Perfection

One of the loudest arguments about the extraordinary nature of the game of baseball is that anything can happen on any given day at the ballpark.

There are three accomplishments I think stand out among all others:

- pitching a no-hitter
- hitting for the cycle
- pitching a perfect game

Since what is now known as the Major Leagues began in 1871, more than 390,00o games have been played. Batters have slugged more than 3.5 million hits.

As of April 25, 2010 here are the astonishing statistics:

- Only 264 no-hitters have been thrown. That is one in approximately every 1477 games.

- Only 288 times has a player hit for the cycle in a game.

- Only 18 players in Major League Baseball history have pitched a perfect game. A perfect game is defined as a complete 9-inning game in which no runs reach base safely. No hits. No walks. No hit batsman. No runs. In short..."27 up. 27 down."

[Numbers and Operations]