Chicago Cubs History: Milt Pappas Comes One Out from Perfection
By David Hill
On this day in 1972, Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas was one batter away from baseball history. However, he could not record that final out.
There is something about coming one batter away from a perfect game that captures the imagination. We all remember Armando Galarraga for his near perfecto in 2010, where a truly atrocious call robbed him of history. On this day in 1972, Chicago Cubs starter Milt Pappas was also one call away from history, coming close to a perfect game of his own.
Much like Galarraga, Pappas had set down the first 26 batters he faced, shutting down the hapless San Diego Padres. Pinch hitter Larry Stahl was the only thing standing between the veteran pitcher and immortality. Pappas went to 2-2 on Stahl, with the Chicago faithful on the edges of their seats.
He then threw two close pitches, both of which Stahl took. Both pitches were called balls, as the walk led to the first baserunner of the game. Pappas was able to retire Garry Jestalt on a popup to second to get the no hitter, but he was still a bit upset at missing his chance to make history.
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Interestingly, both Pappas and catcher Randy Hundley agreed with the calls, saying that both pitches were off the plate. They were also surprised thta Stahl took both pitches, considering how close they were to the zone. Nonetheless, that did not stop Pappas from yelling at umpire Bruce Froemming for blowing the call, and his chance at history. As Pappas claimed that Don Larsen‘s strikeout to end his perfect game came on a pitch “a foot outside,” he should have gotten the same courtesy.
That outing was also a part of a longer stretch of success for Pappas. He ended the year by earning the win in his last 11 outings, a mark that has not been touched since. Jake Arrieta came the closest in 2015, when he won eight in a row.
Pappas had a solid season overall, posting a 17-7 record with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.108 WHiP. In his 195 innings, he issued just 29 walks, with his 1.3 walks per nine rate leading the National League. That would be his last hurrah however, as he was just 7-12 with a 4.28 ERA and a 1.432 WHiP. He retired after the season, a solid pitcher who won 209 games despite not having a 20 win season.
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Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas was one batter away from history on this day in 1972. Instead, two close pitches were correctly called balls, leaving him without that perfect game.