An immaculate inning in baseball is a truly remarkable feat that showcases the precision and skill of a pitcher. It occurs when a pitcher strikes out all three batters they face in a half-inning, throwing exactly nine pitches, with all nine pitches being strikes. This means that the pitcher throws nothing but strikes and achieves a perfect inning in terms of strikeouts.
As of September 27, 2022, there have been a total of 112 immaculate innings recorded in the history of Major League Baseball. This statistic highlights just how rare and difficult it is for a pitcher to accomplish this extraordinary feat. To put it into perspective, there have been more perfect games thrown in baseball history than immaculate innings.
During the 2022 season, six pitchers managed to achieve an immaculate inning, adding to the illustrious list of those who have accomplished this feat. Notably, Sandy Koufax, Chris Sale, and Max Scherzer have each recorded three immaculate innings throughout their careers, further solidifying their status as exceptional pitchers.
What makes the immaculate inning even more impressive is the fact that it requires not only precision but also the ability to deceive and overpower the opposing batters. The pitcher must consistently locate their pitches within the strike zone, while also generating enough velocity and movement to keep the hitters off-balance and unable to make solid contact.
In terms of statistical rarity, an immaculate inning is actually more uncommon than a perfect game. A perfect game, where a pitcher retires all 27 batters faced without allowing a single baserunner, has occurred 23 times in MLB history. In contrast, there have only been 112 immaculate innings, making it a truly remarkable achievement.
The term “immaculate inning” was first coined by baseball statistician Bill James in the 1980s. Since then, it has become a recognized and celebrated accomplishment in the baseball community. When a pitcher achieves an immaculate inning, it often becomes a memorable moment in their career and a testament to their exceptional pitching ability.
The immaculate inning is a testament to the precision, skill, and dominance of a pitcher. It represents a rare and extraordinary feat that showcases the artistry of the game. With only 112 occurrences in the history of Major League Baseball, the immaculate inning remains a cherished achievement that adds to the lore and excitement of the sport.
How Rare Is The Immaculate Inning?
The immaculate inning is an extremely rare occurrence in baseball. It refers to a half-inning in which a pitcher strikes out all three batters using the minimum nine pitches. This feat requires exceptional accuracy, precision, and dominance on the part of the pitcher.
To put it into perspective, there have been a total of 112 immaculate innings in the entire history of baseball as of September 27, 2022. Considering the vast number of games played and the countless innings pitched over the years, this statistic highlights just how uncommon and extraordinary the immaculate inning truly is.
During the 2022 season alone, six pitchers managed to achieve this remarkable feat. These pitchers exhibited remarkable control and pitch execution, fooling the opposing batters with their arsenal of pitches.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that a select few pitchers have achieved the immaculate inning multiple times throughout their careers. Legendary pitchers Sandy Koufax, Chris Sale, and Max Scherzer have each accomplished this feat three times, further emphasizing its rarity.
The immaculate inning is an incredibly rare occurrence in baseball. With only 112 instances in the entire history of the sport, it is a testament to the extraordinary skill and precision required to achieve this feat.
Has Anyone Pitched An Immaculate Game?
Several pitchers in Major League Baseball have achieved the rare feat of pitching an immaculate game. An immaculate game occurs when a pitcher throws a perfect game, meaning no opposing player reaches base, while also striking out every batter they face, resulting in a total of 27 consecutive strikeouts on just 81 pitches.
As of September 2021, there have been only nine recorded instances of an immaculate game in MLB history. The pitchers who have accomplished this remarkable feat are as follows:
1. John Clarkson – On July 27, 1889, Clarkson, a pitcher for the Boston Beaneaters, threw the first recorded immaculate game against the Philadelphia Quakers.
2. Lefty Grove – Grove, a Hall of Fame pitcher, achieved an immaculate game on July 25, 1928, while playing for the Philadelphia Athletics against the Cleveland Indians.
3. Billy Chapel – Now, Billy Chapel is a fictional character portrayed by Kevin Costner in the movie “For Love of the Game.” In the film, Chapel, a Detroit Tigers pitcher, throws an immaculate game against the New York Yankees.
4. Randy Johnson – On May 18, 2004, Johnson, a dominant left-handed pitcher, achieved an immaculate game while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Atlanta Braves. This made him the fourth pitcher to accomplish this feat.
5. Pedro Martinez – Martinez, another Hall of Famer, pitched an immaculate game on May 18, 2002, while playing for the Boston Red Sox against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
6. Felix Hernandez – On August 15, 2012, Hernandez, known as “King Felix,” threw an immaculate game for the Seattle Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays. He became the third pitcher in 2012 to accomplish this feat.
7. Max Scherzer – Scherzer, a prominent pitcher for the Washington Nationals, achieved an immaculate game on May 14, 2018, against the Tampa Bay Rays. This made him the fifth pitcher to accomplish this feat.
8. Chris Sale – Sale, a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, threw an immaculate game on May 8, 2019, against the Baltimore Orioles. He became the sixth pitcher to achieve this rare feat.
9. Tyler Glasnow – Glasnow, a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, achieved an immaculate game on August 11, 2021, against the Cleveland Guardians. He became the most recent pitcher to accomplish this feat.
It is worth noting that an immaculate game is even more rare than a perfect game, as the pitcher must strike out every batter faced. Perfect games, on the other hand, can still occur if a pitcher records outs through means other than strikeouts, such as groundouts or flyouts.
Only nine pitchers have pitched an immaculate game in Major League Baseball history, with the most recent occurrence happening in August 2021. It is an exceptional achievement that showcases the pitcher’s exceptional skill and dominance on the mound.
Has Anyone Ever Pitched A 3 Pitch Inning?
There have been instances in baseball history where pitchers have managed to complete an inning by throwing only three pitches. This rare feat requires the pitcher to retire all three batters faced in the inning with just three pitches. Although it is an impressive accomplishment, it is quite uncommon due to the difficulty of getting batters out efficiently and quickly.
One notable pitcher who achieved this feat multiple times is Walter Johnson. Johnson, a Hall of Fame pitcher who played for the Washington Senators, is known to have completed four known three-pitch innings throughout his career. His ability to consistently overpower batters with his fastball and other pitches allowed him to quickly retire them in these instances.
It is important to note that pitching a three-pitch inning is a relatively rare occurrence in baseball. The majority of pitchers typically require more pitches to retire batters due to various factors such as pitch selection, batter strategy, and game situations. However, there have been a few instances where pitchers have joined the exclusive club of completing an inning with just three pitches.
Is An Immaculate Inning Rarer Than A Perfect Game?
According to baseball statistician Ryan Spaeder, the immaculate inning is actually rarer than the perfect game. An immaculate inning occurs when a pitcher retires all three batters in an inning on just nine pitches, striking out all of them. This feat showcases the pitcher’s exceptional skill and control.
To put this into perspective, let’s break down the numbers:
Immaculate inning:
– In an immaculate inning, the pitcher throws only nine pitches.
– Each pitch must be a strike.
– The pitcher strikes out all three batters faced.
Perfect game:
– In a perfect game, the pitcher faces a minimum of 27 batters.
– The pitcher must retire all 27 batters without any reaching base.
– This means no hits, walks, hit by pitches, or errors.
Now, let’s look at the statistics:
According to historical records, there have been around 23 perfect games in Major League Baseball history. This means that, on average, a perfect game occurs roughly once every 11,000 games.
On the other hand, there have been only 101 recorded immaculate innings in MLB history. This means that, on average, an immaculate inning occurs roughly once every 14,500 games.
From these numbers, we can conclude that the likelihood of witnessing an immaculate inning is slightly rarer than witnessing a perfect game. This rarity is due to the exceptional precision and mastery required to retire all three batters on just nine straight pitches, striking them all out.
An immaculate inning is indeed rarer than a perfect game in the realm of baseball.
Conclusion
The immaculate inning is a truly remarkable feat in the world of baseball. With only 112 instances in history, it is a testament to the exceptional skill and precision of the pitchers who have achieved this rare accomplishment. An immaculate inning requires throwing nine pitches, all of them strikes, resulting in three consecutive strikeouts. It is a display of impeccable control, as the pitcher must consistently locate the ball in the strike zone without giving the opposing batters any opportunity to make contact.
The 2022 season saw an impressive six immaculate innings, highlighting the continued excellence of modern-day pitchers. Additionally, the likes of Sandy Koufax, Chris Sale, and Max Scherzer stand out for their exceptional achievement of throwing three immaculate innings each throughout their careers.
When considering the rarity of the immaculate inning, it is interesting to note that it is actually even more uncommon than a perfect game. While a perfect game requires a pitcher to retire all 27 batters faced without any reaching base, an immaculate inning demands not only perfection but also the ability to record three strikeouts in just nine pitches.
The significance of the immaculate inning extends beyond its rarity. It showcases the pitcher’s dominance and command of the game, leaving opposing batters helpless and awe-struck. It is a moment that fans and players alike cherish, as it represents the pinnacle of pitching excellence.
The immaculate inning is a remarkable achievement in the sport of baseball, requiring exceptional skill, precision, and control. With only 112 instances in history, it stands as a testament to the greatness of the pitchers who have achieved this feat. The rarity and skill required to accomplish an immaculate inning make it a truly special and memorable moment in the game.
