#Shortstops: Bunning's perfection

ACTION AND EXCITEMENT IN AMERICA’S NEWEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL BALL PARK

That’s what fans were promised as they entered Shea Stadium for a matchup between the Mets and the visiting Phillies on Father’s Day, June 21, 1964. The headline at the top of this “1964 World’s Fair Edition, official program, and scorecard” captured one young fan’s attention, as the 13-year-old kept score in the 25-cent program, even decorating the front cover in pencil, writing “Perfect Game, 6/21/64.”

While the Mets surrendered six runs to the rival Phillies in this first game of a doubleheader, the Flushing Faithful were treated to a perfect game thrown by Philly right-hander Jim Bunning – just the ninth perfecto in league history.

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In addition to Sinclair Oil’s back cover promo for their World’s Fair exhibit, “Dinoland,” advertisements for iconic brands like Coca-Cola and Old Spice surround a detailed account of Bunning’s nine innings of perfection.

Donated to the Hall of Fame in 2022, this scorecard shows 10 “Ks” tallied next to the New York lineup, representing Bunning’s 10 strikeouts over 27 batters faced.

Bunning, who had already thrown a no-hitter with the Detroit Tigers back in 1958, spent his Father’s Day pitching in the heat of the New York sun in front of his oldest daughter, Barbara, and his wife, Mary.

“Something like that you don’t believe is possible,” Bunning, the then-father of seven, told United Press International.

The 6-foot-3 hurler got in on the offensive action as well, as four of the six Philadelphia runs came from the battery pair of Bunning and catcher Gus Triandos. Bunning drove in two on a double off of New York’s Tracy Stallard in the sixth, while Triandos went 2-for-4 on the day and knocked in two runs of his own.

Bunning and his catcher were teammates in Detroit and were sent to the Phillies in 1963 in exchange for infielder Don Demeter and pitcher Jack Hamilton.

“He had everything,” said Triandos, according to the Associated Press. “Good fast ball, good slider, good curve. His curve was his best pitch. Most of his strikeouts, maybe all of them, came on the curve.”

The 32-year-old’s arsenal made quick work of the Mets’ lineup, as he delivered only 21 balls in 89 pitches. Unfazed by the possibility of perfection, Bunning remained cool and collected throughout the game.

“I was aware I was pitching a perfect game from the fifth inning on,” Bunning told the Associated Press after his perfect outing. “I kidded about it on the bench and the boys kidded right back. Jinx? I don’t believe in jinxes.”

After a 17-year big league career with the Tigers, Phillies, Pirates and Dodgers, Bunning finished with a record of 224-184 and a 3.27 ERA. In addition to throwing no-hitters in both the National and American Leagues, Bunning was the second pitcher after Hall of Famer Cy Young to reach 100 wins and 1,000 strikeouts in each league.

The eight-time All-Star was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Aaron McCoy is the public relations intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development

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