Yankees starter Domingo German threw a perfect game Wednesday, becoming the first pitcher since 2012 to achieve the elusive feat.
Let German's miraculous evening prove to the world that anything is possible. The 30-year-old right-hander, who's been suspended for domestic violence and for using foreign substances on the baseball, dropped his season ERA from 5.10 to 4.54 in one single start.
27 up. 27 down.
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2023
The 24th perfect game in AL/NL history belongs to Domingo Germán. pic.twitter.com/SyUJb0cKm6
Now German's name is etched in baseball's history books forever. Only 23 other pitchers have thrown a perfect game — not just a no-hitter — but not all of them had great careers.
With German top of mind, let's revisit the worst MLB pitchers to throw a perfect game.
Worst MLB Pitchers To Throw A Perfect Game
Baseball's a funny game, and these fellas channeled superstar talent for just a few hours. While not all of these players were "bad," per se, they all rank near the bottom of the prestigious 24-man list.
Philip Humber (CHW) - 2012
Ah yes, ChiSox legend Phil Humber. This one is weird.
On the road at Safeco Field, the 29-year-old raced through Seattle's lineup, wiping the M's for 27 outs and nine strikeouts on just 96 pitches.
Humber deservedly earned his praise that day, but finished the 2012 season with a 6.44 ERA and was gone from MLB after 2013. But for one day, he was the king of the South Side.
Savor the moment, Phil, you're a piece of baseball history now.
Dallas Braden (OAK) - 2010
It icks me out to consider Braden a bad pitcher because injuries robbed him of a full career, but the soft-tossing lefty is out of place on a list with Cy Young, Addie Joss, Roy Halladay, David Cone and others.
As I said, health was always an issue with Braden, but everything clicked during the 2010 season, when he spun a 3.50 ERA over 192.2 innings. And on May 9, he pitched better than he ever had his whole life.
In front of a home Oakland crowd, the A's starter carved the Rays for 27 outs on 109 pitches, striking out six. To make the feat more impressive, he did it hung over. Braden admitted staying out late drinking with friends the night before.
Unfortunately for Braden, he'd only pitch 18 major-league innings after the 2010 season as he battled shoulder injuries. He officially retired in 2014 at the age of 29.
Len Barker (CLE) - 1981
What?! You don't know Len Barker? Large Lenny?
Unless you were a diehard Cleveland fan in the early 1980s, you're probably unfamiliar with one Leonard Harold Barker, but, sure enough, he pitched a perfect game in 1981.
In a May 15 game at Cleveland Stadium against the Blue Jays, the 25-year-old reared back for 11 strikeouts on 103 pitches, earning 27 straight outs in two hours and three minutes.
Sadly for Barker, the thick mustache and old-timey leg kick only carried him so far. He was an All-Star in '81 but had a 4.52 ERA (96 ERA+) for the remaining four years of his MLB career.
