Getting 3 batters out in order on nine pitches is one of the most
remarkable feats in baseball. Since the late 1800s, only 71 pitchers
have been able to do it. Yet, unlike other rare achievements in
baseball, such as pitching a perfect game, the "immaculate inning" does
not capture the same attention or consideration. In a game that is as
unpredictable as baseball, perfection, when it occurs, should be cause
for both reflection and celebration. In Immaculate, Cairney provides a
short history of perfect innings through the stories of the pitchers who
pitched them. Beginning with an brief overview of the numbers, the
remaining chapters, one for each immaculate inning on record in major
baseball, provides insight into the men, their careers and details of
the inning itself, from the first recorded perfect inning in 1889 to the
most recent string of innings last MLB season in 2014. The names include
pitching greats such as Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan and Randy
Johnson, but also many lesser known, if not colorful, pitchers like
"Sloppy" Thurston and Bill Wilson. The teams include famous franchises
like the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, but also clubs now
defunct like the Boston Beaneaters and the Montreal Expos. Using
immaculate innings as benchmarks, the book provides an engaging and
entertaining journey through the history of professional baseball that
will delight both the serious student of the game, as well as the fan
who enjoys reading about the game.
