The concept of the “immaculate inning” has been around since the advent of Major League Baseball (MLB). It is defined as an inning in which a pitcher throws three strikeouts on just nine pitches. It is a rare achievement, as it requires a pitcher to be both precise and dominant in a short span of time. In this article, we take a look at some of the most immaculate innings thrown in MLB history, and the pitchers who delivered them.
Definition of an Immaculate Inning
An immaculate inning is defined as an inning in which a pitcher throws three strikeouts on just nine pitches. It is a rare feat, and it requires a pitcher to be both precise and dominant in a short span of time. The feat is so rare that it is considered one of the most impressive accomplishments in the MLB.
History of Immaculate Innings
The first immaculate inning was thrown in 1962 by New York Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton. Since then, there have been nearly 200 immaculate innings thrown in MLB history. The most recent was thrown by Texas Rangers pitcher Jesse Chavez on April 4, 2021.
Most Notable Immaculate Innings
There have been numerous immaculate innings thrown in MLB history, but some stand out more than others. Here are some of the most notable immaculate innings thrown in MLB history.
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, threw the most immaculate innings in MLB history. He threw seven throughout his career, the most of any pitcher in MLB history.
Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson, one of the most intimidating pitchers in MLB history, threw four immaculate innings throughout his career. He was known for his overpowering fastball and his ability to strike out batters with ease.
Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martinez, one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, threw three immaculate innings during his career. He was known for his pinpoint accuracy and his ability to shut down opposing batters.
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw, one of the most decorated pitchers in MLB history, has thrown two immaculate innings throughout his career. He was known for his ability to dominate opposing batters with his array of pitches.
Notable Pitchers Who Have Thrown an Immaculate Inning
There have been numerous pitchers who have thrown an immaculate inning throughout MLB history. Here are some of the most notable:
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer, one of the most dominant pitchers in the game today, has thrown an immaculate inning. He is known for his overpowering fastball and his ability to strike out batters with ease.
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander, one of the most decorated pitchers in MLB history, has thrown an immaculate inning. He is known for his pinpoint accuracy and his ability to shut down opposing batters.
Chris Sale
Chris Sale, one of the most intimidating pitchers in MLB history, has thrown an immaculate inning. He is known for his array of pitches and his ability to dominate opposing batters.
No-Hitters Thrown During an Immaculate Inning
There have been two no-hitters thrown during an immaculate inning in MLB history. The first was thrown by Nolan Ryan in 1973 and the second was thrown by Justin Verlander in 2011.
MLB Records for Immaculate Innings
Nolan Ryan holds the MLB record for most immaculate innings thrown in MLB history with seven. He is followed by Randy Johnson with four, and Pedro Martinez with three.
Most Recent Immaculate Inning
The most recent immaculate inning was thrown by Texas Rangers pitcher Jesse Chavez on April 4, 2021. It was his first immaculate inning of his career.
Conclusion
The concept of the immaculate inning has been around since the advent of MLB, and it is still a rare feat. There have been numerous immaculate innings thrown in MLB history, and some of the most notable have been thrown by Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Clayton Kershaw. While it is a rare feat, it is one of the most impressive accomplishments in the MLB and an achievement that will be remembered for years to come.