Top 10 Perfect Games in MLB History

A perfect game is one of the rarest achievements in baseball. A pitcher and his defence retire every batter faced and allow no one to reach base. That means twenty seven up and twenty seven down in a nine inning game. The moment feels electric for fans and the box score reads like a short piece of history. In this article we pick ten of the most memorable perfect games in Major League Baseball history. The tone is simple and direct so you can read like a fan telling a story. Each entry explains what made the game special and why it still matters.

Top 10 Perfect Games in MLB History

• Don Larsen 1956 World Series

  Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in MLB World Series history. That fact alone makes the night unforgettable. He faced a strong batting order and produced pitch after pitch that matched the moment. The game came with huge stakes and a national audience. The catcher of record and the team defence all worked in sync. For baseball fans the picture of Larsen leaving the mound is one of the sport most lasting images.

• Sandy Koufax 1965

  Sandy Koufax was at the peak of his career when he threw his perfect game. He used a fastball and sharp breaking ball to dominate hitters. The game highlighted a mix of power and control that made Koufax a legend. His performance showed how electric pitching can shape a championship run and how a single great game can define a season.

• Jim Bunning 1964

  Jim Bunning threw a perfect game that helped show how modern pitching can succeed with focus and routine. Bunning attacked the strike zone and relied on crisp mechanics to get weak contact and strikeouts. His perfect game came during a stretch where his command matched his work ethic. Moments like this build the idea that preparation on the mound matters as much as raw talent.

• David Wells 1998

  David Wells, pitching for New York, threw a perfect game MLB that mixed craft and grit. He used movement and location to frustrate hitters. Wells game is a good example of how veteran experience helps in big moments. The outing felt like the reward for many seasons of steady work and study of opposing hitters.

• David Cone 1999

  David Cone followed with a perfect game of his own and added a memorable style note by marking the day with a high pitch count but steady focus. Cone showed how a pitcher can handle pressure and keep rhythm through nine frames. His mix of pitches and the ability to change tempo forced batters into weak swings and pop ups that the defence finished cleanly.

• Randy Johnson 2004

  Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game late in his career and proved that power and control can come together even after many seasons. His height and release point create a tough look for hitters and on this night he owned the plate. Johnson striking out many batters and still working in quick rhythm made the game feel inevitable in the late innings.

• Mark Buehrle 2009

  Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game that relied on movement and the ability to induce ground balls. He was not a flamethrower yet he used craft to get the job done. Buehrle also completed a marathon game with class later that season when he threw a no hitter in a long relief outing. His perfect game shows how consistency and pitching to contact works when the defence is ready.

• Dallas Braden 2010

  Dallas Braden recorded a perfect game that came with a strong local story. He attacked hitters and mixed pitches well while the defence made plays behind him. The game captured the moment of a rising pitcher proving he could handle big stage pressure. It is the kind of perfect game that also becomes part of a club and fan community memory.

• Roy Halladay 2010

  Roy Halladay threw a perfect game in his first season with a new team and later threw a no hitter in the postseason. His regular season perfect game was a demonstration of preparation and elite command. He worked the corners and changed eye levels to keep hitters off balance. Halladay outing became a statement that a pitcher can dominate in multiple contexts when he brings peak form.

• Felix Hernandez 2012

  Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game that felt like the sum of his finest traits: excellent control, a fast arm and the ability to make big pitches under stress. He mixed a sharp fastball with a sweeping breaking ball to confuse hitters. The finish of the game in front of home fans created a special electric feeling in the park. It was a night fans would retell for years.

What Makes These Games Stand Out

Pitching Command

All ten outings share a high level of command. The pitchers hit their spots and avoided walks. That control decreases baserunners and forces hitters to swing when they must. Command is the backbone of a perfect game.

Defense Support

No pitcher completes a perfect game alone. Great defence turned potential hits into outs and made the routine plays in the right moments. Many perfect games include one or two breathtaking plays by fielders that keep the bid alive.

Mental Strength

Pitchers who go deep into a perfect game show calm and focus. They work pitch by pitch and do not get ahead of themselves. The ability to block out crowd noise or the scope of the moment is a key part of the performance.

Game Plan and Mixing Pitches

Successful perfect games use variety. Pitchers change speeds, move the ball and mix breaking pitches with fastballs. That makes it hard for hitters to time and often leads to weak contact or swings and misses.

Conclusion

Perfect games are rare and special. Each of the ten games above brought a different style but all showed excellence under pressure. Fans remember the final out and the feeling in the stadium when the crowd realises what just happened. These performances teach a clear lesson: preparation, command and teamwork create moments that last. If you want to watch great pitching start with these games and notice how small details lead to a perfect night on the mound.