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Newspaper
The Chronicle Telegram
Location
Elyria, Ohio, United States of America
Date
May 16, 1981
Page
6
A collage of famous perfect games and near-misses shows how pitchers like Richmond Ward Joss Larsen Bunning Haddix Hunter and others rewrote the tale of perfection. From 1880 to 1968 the sport has seen rare feats and strange twists that challenge the notion of flawless pitching.
A compiled roll of perfect games in MLB history listing date, pitcher, team, opponent, and final score. Entries include John L. Richmond 1880 Worcester vs Cleveland. John M. Ward 1880 Providence vs Buffalo. Cy Young 1904 Boston vs Philadelphia. Adrian C. Joss 1908 Cleveland vs Chicago. Ernest G. Shore 1917 Boston vs Washington. Charles Robertson 1922 Chicago vs Detroit. Don Larsen 1956 World Series New York vs Brooklyn. Jim Bunning 1964 Philadelphia vs New York. Sandy Koufax 1965 Los Angeles vs Chicago. Catfish Hunter 1968 Oakland vs Minnesota. Len Barker 1981 Cleveland vs Toronto.
Barker pitched a 1968 May 8 perfect game vigil as Oakland’s Hunter faced Toronto. He struck out 11 after the fourth with strong defense backing him including Tom Veryzer Duane Kuiper and Manny. Cleveland scored all three runs in the first, Manning, Mayberry and Hargrove driving in runs. Leal pitched well for Toronto but Barker’s gem overshadowed the early rally.
After the game, Barker planned to call his mother in Trevose Pennsylvania where Len was raised. He noted he was born in Fort Knox Kentucky as a long path of white towels lined his locker and three bottles of champagne awaited him.
Cleveland pitcher Len Barker, who threw the majors first perfect game in 13 years, never pitched a high school no hitter at Neshaminy High School in Trevose Bucks County. He finished with an 11-4 record, best in 1971 as a sophomore 6-0, junior 2-2, senior 3-2, and did pitch a two hitter in 1973. He also played football and basketball at Neshaminy.
Baseball summary recounts Toronto Blue Jays at bat by inning with players Griffin Moseby Bell Mayberry Upshaw Garcia Rosetti Ainge Martinez Kuiper Harrah Manning and others. runs not listed, but defensive plays noted. Final lineups show substitutions Woods Whitt. multiple groundouts and strikeouts across nine innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Harvey Haddix reflects on Len Barker's perfect game and his own 12 perfect innings in 1959, noting Barker's calm ninth inning while acknowledging the rare mix of skill and luck behind a perfect performance.
Jim Hunter known as Catfish recalls learning his Oakland perfect game against Minnesota on May 8, 1968. He says he thought it was a no hitter until Sal Bando told him it was perfect. He credits good stuff and team effort, noting divine luck that night.
Jim Bunning, famous for his 1964 perfect game, congratulates Len Barker of the Indians for a perfect effort against the Blue Jays. Bunning recalls his own no hitter and discusses the ninth inning pressure, rest needs, and hopes Barker fares well in his next start.
Elyria driver Bob Frey completed the final 170 mph portion of his rookie test at Indianapolis with four veteran inspectors giving the thumbs up. He drew qualifying No. 38 as 96 of 33-car field remain to qualify, and he logged an hour of crowded-track practice hoping to exceed 180 mph.
An all day rainfall flooded the pit area at Lorain County International Speedway forcing cancellation of the Friday night racing program.
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