Chicago White Sox Charlie Robertson Pitches Perfect Game

Perfect games can be quite the fluke occurrence, but when they happen in a pitchers’ fourth career start, they are even more unlikely. Chicago White Sox hurler Charlie Robertson did just that on this day in 1922.

Prior to the 1922 season, Charlie Robertson had appeared in one game for the Chicago White Sox. Taking the mound against the St. Louis Brown on May 13, 1919, he lasted only two innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He was sent right back down to the Minneapolis Millers, where he would spent the rest of the year and the next two seasons.

Back in the majors in 1922, Robertson’s first three appearances did not give any sign of what was to come. He pitched 17 innings, giving up eight runs, seven earned, on 23 hits and five walks. While he pitched relatively well, Robertson did not appear as though he would be on the verge of immortality.

More from MLB History

• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 5 MLB players who are human cheat codes for Immaculate Grid
• Good MLB players in different uniforms: A look at a random year and two random teams
• Sticky fingers: The pine tar incident, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Gaylord Perry
• Chicago Cubs scoring 36 runs in two games? That’s nothing compared to this historic mark

Making his fourth start, and the fifth appearance in his major league career, Robertson joined baseball’s immortals. On this day, facing off against a Detroit Tigers squad that included the likes of Ty Cobb and Harry Heilmann, Robertson was perfect, striking out six batters in his 2-0 shutout victory. Harry Hooper and Johnny Mostil drove in runs in the second to provide Robertson all the offensive support he needed as he pitched the fifth perfect game in major league history.

While Robertson had a solid 1922 season, posting a 14-15 record with a 3.64 ERA, he was not the same pitcher after that. Arm injuries took their toll on the righty after the following season, and he would not have another year with an ERA below 4.50 in a major league uniform. Following a rough stint with the Boston Braves in 1928, Robertson found himself back in the minor leagues, where he wrapped up his career two years later.

Next: How much more does Felix Hernandez have left?

Charlie Robertson had the potential to be a solid major league pitcher for the Chicago White Sox before arm injuries ruined his career. As it was, one one day, Robertson was perfect on the mound.