Umpires have always been easy targets for blame. Fans, players, and managers love to treat them like human punching bags after a tough call. But every now and then, an umpire delivers a game so precise, so flawless, that it deserves the same reverence as a pitcher throwing a perfect game.
Since 2015, when Umpire Scorecards began publicly tracking ball and strike accuracy, only three perfect games have been recorded behind the plate and remarkably, two of them happened this year.
The first came on April 10, 2025, when Mark Ripperger called a Twins-Royals game, correctly calling all 136 pitches.
Just 19 days later, on April 30th, another Royals game featured perfection, this time from Nic Lentz, who nailed all 129 calls in a matchup against the Rays.
But the gold standard came on the biggest stage: Game 2 of the 2022 World Series. That night, Pat Hoberg made the right call on all 129 pitches, becoming the Don Larsen of umpires. Flawless in front of millions.
Sadly, Hoberg’s story took a wrong turn. In 2024, he was linked to a friend’s illegal baseball betting activity and admitted to deleting evidence. Though he wasn’t accused of betting on games himself, the damage was done. He’s now suspended, eligible to reapply in 2026, ironically, just as MLB’s automated ball-strike system (ABS) is expected to roll out more widely.
What’s Happening
Cubs smash franchise record 8 home runs in 11-3 rout of Cardinals.
Jeff McNeil’s 7th inning two run home run powers Mets past Yankees.
Cal Raleigh hits two home runs to reach 35 home runs.
1898: Lizzie Arlington becomes 1st woman to play professional baseball, pitching the 9th for the Reading Coal Heavers.
1904: Giants 18 game win streak comes to an end.
1934: Lou Gehrig sets record with 17th career grand slam.
1947: Larry Doby becomes 1st black player in the American League.
1987: Mark McGwire becomes 1st rookie to hit 30 home runs before all-star break.
1991: Owners approve Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins as new NL franchises.
1998: Roger Clemens records 3,000th strikeout.
Random Stat Of The Day
Hank Aaron has the most home runs in the month of July, hitting 152 of his 755 home runs in the month. Babe Ruth follows him at 147 with Barry Bonds behind at 127.