June 21, 1964 Jim Bunning, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher, made history with a perfect game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. The game was the first of a doubleheader, and Bunning's performance helped the Phillies win 6-0. It was the first perfect game in the National League since 1890.

On Fathers Day, in the intense 90-degree heat, Bunning, a father of seven, achieved the incredible feat by striking out 10 Mets batters, including pinch-hitter John Stephenson to seal the game. Out of his 90 pitches, only 21 were outside the strike zone, and he faced a three-ball count just twice. His pitch count by inning was as follows: 8, 11, 8, 12, 9, 7, 10, 12, 13.

Bunning's success came after he had already thrown a no-hitter while playing for the Detroit Tigers. That 1958 no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox was capped off by retiring future Hall of Famer Ted Williams. In contrast to his earlier no-hitter, Bunning felt he was a better pitcher now, citing his strong slider and curveball as his standout pitches.

In the fifth inning of the perfect game, Mets batter Jesse Gonder hit a sharp line drive that second baseman Tony Taylor managed to stop with a sensational diving play, preventing the Mets from even getting a potential hit. Throughout the game, while a no-hitter is traditionally off-limits for discussion, Bunning and his teammates were unusually vocal about it. "I didnt want anyone tightening up https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/orion_kerkering_jersey-251, most of all, myself, " Bunning later explained. "By the fifth inning, I knew I had a chance."

Manager Gene Mauch noticed Bunnings confidence early on. "He was moving the infielders around early, " Mauch recalled, adding that Bunning was yelling encouragement to his teammates during the final innings. Teammates like right fielder Johnny Callison found his behavior unusual. "It was the strangest thing, " Callison said. "You dont talk about a no-hitter, but Bunning was going up and down the bench telling everyone what was going on."

With the Mets fans roaring and the game on the line, Bunning took the mound for the ninth inning. At two outs away from history, Bunning called his catcher https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/max_kepler_jersey-281, Gus Triandos, to the mound for a brief moment of levity. "He asked me to tell him a joke, " Triandos recalled. "I couldnt think of anything, so I just laughed."

Bunning faced pinch-hitter George Altman, who he knew would be the batter. With a 1-2 count, Bunning recorded his ninth strikeout. Then, with pinch-hitter John Stephenson at the plate and a.047 batting average, Bunning finished the game. "I knew if I got Stephenson with two outs, I had it, " Bunning said. With curveballs to spare, Bunning struck him out to complete the perfect game.

As the final pitch settled, Bunning's teammates rushed the field to celebrate, while Mets fans continued to cheer. Bunning's wife, Mary, and their oldest daughter, Barbara, had traveled to New York to witness the historic game, while the rest of the family watched from home. Afterward, Mary joined Jim on the field, sharing a hug and kiss.

Following the game, Bunning appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, where he received $1, 000. "We added a pool and bathhouse to our home in Kentucky, " Bunning joked later. Despite the attention Bunning received, rookie Rick Wise, just 18 years old, also made his mark, winning the second game of the doubleheader with an 8-2 score for his first Major League win. Seven years later, Wise would achieve his own place in history with a no-hitter against the Reds.

Bunnings perfect game was not only his own achievement but also a significant moment for the Phillies, as it marked the first no-hitter by a Phillies pitcher since 1906. The only other pitcher to have thrown a no-hitter in both leagues was the legendary Cy Young, who did so in 1887 in the National League and later in the American League in 1904 and 1908. Bunnings gem was an unforgettable chapter in baseball history.









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