A perfect night … well, almost
Harvey Haddix pitching to Eddie Mathews 67 years ago tonight in Milwaukee
For 12 innings, Harvey Haddix is nothing but perfect 67 years ago tonight in Milwaukee.
The 13th inning, though, is less than perfect for Haddix as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ left-hander not only loses his perfect game, but also his no-hitter and, ultimately, the game to the Braves 1-0 before a Tuesday night crowd of 19,194 at County Stadium.
After recording 36 straight outs on this night in 1959, Haddix first loses his perfect game when third baseman Don Hoak makes an errant throw after fielding Felix Mantilla’s grounder to lead off the bottom of the 13th inning.
Eddie Mathews follows that by moving Mantilla to second on a sacrifice bunt before Haddix intentionally walks Hank Aaron.
Harvey Haddix looks away after Joe Adcock’s game-winning double in the 13th inning
Joe Adcock then ends Haddix’s once-perfect night in a most imperfect way as he homers to right-center.
Or so it seems.
While the ball is clearing the fence, Aaron touches second and heads back to the dugout – believing the hit was a double rather than a homer – leaving Adcock to pass him on the bases.
Adcock is ruled out for passing Aaron on the bases, but Mantilla’s run is allowed to end the game.
Originally, runs also are awarded to Aaron and Adcock to make the final score 3-0.
The score, though, eventually reverts to 1-0 with Adcock getting an RBI double and the runs he scores with Aaron being wiped out.
Oh, just like Haddix, Milwaukee right-hander Lew Burdette pitches the entire game and is credited with the victory.
Burdette, though, allows 12 hits — all singles — along the way, including one by Haddix.
Even though he loses his perfect game in the 13th inning, Haddix does come away with the record for most consecutive perfect innings to begin a game.
Not that he cares much about that.
“All I know is we lost,” Haddix later tells author Jim O’Brien. “What is so historic about that?”
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