Cleveland Indians History: Addie Joss Fires Perfect Game

In 1908, one needed to be almost perfect to defeat Ed Walsh and the Chicago White Sox. Well, on this day, Cleveland Indians starter Addie Joss was exactly that, firing the fourth perfect game in MLB history.

Few pitchers were the equal of Ed Walsh back in 1908. The Chicago White Sox ace had a season for the ages that year, posting a 40-15 season with a 1.41 ERA and a 0.860 WHiP. He struck out 269 batters with only 56 walks in 464 innings, using his devastating spitter to great effect. That season, Walsh led the American League in wins, innings, strikeouts, K/BB rate, complete games, shutouts, and saves. Walsh was a dominant force that season.

In order to defeat Walsh, a pitcher needed to be almost perfect. Well, on this day in 1908, Cleveland Indians starter Addie Joss was exactly that. Joss needed to be perfect, or as close as possible, as he led the Indians to a 1-0 victory over Walsh and the White Sox.

Joss relied upon his defense in order to shut down the White Sox. He struck out only three batters in his perfect game, instead forcing the White Sox to hit his curve into the ground. Walsh was nearly as great that day, striking out 15 Indians batters. In fact, the only run scored was unearned; the result of a botched pickoff play and a wild pitch.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

The final out was fraught with drama. Pinch hitter John Anderson strode to the plate, and drove a line drive down the line that hooked just foul. He then hit a grounder that third baseman Bill Bradley bobbled, and threw low to first baseman George Stovall. The first baseman managed to dig the ball out of the dirt, holding on for the final out to preserve the perfect game.

Joss would throw another no hitter against the White Sox in 1910, becoming the first pitcher to no hit the same team twice. In fact, until Tim Lincecum no hit the Padres in 2013 and 2014, no one else matched the feat. Unfortunately, despite his brilliance, Joss had a short career. His 1910 season ended due to an elbow injury, and in 1911, he passed away from meningitis. Even though Joss played for less than the mandated ten years required to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, he was enshrined in 1978, a fitting tribute to a brilliant career.

Next: Top AL Cy Young contenders

Ed Walsh was on a different level than everyone else in 1908. On this day, it required perfection in order to defeat Walsh, which Cleveland Indians pitcher Addie Joss provided.