We suspect this will be a lot harder in future months, but we had it made when Philip Humber threw a perfect game.
Each month we’ll highlight a “box score of the month” with either a unique historic or statistical angle.
In honor of Humber’s gem - the 21st perfect game in Major League history - he gets the nod this month.
To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today.
-Chris R. Vaccaro
White Sox pitcher Philip Humber made an appearance on the “Late Show” with David Letterman Monday night to celebrate his perfect game.
After spending a couple of minutes discussing his pitches – he topped out at 94 mph on his fastball – they had the usual give and take about the historical moment.
“If I were you, I’d retire now,” Letterman quipped.
Humber’s short stay with the Mets came up briefly as Letterman asked how that went.
“Apparently not too well,” Humber said, “they got rid of me.”
Humber then read off the ceremonial “Top 10” list of “thoughts that went through his head during the perfect game.”
We won’t spoil the Top 10 without you watching the video clip here, but one of our favorites is No. 7: “Thank goodness I drafted myself for my fantasy team.”
-Chris R. Vaccaro
Prior to Saturday’s pitching gem, Philip Humber had never thrown a complete game in his 29 previous Major League starts. So Humber rang in the distance game on the mound with the grandest of performances, throwing the 21st perfect game in baseball history.
Humber threw 96 pitches and struck out 9 in the 4-0 victory over Seattle at Safeco Field. This was the first perfect game since Roy Halladay achieved the honor with the Phillies in 2010 against the Marlins.
While teams like the Mets, who traded Humber to Minnesota in the deal for Johan Santana in 2008, have never thrown a no-hitter, let alone a perfect game, the White Sox have had success in recent years with outstanding pitching performances. Former White Sox great Mark Buehrle, now a starter with the Marlins, met his match with perfection in 2009 against the Rays. Way back in 1922, Charlie Robertson also threw a perfect game for the White Sox against the Tigers.
Humber, now 1-0 in two starts this season, was a first round draft pick by the Mets in 2004 and is the seventh ex-Met to throw a no-hitter or perfect game.
To see a complete list of all 21 perfect games in baseball history, click here.
To have an inside look at history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today.
-Chris R. Vaccaro
