JULY 23, 2009 | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MLB’s 18th perfect game was thrown by Mark Buerhle on this date in 2009. To take nothing away from the Chicago White Sox southpaw, another left-hander positioned about 250 feet behind Buerhle’s right shoulder did the unbelievable.
Dewayne Wise had just been put in as a defensive replacement in centerfield in the 9th inning. Defend, he did. Tampa Bay Rays’ right fielder Gabe Kapler hit a 2-2 pitch from Buerhle to the farthest point of left-center field. It was on its way out. The perfect game would be lost. The no-hitter would be lost. The shutout would be lost.
Dewayne Wise would not have it. He ran to the wall like he was the 4th leg of a relay race. Jumped at just the right time to pull the ball back into the field of play. Then the ball slipped out of his glove, but he managed to regain control, holding on to the perfect game as he fell the ground.
The 26th hitter struck out.
The 27th hitter grounded out to short.
Mark Buerhle had MLB’s 18th perfect game. How could he possibly thank Dewayne Wise enough?
Contributing sources:
July 23, 2009 box score, stats, play-by-play
Dewayne Wise