Gaylord Perry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Perry's narrative in San Francisco was defined by his emergence as an ace alongside Juan Marichal. In 1966, Perry started the season tremendously, going 16–4 into August. While Marichal was National League Player of the Month in May, Perry earned the honor in June with a 5–0 record and a 0.90 ERA. The two became known as a '1–2 punch' that rivaled the famous Koufax/Drysdale combination of the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Marichal missed much of the 1967 season due to a leg injury, Perry was thrust into the role of team ace. Although he finished with a disappointing 15–17 record that year, he posted a strong 2.61 ERA and allowed only 7.1 hits per nine innings pitched in 39 games (37 starts). He maintained similar numbers in 1968, finishing 16–15 with a then-career-best 2.45 ERA. On September 17, two days after his 30th birthday, Perry threw a 1–0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson.

In Their Own Story

The most defining moment of Perry's tenure in San Francisco occurred on September 17, 1968. Two days after turning 30, he took the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park. Facing the legendary pitcher Bob Gibson, Perry delivered a masterful performance, throwing a complete-game no-hitter that ended with a score of 1–0. This feat came just three weeks after he had thrown a one-hitter, and during that same season, he also pitched 13 career two-hitters. The Giants finished the 1968 season in second place behind the St. Louis Cardinals. Perry's ability to dominate on the mound was evident even as his win-loss record fluctuated; in 1967, despite a losing record of 15–17, he kept his ERA at an impressive 2.61 over 39 games.

Reader's Guide

For fans studying Perry's Giants years, focus on the transition from reliever to ace and his partnership with Juan Marichal. In 1964, after working as a reliever in 1963, he joined the starting rotation and finished second-best on the team behind Marichal with a 2.75 ERA. By 1966, the duo was considered among the best in baseball. Perry's versatility is also notable; he went from a relief role in 1963 to a full-time starter by 1964, eventually leading the league in innings pitched and complete games twice during his overall career. His time with the Giants included his first All-Star selection in 1966. While he left for Cleveland after the 1971 season, his foundation was built here: a pitcher who could adapt to different roles, form elite duos, and deliver historic performances like his no-hitter against Bob Gibson.

Did You Know?

• Perry was the only time in his career that he pitched for a pennant winner when he was on the Giants' roster in 1962, though he was not included in the World Series roster.
• In 1966, Perry was named National League Player of the Month for June, going 5–0 with a 0.90 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
• Perry threw his no-hitter on September 17, 1968, just two days after his 30th birthday, against the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson.
• During his high school career at Williamston High School, Perry averaged nearly 30 points and 20 rebounds per game in basketball before turning down dozens of college scholarship offers to focus on baseball.