Catfish Hunter's Perfect Game (1968)
The sole perfect game in Kansas City Athletics history, hurled by Catfish Hunter versus the Twins.
On August 8, 1968, Kansas City Athletics right-hander Catfish Hunter threw a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. No opposing batter reached base over nine innings, making this one of our franchise's most celebrated individual performances and the only perfect game ever pitched by an A's player.
- Player
- Catfish Hunter
- Role
- Starting Pitcher
- Opponent
- Minnesota Twins
- Venue
- Municipal Stadium, Kansas City
- Date
- August 8, 1968
- Outcome
- Perfect Game (27 up, 27 down)
- Scoreline
- Athletics 4, Twins 0
Lore & Background
As the innings progressed, the tension in Municipal Stadium mounted. With two outs in the ninth inning and no one on base, the fate of history rested on a single at-bat against Harmon Killebrew, a feared power hitter. Hunter worked deep into the count before inducing a ground ball to second baseman Dick Green, who fielded it cleanly and threw to first baseman Danny Cater for the final out. The A's had achieved something no other pitcher in franchise history has ever matched: a perfect game.
In Their Own Story
The humid Kansas City air hung heavy over Municipal Stadium as Catfish Hunter wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes locked on the Twins' batter. The crowd was a sea of silence, broken only by the sharp crack of leather against wood and the umpire's rhythmic calls. Every pitch felt like a heartbeat; every swing a potential end to the dream. When Sal Bando snared that final grounder in the ninth, the stadium erupted not just with cheers, but with the realization that they had witnessed perfection.
Reader's Guide
The achievement of a perfect game is the pinnacle of individual pitching excellence, requiring a pitcher to retire all 27 batters faced without allowing any to reach base via hit, walk, error, or hit-by-pitch. Catfish Hunter accomplished this historic feat on August 8, 1968, while playing for the Kansas City Athletics against the Minnesota Twins. This performance was particularly significant because it occurred during a season where pitching dominated the league, yet perfect games remained incredibly rare. It stands as the sole perfect game in the entire history of the Oakland Athletics franchise, spanning their time in Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland. Hunter's composure under pressure, especially against power hitters like Harmon Killebrew, cemented his legacy as a future Hall of Famer. The game remains a cornerstone of A's lore, often cited alongside other legendary moments from the dynasty years that followed. It serves as a reminder of the team's deep-rooted tradition of pitching excellence and the unforgettable nights when history was made on the diamond.
Did You Know?
- This was only the 14th perfect game in Major League Baseball history at the time it occurred.
- Catfish Hunter became the first pitcher in A's franchise history to throw a perfect game, and remains the only one to date.
- The final batter faced by Hunter was Harmon Killebrew, who grounded out to second baseman Dick Green.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Catfish Hunter throw his perfect game for the A's?
Catfish Hunter achieved this historic feat on August 8, 1968, while pitching against the Minnesota Twins.
Where was the venue for this perfect game?
The game took place at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, which served as the Athletics' home field at that time.
Who did Catfish Hunter face during his perfect game?
He faced the Minnesota Twins, retiring all 27 batters he encountered without allowing a single hit or walk.
Why is this performance unique in Oakland A's history?
It remains the only perfect game ever recorded by a player wearing an Oakland Athletics uniform.
What was the final outcome of the game?
Hunter's pitching resulted in a flawless 27-up, 27-down performance that stands as one of the franchise's most celebrated individual achievements.