Harvey Haddix

Harvey Haddix Jr. (September 18, 1925 – January 8, 1994) was an American professional baseball pitcher and pitching coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (1952–1956), Philadelphia Phillies (1956–57), Cincinnati Redlegs (1958), Pittsburgh Pirates (1959–1963), and Baltimore Orioles (1964–65).

A left-hander, Haddix is most notable for pitching 12 perfect innings in a game against the Milwaukee Braves on May 26, 1959; the Pirates lost the game in the 13th inning.

Haddix enjoyed his best season in 1953, pitching for the Cardinals. He compiled a 20–9 record with 163 strikeouts, a 3.06 earned run average (ERA), 19 complete games, and six shutouts. After five-plus seasons with the Cardinals, Haddix was traded to the Phillies. He also pitched for Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and finished his pitching career as an effective reliever with the Orioles.

Haddix picked up the Game Seven win in the 1960 World Series, pitching in relief when Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run earned Pittsburgh the title.

Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside Springfield. He was nicknamed "the Kitten" in St. Louis for his resemblance to Harry "The Cat" Brecheen, a left-hander on the Cardinals during Haddix's rookie campaign.

Haddix took a perfect game into the 13th inning against the Milwaukee Braves on May 26, 1959. He retired 36 consecutive batters in 12 innings, essentially relying on two pitches: fastball and slider. However, Braves pitcher Lew Burdette was also pitching a shutout, which was seriously jeopardized on only three occasions: the 3rd inning, when a Pittsburgh base-running blunder negated three consecutive singles; the 9th, when Pittsburgh finally advanced a runner as far as third base; and the 10th, when Pirates pinch hitter Dick Stuart came within a few feet of a two-run homer.

A fielding error by third baseman Don Hoak ended the perfect game in the bottom of the 13th, with the leadoff batter for Milwaukee, Félix Mantilla, reaching first base. Mantilla then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Eddie Mathews, which was followed by an intentional walk to Hank Aaron. Joe Adcock then hit an apparent home run, ending the no-hitter and the game. However, in the confusion, Aaron left the basepaths and was passed by Adcock for the second out and the Braves won 2–0. Eventually the hit was changed from a home run to a double by a ruling from National League (NL) president Warren Giles; ultimately, only Mantilla's run counted, resulting in a final score of 1–0, but the Pirates and Haddix still lost.

I could have put a cup on either corner of the plate and hit it.