On May 5, 1904, Cy Young etched his name in baseball history by pitching the first perfect game in the World Series era, a feat that has only been achieved 20 other times in over a century.
Denton True "Cyclone" Young, the towering 6-foot-2-inch fireballer, became a legend in baseball annals on May 5, 1904, when he hurled the first perfect game of the modern era for the Boston Americans. Before a packed crowd of 10,267 at the former Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston, Young mowed down 27 straight Philadelphia Athletics batters, securing a 3-0 victory for his team.
This extraordinary feat, achieved in the early stages of the World Series era (1903-present), has only been matched by 20 other pitchers in the 119 years since. Perfect games are among the rarest accomplishments in all of sports, averaging less than one per 10,000 games.
Young's perfect game was not an isolated incident but part of a remarkable streak of dominance. He pitched 25 1/3 consecutive innings without allowing a hit and 45 innings without surrendering a run. These incredible performances stand as a testament to Young's exceptional skill and unwavering determination.
The magnitude of Young's achievement is further highlighted by the fact that no player in the modern era has matched his no-hit streak of over 25 innings. Dennis Eckersley comes closest, with 21 consecutive no-hit innings for the Cleveland Indians in 1977.
Young's nickname, "Cyclone," was a fitting tribute to his overpowering fastball, which he hurled with pinpoint accuracy. His dominance on the mound earned him the distinction of being the namesake of the Cy Young Award, which is presented annually to the best pitcher in each Major League Baseball league.
Young's 511 career wins, an astonishing record that remains unmatched today, further solidify his status as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Walter Johnson, who ranks second on the all-time wins list, falls well short of Young's remarkable total.
In 1937, Young was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a testament to his immeasurable impact on the game. The Hall of Fame aptly notes that Young "left a legacy as a pitcher that is unlikely ever to be matched."
Baseball fans have not witnessed a perfect game in over a decade, with Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners being the last to achieve the feat in 2012. However, Cy Young's perfect game remains an enduring symbol of excellence and a constant reminder of the extraordinary achievements that can be accomplished in the realm of baseball.
