Hitting for the cycle or throwing a no-hitter is rare enough, but a perfect game is an unforgettable event in baseball. The MLB record books show that a total of 217 batters have hit for the cycle--collecting a single, double, triple and a home run in the same game. There have been 296 no-hitters and 30 players have thrown more than one, with Nolan Ryan (7), Sandy Koufax (4), Cy Young and Bob Feller (3 apiece) each having more than two. Yet, in the 141-year history of America's Pastime, only 23 pitchers have hurled a perfect games and nobody has done it more than once. Twenty-seven batters up, twenty-seven batters down (provided it goes at least a full nine innings). Nobody reaches base.
This lot features an unusual and quite rare collection of 18 different single-signed baseballs, including all but five of the pitchers who have ever thrown a perfect game. The autographs represented here are from big league pitchers who have turned the trick during the past 50 seasons. Led by a very strong PSA/DNA Mint+ 9.5 graded ball from the great Sandy Koufax, this lineup boasts 17 other baseballs that have been signed by the following standouts pitchers: Dennis Martinez, David Cone, Don Larsen, Kenny Rogers, Jim Bunning (HOF), Catfish Hunter (HOF), David Wells, Mike Witt, Len Barker, Mark Buerhle, Matt Cain, Roy Halladay, Randy Johnson (HOF), Tom Browning, Felix Hernandez, Dallas Braden and Philip Humber. The baseballs range from lightly toned to snow white. The signatures come in blue or black pen, averaging 8-10/10 with most 9+ in our books. Every single player has inscribed their ball with the date of their perfect game pitched, making this collection truly special
Authentication: Koufax - PSA/DNA Mint+ 9.5 (9 auto/10 ball); Cain - MLB Auth. (EK 029172) & Steiner COA; Bunning - JSA COA (G34894); Witt - PSA/DNA COA (Q37528); Barker - JSA sticker (I82554); Browning - PSA/DNA Auction LOA; Cone - PSA/DNA COA (Q37401); Larsen - Stiener COA; Humber - MLB Auth. (FJ 999385); Braden - MLB Auth. (FJ 728576); Rogers - JSA LOA (Z03115); R.Johnson - PSA/DNA COA (S70387); Wells - Steiner COA; Hernandez - PSA/DNA sticker (T65915); Buehrle - Grandstand Sports COA; Halladay - JSA sticker K79184; Hunter - JSA LOA (Y83137).
All non-PSA/DNA balls have been pre-certified.