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- ⚾ Len Barker is PERFECT
⚾ Len Barker is PERFECT
Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians pitches a perfect game the first perfect game since Jim “Catfish” Hunter’s masterpiece in 1968
May 15, 1981, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians pitches a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Barker wins a 3-0 decision in hurling the first perfect game since Jim “Catfish” Hunter’s masterpiece in 1968.
May 15, 1981: A Perfect Night in Cleveland
Who knew a cold, misty Friday night in Cleveland would turn into baseball history? Just 7,290 fans braved the 47-degree start (dropping into the 30s by the ninth inning) to see the Indians face the Blue Jays. It was springtime in Cleveland—but no one saw this coming.
Not even Len Barker.
Barker, the Indians’ 6’5” right-hander, nearly skipped the game. His older brother was flying in from Florida, and rain delays seemed inevitable. But pitching coach Dave Duncan had a hunch. “Lennie’s curveball is better than I’ve ever seen,” he told manager Dave Garcia. “He’s going to have an outstanding game.”
That curveball—and pinpoint control—stunned Toronto. Barker didn’t go to a single three-ball count all night. With help from sharp defense and catcher Ron Hassey’s pitch-calling, Barker struck out 11 Blue Jays, all swinging.
In the stands, fans shivered. Across Pennsylvania, Barker’s father-in-law scrambled for a radio signal. In the ninth, Barker’s nerves hit. “My legs were quivering,” he said. But three quick outs later, Rick Manning settled under a fly ball in center—and history was made.
Len Barker had thrown the 10th perfect game in MLB history.
Toronto's players were gracious. “I’m jealous,” said pitcher Dave Stieb. “Lenny Barker made it look easy.” Blue Jays starter Luis Leal added, “If you have to lose, I’m glad it was to a perfect game.”
It was Cleveland’s first no-hitter since 1977, and remains the last perfect game in franchise history.
Sometimes baseball surprises you—especially on a chilly Friday night when only a few thousand show up.
Today’s line up: Click to Listen
May 15,1960 New York Yankees at Washington Senators
May 15, 1971 Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees
May 15, 1971 Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox
Did you know?
May 15, 1935, future Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig steals home during the New York Yankees’ 4-0 victory. The run-scoring steal is the last of Gehrig’s 15 career stolen bases of home plate, all of which come as part of double steals.
TRIVIA:
Since 1955 not including a strike or covid year the American League strikeout leader has had less than 200 strikeouts three times. Can you name them and the year?
Hint: Answer below
May 15, 1941, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees starts his record-setting 56-game hitting streak by collecting a single in four at-bats against the Chicago White Sox. DiMaggio’s first victim is Sox pitcher Ed Smith. Joe D's hit goes unnoticed as the Yankees lose, 13 - 1. Taffy Wright homers and drives in four White Sox runs, the 8th straight game he's driven in a run.
May 15, 1946 -- Mel Harder and Steve Gromek fire back-to-back shutouts over the A's as Cleveland wins two, 3 - 0 and 5 - 0.
May 15, 1951 -- At Fenway Park, the Red Sox celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first American League game in Boston. On hand are 29 old-timers who played, managed, or umpired in the AL in that first year including Connie Mack, Dummy Hoy, Cy Young, Hugh Duffy, Clark Griffith, Tom Connolly, Billy Sullivan, Wid Conroy, Bill Bradley and Ollie Pickering.
May 15, 1952, Virgil “Fire” Trucks of the Detroit Tigers pitches the first no-hitter of his major league career. The 33-year-old right-hander achieves baseball immortality against the Washington Senators. Trucks had fired four no-hitters during his minor league career.
May 15, 1960, Chicago Cubs right-hander Don Cardwell hurls a no-hitter. Cardwell defeats the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, at Wrigley Field. Cardwell, a recent trade acquisition from the Philadelphia Phillies, The Winston-Salem, NC native becomes the first man to pitch a no-hitter in his first start after being traded.
May 15, 1970 -- At Connie Mack Stadium. in front of only 6,300 fans, pitching the day after the Mets have a day off, ace Tom Seaver matches Gary Gentry by allowing one hit in beating the Phillies and Woodie Fryman, 4 - 0. Gentry tossed a one hitter vs the Chicago Cubs on May 13th, winning the contest 4-0. The two consecutive one-hitters tie a major league record.
May 15, 1973 -- Royal's Stadium debut season see's California's Nolan Ryan strike out 12, including the side in the 1st, and hurls his first career no-hitter in beating Kansas City, 3 - 0. For C Jeff Torborg, it is his third no-hitter, he also caught Sandy Koufax’ last no-hitter. Shortstop Rudy Meoli preserves the no-no with a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in the 8th. It is the first of a record seven no-hitters the "Ryan Express" will throw during his career, including another one in two months.LISTEN HERE
May 15, 1984 -- At Busch Stadium, the St Louis Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves, 9 - 1, Cardinals starter Joaquin Andujar, a poor hitter, in the bottom of the 8th hits 2 out grand slam off Jeff Dedmon. Just before his blast, Andujar looks into the Cards' dugout, then gestures to the right-field stands.
May 15, 1991 -- Paul Molitor of the Milwaukee Brewers hits for the cycle in a 4 - 2 victory over Minnesota. Molitor triples in the 1st, singles in the 3rd, doubles in the 5th, and homers in the 7th.
Quote of the day:
“I knew that I had good stuff, maybe awesome stuff,” said Len Barker. “But I really didn’t start thinking about it until the last inning. My big pitch was my curveball. I had total command. I could throw anything, anywhere I wanted. And (catcher) Ron Hassey called a great game. Everybody was great.”
Milestones
Birthdays:Highlights: Bill North | Debuts:Notable: Roger Clemens |
Final Games:Highlights: Freddie Lindstrom | Passings:Notable: Goose Goslin |
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