Monday, June 7, 2010

Counting Down a True Rarity: MLB's 20 Perfect Games


Part 17 of 21

16 David Cone, New York Yankees July 18, 1999


Something must have been in the air on July 18, 1999. David Cone gave the storied Yankees franchise another perfect game in just a little over a year.


Most interestingly, though, the masterpiece came on "Yogi Berra Day" at Yankee Stadium. The special event featured Don Larsen throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Berra, who caught the pitcher's famous World Series perfect game.


Perhaps destiny was in play, but if so, it was not without challenge. Cone dispensed the Montreal Expos that day on just 88 pitches, but had to endure a 33-minute rain delay along the way. He struck out 10 hitters in the contest and never worked a three-ball count.


Cone enjoyed a fine 17-year career, compiling a .606 winning percentage with a 194-126 record. Oddly enough, after pitching the greatest game of his career that ran his record to 10-4, the right-handed hurler suddenly lost effectiveness and was never the same pitcher again.


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