(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
In case you missed it, New York Yankees starter Domingo German threw the 24th perfect game in the history of MLB.
It was the fourth in Yankees history, after Don Larsen, David Wells, and David Cone.
The most incredible thing about it is that German had been battered for eight earned runs in just 3.1 innings in his most recent outing against the Seattle Mariners; and in the one before that one, he conceded seven runs in two frames vs. the Boston Red Sox.
Sure, facing the lowly Oakland Athletics might have helped, but this one was all German: he was in complete control all night long, mixing in his fastball with his excellent curveball and changeup combo.
It was 27 batters up, 27 down, and he struck out nine hitters in the process.
Behind German’s achievement, however, there is a crucial man for the Yankees’ recent history: Kyle Higashioka.
Higashioka was the one behind the plate, calling the game for German and making sure his pitcher attacked the A’s weaknesses and was in the best possible position to succeed.
It was a masterclass from German, make no mistake, but his catcher also deserves some credit especially because he is no stranger to history.
He has done it in the past.
Kyle Higashioka called Corey Kluber’s no-hitter, and now Domingo German’s perfect game. pic.twitter.com/C9iuc61CVF
— Joe Randazzo (@Yankeelibrarian) June 29, 2023
It was a perfect game on Wednesday, but he was also the man in charge of catching duties when Corey Kluber pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in May 2021.
Kluber was in the spotlight because he had missed most of the previous two seasons with injuries.
He was spot on that night, though, and Higashioka was there to help him and guide him.
Calling games is an underrated ability for Higashioka, and he showed once again that he is one of the best in that department even though he is not an everyday player for the Yanks.
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