On September 16, 1988, a significant event in Major League Baseball history occurred: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning pitched a rare perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing a 1-0 victory for the Reds.
Tom Browning's Historic Perfect Game
This memorable night unfolded at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Tom Browning etched his name into the annals of baseball by becoming only the 12th pitcher in modern Major League history to throw a perfect game.
A perfect game in baseball is one of the sport's rarest feats. It requires a pitcher to complete an entire game (at least nine innings) without any opposing player reaching base, for any reason. This means there can be:
- No hits
- No walks (base on balls)
- No errors by fielders
- No hit batters
- No dropped third strikes
- No other means for a batter to reach base
In Browning's performance, he faced the minimum 27 batters over nine innings, retiring each one of them without incident. The 1-0 score highlights the absolute dominance of his pitching, with the Reds' offense providing just enough support to secure the win.
Key Details of the Game
To summarize the key facts of this historic event:
| Event Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | September 16, 1988 |
| Teams Involved | Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Key Player | Tom Browning (Cincinnati Reds Pitcher) |
| Historic Feat | Pitched a Perfect Game |
| Final Score | Cincinnati Reds 1, Los Angeles Dodgers 0 |
| Significance | 12th perfect game in modern MLB history |
The Rarity of a Perfect Game
The extreme rarity of a perfect game underscores its importance in baseball history. Compared to no-hitters (where runners can reach base via walks or errors), perfect games demand flawless execution from the pitcher and impeccable defense from the entire team. Tom Browning's perfect game remains a highlight of the 1988 baseball season and a career-defining moment for the pitcher.
