0. Yankees' announcer John Sterling declared that Cone had achieved baseball immortality.

Answer: Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers threw a perfect game against the California Angels at The Ballpark in Arlington, winning the contest 4-0. Rogers was nicknamed the "Gambler" in tribute to the famous country/pop singer of the same name. Kenny Rogers the ballplayer later met Kenny Rogers the singer to commemorate the perfect game.

The southpaw Rogers won 219 games in his Major League career which lasted from 1989 to 2008. Hurst, Honeycutt, and Kevin Brown also appeared with the Rangers during the 1994 season.

Answer: Randy Johnson

Randy "Big Unit" Johnson pitched a perfect game for the D'backs against the Atlanta Braves on May 18, 2004. The final score was 2-0, and Johnson became the first 40-year old big leaguer to hurl a perfect game. The gem was Johnson's second career no-hitter. He pitched a no-hit game for the Mariners in 1990. Nance, Fassero, and Choate also pitched for Arizona during the 2004 season.

Answer: Dale Mitchell

Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series is probably the biggest fluke in Major League history. Larsen, a journeyman pitcher at best, reportedly showed up at Yankee Stadium with a hangover when Yankees' manager Casey Stengel tabbed him to pitch against the powerful Brooklyn Dodgers' lineup. Larsen used a "no windup" style to confound the Dodgers. Larsen struck out Brooklyn pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell (batting for Sal Maglie) to end the ballgame. Yankees' catcher Yogi Berra then raced out and jumped in Larsen's arms, one of the most famous photos in baseball history.

Answer: Len Barker

Len Barker, an unheralded right-hander for the Indians, gained a piece of baseball history when he pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1981. Barker had to face nine "position" hitters. Willie Upshaw was the designated hitter for the Jays at Cleveland Stadium. Barker became the first pitcher to hurl a perfect game in the American League since that league's adoption of the DH rule in 1973. Blyleven, Monge, and Denny also pitched for Cleveland during the 1981 season.

Answer: Chicago White Sox

Southpaw Mark Buehrle was pitching for the Chicago White Sox on July 23, 2009. He threw a perfect game to defeat the Rays by the score of 5-0. Buehrle's perfect game was preserved by a spectacular catch from outfielder Dewayne Wise in the ninth inning. Buehrle's teammate Josh Field became the first player ever to belt a grand slam home run during a perfect game.

Answer: Dennis Martinez

Dennis Martinez, a native of Nicaragua, had a solid Major League career by winning 245 games. Martinez and his Montreal teammates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-0 at Chavez Ravine. In 1991, Navarro was piching for the Milwaukee Brewers, Rijo was playing for the Cincinnati Reds, and DeLeon was pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Answer: 33

David Wells, a hefty lefty from San Diego, did not look like a star athlete. However, the southpaw made baseball history in 1998 when he hurled a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Wells wore uniform number 33, and he was carried off the field by his jubilant teammates after the 4-0 victory.

The "Boomer" won 239 games during his Major League career. David Cone wore number 36 for the Yankes in 1998, and Andy Pettitte had uniform number 46 for the Bronx Bombers. Whitey Ford's number 16 was retired by the Yankees in 1974.

Answer: Cy Young

Denton True "Cy" Young had a remarkable Major League career, winning 511 games in his 22 years in the show. On May 5, 1904, Young threw a perfect game for Boston of the American League in a 3-0 triumph over the Philadelphia As. The game was played at the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Beantown. Young defeated Rube Waddell to get the victory.