May 8, 1968

Catfish has the Twins hooked. Catfish Hunter, the Oakland Athletics' 22-year-old right-hander, becomes the first American League pitcher to throw a perfect game in the regular season in 46 years when he dominates the Minnesota Twins, 4-0.

Hunter's gem is witnessed by an intimate gathering of 6,928 at the Oakland Coliseum. Relying mostly on fastballs and sliders, the 6-foot, 195-pounder strikes out 11, including Harmon Killebrew three times and Bruce Look and pinch-hitter Rich Reese (on a 3-2 count) for the final two outs.

In the second inning, Hunter goes 3-0 on Tony Oliva before striking out the two-time A.L. batting champion. Third baseman Sal Bando saves Hunter's no-hitter in the fifth inning with a backhand stab of Bob Allison's grounder.

Hunter also contributes with his bat, getting three hits and driving home three runs.

The last perfect game in the AL was pitched by Charlie Robertson of the White Sox in 1922. The Yankees' Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.