Perfection In Cleveland

It’s time for our weekly look back into the annals of baseball history! Perfection in Cleveland and New York, Ted Williams had himself a remarkable doubleheader, and a baseball game actually ends in a tie.

This Week In Baseball History: May 15

Perfection In Cleveland

On May 15, 1981, Cleveland’s Len Barker achieved perfection in Cleveland against the Toronto Blue Jays. Barker was coming off a 1980 season in which he led the American League in strikeouts. However, he wasn’t exactly considered one of the best pitchers in the game. Despite his obscurity, the 25-year-old right-hander was peaking in 1981. He logged two complete games in the first month of the season. Coming off five days rest, Barker retired all 27 Toronto batters he faced and struck out 11. It would be the 10th perfect game in baseball history and the last by a Cleveland pitcher. Barker would ride his perfect stuff to an All-star appearance that season, the first and only of his career. He pitched in his final game in 1987, finishing his career with 1,323.2 innings pitched, and a 4.34 ERA.

Ted Williams Wows In Return

On May 16, 1954, Ted Williams made his return to the Boston lineup after recovering from a broken collarbone he suffered on the first day of spring training. In the two years prior, Williams only suited up for 43 baseball games due to his recall from inactive reserves to serve in the Korean War. This day was seen as a return to normalcy for one of the most feared hitters in the game. The Red Sox faced the Detroit Tigers in a doubleheader, and Williams had an astounding performance. He collected eight. hits in nine at-bats, with two homers and seven RBI. Boston lost both games, 7-6 and 9-8, but Williams made sure to return with authority. Stories like this beg the question: How great would Ted Williams have been if he hadn’t missed games due to military service? Regardless, he remains a hero on and off the diamond.