Domingo German was at his best Wednesday night, and so were the announcers on the call.
The right-hander threw the 24th perfect game in major league history, becoming the fourth Yankees pitcher to do so in the 11-0 win over the Oakland A’s.
And with neither regular announcers Michael Kay nor John Sterling on the call, their understudies still did the moment justice.
With Esteury Ruiz at the plate, YES Network play-by-play man Ryan Ruocco set the scene as the 27th out unfolded on the 99th pitch of the game.
“Esteury Ruiz stands in his way. Grounded to third, [Josh] Donaldson has it, there it is — perfection for Domingo German!” Ruocco exclaimed on the final out of the game before pausing for about 20 seconds to let the moment breathe.
“Domingo German … has thrown the 24th perfect game in baseball history, the fourth perfect game in Yankees history,” Ruocco continued. “And you will always remember where you were June 28 of 2023.”
On WFAN, Shackil had the call and kept things simple for radio listeners.
“And German, the righty, deals to the plate. Swung on, ground ball to third, Donaldson’s up with it, he throws to first. Domingo German has pitched a perfect game,” Shackil said. “For the fourth time in the history of the New York Yankees, perfection attained.
“On a chilly night in Oakland, California, Domingo German has tossed the 24th perfect game in major league history.”
On NBC Sports Bay Area, analyst Dallas Braden had his own unique perspective on the historic moment.
On May 9, 2010, Braden threw his own perfect game in Oakland in a memorable outing on Mother’s Day with his grandmother in attendance.
After German finished off the outing, the ex-hurler described what he saw from the New York righty.
“From the first pitch of the ballgame, Domingo German showed you things were working well,” he said “Fastball, curveball, changeup, everything was on its best behavior tonight for Domingo German.”
German needed just 99 pitches to shut down the A’s, becoming the first pitcher to throw a perfect game since Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat on Aug. 15, 2012.
The Yankees hurler became the third pitcher to throw a perfect game in Oakland, joining Braden and Catfish Hunter.