David Cone's perfect game

Last updated

David Cone's perfect game
David Cone 1999.jpg
Yankees pitcher David Cone, eleven days after his perfect game.
Montreal Expos New York Yankees
0 6
123456789 R H E
Montreal Expos 000000000000
New York Yankees 05000001X680
DateJuly 18, 1999
Venue Yankee Stadium
City Bronx, New York
Managers
Television WNYW
TV announcers Bobby Murcer (play-by-play)
Tim McCarver (color commentary)
Radio WABC
Radio announcers John Sterling (play-by-play) Michael Kay (color commentary)

On July 18, 1999, David Cone of the New York Yankees pitched the 16th perfect game in Major League Baseball (MLB) history and the third in team history, and the first no-hit game in regular season interleague play. Cone pitched it against the Montreal Expos at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, with 41,930 fans in attendance. The game took 2 hours and 16 minutes, from 2:05 PM ET to 4:54 PM ET. The game was interrupted by a 33-minute rain delay in the bottom of the third inning in the middle of an at-bat for Tino Martinez. As part of the day's "Yogi Berra Day" festivities honoring the Yankees' former catcher, before the game, former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the ceremonial first pitch to Berra; the two comprised the battery for Larsen's perfect game in 1956.

Contents

Cone's perfect game was the 247th no-hitter in MLB history, and 11th in Yankees history. The previous perfect game in both MLB and Yankee history was 14 months prior on May 17, 1998, when David Wells pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium; Wells' perfect game was also the most recent no-hitter in franchise history at the time. Cone's perfect game gave the Yankees the record for the franchise with most perfect games, breaking a two-perfect game tie with the Cleveland Guardians. Since Cone's perfect game, the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox have recorded their second perfect games, with the White Sox tying the Yankees with a third perfect game in 2012. However, the Yankees once again took the lead on June 28, 2023, when pitcher Domingo Germán threw his own perfect game against Oakland, now standing alone with four. To date, Cone's perfect game is the only one achieved in regular-season interleague play. [1]

Background

Yogi Berra Day

The Yankees' third perfect game was witnessed by the battery that executed its first perfect game. Before the game began, Don Larsen, who pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Yogi Berra, who caught that game. [2] It was Yogi Berra Day at the stadium, as he had recently reconciled with owner George Steinbrenner. [3]

Game synopsis

Cone never worked a count more unfavorable to the pitcher than 2–0. A 33-minute rain delay interrupted the game in the third inning. [4] The Yankees scored most of their runs in the second inning. Chili Davis walked, then Ricky Ledée hit a two-run home run into the upper right field deck. Scott Brosius was hit by a pitch, then scored on a double by Joe Girardi. Girardi was tagged out between second and third trying to stretch the hit into a triple. Chuck Knoblauch worked a walk and then Derek Jeter hit a home run to make it 5–0. In the eighth inning, O'Neill led off with a double to right and scored on a single to center by Bernie Williams. In the third inning, Cone recorded three strikeouts. In the eighth inning Knoblauch, whose defense had significantly deteriorated since the 1997 season, made a good defensive play when Jose Vidro hit a ball hard between first and second. Knoblauch moved quickly to his left, fielded it cleanly, and made a strong throw to first, retiring Vidro and preserving the perfect game.

9th inning

Cone struck out Chris Widger swinging to start the ninth. Ryan McGuire pinch hit for Shane Andrews and hit a soft fly ball to left field. Ricky Ledée seemed to momentarily lose the ball in the sun, but made the play, and would say afterward he was not sure how he did so. The last batter, Orlando Cabrera, popped up to third baseman Scott Brosius in foul territory to end the game. [4] Immediately afterwards, Cone fell on his knees and into the arms of his catcher Girardi. Cone's teammates then lifted him off the field. When Cone returned to his locker, Berra and Larsen were waiting for him, and together embraced him. [5]

Box score

July 18, Yankee Stadium, New York, New York [6]
Team123456789 R H E
Montreal000000000000
New York05000001X680
WP: David Cone (10–4)   LP: Javier Vasquez (2–5)
Home runs:
MTL: None
NYY: Ricky Ledee (3), Derek Jeter (16)

Other info

Yankee defense

David Cone had nearly the same Yankee lineup behind him for his perfect game as David Wells did. The only exceptions were that Cone had Ledee as his left fielder and Davis as his designated hitter, while Wells was backed by Chad Curtis and Darryl Strawberry respectively. In addition, Jorge Posada, who had caught Wells' perfect game, was on the bench for Cone's perfect game.

Aftermath

After his perfect game, Cone seemed to decline rapidly. He never threw another shutout in his career. In 2000, he posted a career-worst 4–14 record [7] with a 6.91 ERA. In the 2000 World Series, he faced one batter, Mike Piazza in Game 4. It was a key at-bat, though; the Mets had two runners on, and were threatening to take the lead. Yankees' manager Joe Torre unconventionally lifted starter Denny Neagle after just 4+2⁄3 innings and went to Cone, who induced a Mike Piazza pop-up to end the fifth inning. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 World Series</span> 97th edition of Major League Baseballs championship series

The 2001 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2001 season. The 97th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion Arizona Diamondbacks and the three-time defending World Series champions and American League (AL) champion New York Yankees. The underdog Diamondbacks defeated the heavily favored Yankees, four games to three to win the series. Considered one of the greatest World Series of all time, its memorable aspects included two extra-inning games and three late-inning comebacks. Diamondbacks pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named World Series co-Most Valuable Players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yogi Berra</span> American baseball player, manager, coach (1925–2015)

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra was an American professional baseball catcher who later took on the roles of manager and coach. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), all but the last for the New York Yankees. He was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 World Series championships as a player—more than any other player in MLB history. Berra had a career batting average of .285, while hitting 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. He is one of only six players to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perfect game (baseball)</span> Baseball game in which at least one team has no baserunners

In baseball, a perfect game is a game in which one or more pitchers complete a minimum of nine innings with no batter from the opposing team reaching any base. To achieve a perfect game, a team must not allow any opposing player to reach base by any means: no hits, walks, hit batsmen, uncaught third strikes, catcher's or fielder's interference, or fielding errors which allow a batter to reach base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Cone</span> American baseball player and analyst (born 1963)

David Brian Cone is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, and current color commentator for the New York Yankees on the YES Network and WPIX as well as for ESPN on Sunday Night Baseball. A third round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1981 MLB Draft, he made his MLB debut in 1986 and continued playing until 2003, pitching for five different teams. Cone batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Larsen</span> American professional baseball pitcher (1929–2020)

Don James Larsen was an American professional baseball pitcher. During a 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he pitched from 1953 to 1967 for seven different teams: the St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees (1955–1959), Kansas City Athletics (1960–1961), Chicago White Sox (1961), San Francisco Giants (1962–1964), Houston Colt .45's / Astros (1964–65), and Chicago Cubs (1967).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Guidry</span> American baseball player and coach

Ronald Ames Guidry, nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. Guidry was also the pitching coach of the Yankees from 2006 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Brosius</span> American baseball player

Scott David Brosius is an American former professional baseball third baseman for the Oakland Athletics (1991–1997) and the New York Yankees (1998–2001) of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was an MLB All-Star in 1998 and won a Gold Glove Award in 1999. Brosius was a member of three consecutive World Series champions with the Yankees from 1998 to 2000 and won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 World Series</span> 1998 Major League Baseball season

The 1998 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1998 season. The 94th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion New York Yankees and the National League (NL) champion San Diego Padres. The Yankees swept the Padres in four games to win their second World Series championship in three years and their 24th overall. Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 World Series</span> 95th edition of Major League Baseballs championship series

The 1999 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1999 season. The 95th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the defending American League (AL) and World Series champion New York Yankees and the National League (NL) champion Atlanta Braves in a rematch of the 1996 World Series, in which the Yankees prevailed. The Yankees swept the 1999 Series in four games for their second consecutive title, third in four years, and 25th overall. It was the Yankees' third straight defeat of the Braves franchise in the Fall Classic. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was named the World Series Most Valuable Player. This was the first World Series to feature both #1 seeds from the AL and NL, a phenomenon that has only occurred twice since, in 2013 and 2020.

The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees of the American League and the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League in October 1956. The series was a rematch of the 1955 World Series. It was the final Subway Series in the Fall Classic until 44 years later in 2000, as the Dodgers and the New York Giants moved to California following the 1957 season. Additionally, it was the last time a New York City team represented the National League in a World Series until 1969, when the New York Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in five games.

The 1961 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1961 season. The 58th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the American League (AL) champion New York Yankees (109–53) against the National League (NL) champion Cincinnati Reds (93–61). The Yankees won in five games to earn their 19th championship in 39 seasons. Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, having won two games while throwing 14 scoreless innings.

The 1958 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1958 season. The 55th edition of the World Series, it matched the American League champion New York Yankees and the National League champion Milwaukee Braves. In a reversal from 1957, the Yankees defeated the Braves in seven games to win their 18th title, and their seventh in 10 years. With that victory, the Yankees became only the second team in Major League Baseball history to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win a best-of-seven World Series; the first was the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925. These teams would meet again in the fall classic 38 years later—by that time, the Braves had moved to Atlanta. As of 2023, this is the most recent World Series featuring the two previous Series winning teams.

The 1957 World Series featured the defending champion New York Yankees of the American League playing against the Milwaukee Braves of the National League. After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, the Braves came back in 1957 to win their first pennant since moving from Boston in 1953. The Braves won the Series in seven games, behind Lew Burdette's three complete game victories. The Braves would be the only team besides the Yankees, Dodgers, or Giants to win a World Series title in the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 American League Championship Series</span> 30th edition of Major League Baseballs American League Championship Series

The 1999 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a matchup between the East Division Champion New York Yankees (98–64) and the Wild Card Boston Red Sox (94–68). The Yankees had advanced to the Series after sweeping the West Division Champion Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series for the second consecutive year, and the Red Sox advanced by beating the Central Division Champion Cleveland Indians three games to two. The Yankees won the series, 4-1. They won their 36th American League pennant and went on to win the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.

The 1998 San Diego Padres season was the 30th season in franchise history. The Padres won the National League championship and advanced to the World Series for the second time in franchise history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Larsen's perfect game</span> Perfect game pitched in the 1956 World Series

On October 8, 1956, in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, pitcher Don Larsen of the New York Yankees threw a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. It was the only no-hitter in World Series history until the Houston Astros pitching staff of Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly threw a combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. It remains the only perfect game in the history of the World Series.

References

  1. ↑ "'FOR BASEBALL JUNKIES- Where baseball fans of all ages come to discuss the biggest stories in baseball and the history of America's pastime. Trivia, Opinion, Top 10 Lists, Fantasy and more.'". Baseballjunkies.blogspot.com. July 1, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  2. ↑ "David Cone Perfect Game Box Score by Baseball Almanac". Baseball-almanac.com. July 18, 1999. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Don Mattingly At Yogi Berra Day July 18, 1999". Donniebaseball.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Baseball's Best | MLB.com: Programming". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Wild Pitcher - Nymag".
  6. ↑ "Montreal Expos at New York Yankees Box Score, July 18, 1999".
  7. ↑ "Ruminations – November 19, 2000". NetShrine. November 19, 2000. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Classic Yankees: David Cone". Bronx Baseball Daily. September 16, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.