A "perfect perfect game" is simply another way of referring to a perfect game in baseball, an incredibly rare and supreme achievement for a pitcher or combination of pitchers. It represents the pinnacle of pitching dominance, leaving no room for error or a single opposing batter to reach base.
The Ultimate Pitching Achievement
At its core, a perfect game is a baseball game where a pitcher (or pitchers) completes at least nine innings with no opposing team batter reaching base. This means:
- No hits: The opposing team records zero base hits.
- No walks: No batter is issued a base on balls.
- No fielding errors: No errors are committed by the fielding team that allow a batter to reach base.
- No hit batsmen: No batter is hit by a pitch.
- No reaching base via dropped third strike or fielder's choice: Every batter faced must be retired directly, without any exceptions.
In essence, every single batter who steps up to the plate is retired in sequence, without ever occupying a base. For a standard nine-inning game, this means 27 consecutive outs.
Key Elements of a Perfect Game
To truly understand the "perfect" nature, consider these critical factors:
- Absolute Zero Tolerance: Unlike a no-hitter, where walks or errors might still allow a runner on base (who then cannot score without a hit), a perfect game demands absolute perfection. No runner can ever be on base, at any point, for any reason.
- Team Effort (Mostly Pitcher): While primarily credited to the pitcher(s), a perfect game also reflects exceptional defensive play, as fielders must make every play cleanly to prevent errors that could put a runner on base. However, the pitcher's role in retiring batters without allowing any contact that could result in a hit is paramount.
- Historical Rarity: Perfect games are among the rarest feats in sports. As of late 2023, there have been only 24 perfect games pitched in Major League Baseball history. This scarcity underscores the immense skill, precision, and a touch of luck required to achieve such a feat.
The term "perfect perfect game" emphasizes the absolute and unblemished nature of this achievement, as there is no higher level of pitching mastery possible in baseball. It is, by definition, already perfect.
