Has Anyone Ever Pitched a Perfect Game in the World Series?

In short, the answer to the question, “Has anyone ever pitched a perfect game in the World Series?,” is yes. In this article, we break down the meaning of a perfect game and its rare significance, offer a detailed account of the lone perfect game in World Series history and other close calls and notable pitching performances in MLB playoff history. 

What is a Perfect Game?

A perfect game in baseball is an achievement where a pitcher (or combination of pitchers) faces the minimum number of batters possible, 27 in a nine-inning game, and retires each player without allowing any to reach base under any circumstance. This means no hits, no walks, no hit batters, no dropped-third strikes and no errors by the defense that allow a hitter to reach base. Pitching a perfect game is the pinnacle of excellence, marking a blend of skill, precision and often a bit of luck. 

As of 2024, there have only been 24 perfect games throughout a rich MLB history, and only one has occurred in the postseason…

Inside Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: A Historic Feat

The lone postseason perfect game came in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, when Don Larsen of the New York Yankees bounced back from a poor Game 2 performance to pitch the ultimate gem and shut down the Brooklyn Dodgers at Yankee Stadium, shifting the series tide in favor of the Yanks, who would go on to become champions. 

Larsen struck out seven batters and induced 13 groundouts and seven flyouts. The Yankees’ defense was solid behind him, with key plays contributing to the preservation of the perfect game.

Larsen’s perfect game has been immortalized in baseball lore, as there have been 119 World Series, meaning countless games, but only one perfect game. Larsen was named World Series MVP, and his achievement has been celebrated in various forms, including documentaries, books and annual commemorations. Larsen’s uniform from the game was sold for $756,000 at auction in 2012, highlighting its enduring value and significance.

Close Calls & Other Notable MLB Playoff Pitching Achievements 

While Don Larsen’s performance lives on in its singular glory, there have been other notable close calls in the World Series where pitchers have come very near to achieving a perfect game or no-hitter:

1. Bill Bevens, 1947 World Series (Game 4):
   • Nine years before Larsen made history, Bill Bevens of the New York Yankees took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against those same Brooklyn Dodgers. He was just one out away from completing the no-hitter when he gave up a double to Cookie Lavagetto, losing both the no-hitter and the game.
     
2. Roy Halladay, 2010 National League Division Series:
   • While not a World Series game, it’s worth mentioning Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched a no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds. This performance, along with his perfect game earlier in the regular season, made him one of the few to achieve such a feat in postseason play.
     
3. Madison Bumgarner, 2014 World Series (Game 5):
   • Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants was a postseason hero three different runs over, and in the 2014 World Series, he pitched a complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals in Game 5.
     
4. Sandy Koufax, 1965 World Series (Game 7):
   • Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched a complete game shutout against the Minnesota Twins in Game 7, allowing just three hits. Again, while not a no-hitter, it was an exemplary performance under the brightest of lights.

These instances highlight the difficulty and rarity of achieving a perfect game or no-hitter, especially on the World Series stage, where the stakes and pressure are incredibly high.