Texas Rangers History: Kenny Rogers Throws Perfect Game
By David Hill
A perfect game is always a historic event, and that was certainly the case for Texas Rangers lefty Kenny Rogers. On this day in 1994, Rogers became the first left handed pitcher in the history of the American League to be perfect.
Before converting to the starting rotation on a full time basis, Kenny Rogers had been a relatively decent reliever for the Texas Rangers. Occasionally serving as their closer, Rogers spent four seasons in the bullpen, leading the American League with 81 appearances in 1992.
Converted to the starting rotation the following year, Rogers showed occasional flashes of excellence. He would eventually make four All Star Games in his 20 year career, proving to be a quality middle of the rotation starter as he made his way around the league.
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Yet, before any of those individual accolades came his way, Rogers made his mark upon the history of the game. On this day in 1994, Rogers threw a perfect game, defeating the then California Angels 4-0 to become the first lefty to throw a perfect game in the history of the AL. He struck out eight, but it was not all smooth sailing for Rogers.
Rogers had six three ball counts, going to 3-2 to two batters in the top of the first, and to each batter he faced in the seventh. Of those batters, Rogers struck out three, and was helped by a solid play from Dean Palmer, who ranged into the hole to get corral Chad Curtis‘ grounder. Jose Canseco helped out the cause, hitting two solo home runs to give Rogers more than enough offense on this historic day.
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In pitching the 14th perfect game in Major League history, Kenny Rogers became the fifth lefty to do so. However, despite seven previous perfect games in the American League, it was not until this day that a lefty threw one in the Junior Circuit.