David Wells’ Perfect Game on 2 Hours Sleep & a Hangover
A perfect game in Major League Baseball happens when a pitcher gets every single batter out without letting anyone reach base. That means no hits, no walks, no hit-by-pitches, and no errors by the defense. The pitcher faces exactly 27 batters, one for each out in a nine-inning game.
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It’s one of the hardest things to do in sports because even a small mistake can ruin it. Pitchers need great control, strong defense from their team, and a bit of luck. Most games have runners on base, so keeping everyone off is rare. Fans and players get excited when a perfect game is in progress, but no one talks about it out loud because of superstition.
The Rarity of Perfect Games
Perfect games are super rare. Since the start of Major League Baseball in the late 1800s, there have only been 24 of them as of 2025. The first one was in 1880 by Lee Richmond for Worcester against Cleveland. Another came just five days later by John Ward. But then, they didn’t happen often. In the modern era, starting around 1900, they’ve been even harder to achieve.
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Famous ones include Don Larsen’s in the 1956 World Series for the Yankees against the Dodgers, the only one in postseason play. Kenny Rogers threw one in 1994 for the Rangers. More recent ones include Domingo German’s in 2023 for the Yankees against the Athletics.
Who Is David Wells?
David Wells is a former baseball pitcher known for his long career and big personality. He was born on May 20, 1963, in Torrance, California. Growing up in San Diego, he went to Point Loma High School, the same school as another perfect game pitcher, Don Larsen. Wells loved baseball from a young age and was good at it.
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He threw left-handed and batted left, too. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 187 pounds at the start, he later got bigger, earning the nickname “Boomer” for his loud style and strong build. Wells was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1982, right out of high school, in the second round. He started in the minors and worked his way up.
David Wells’ Early Career
Wells made his big league debut with the Blue Jays in 1987. He started as a relief pitcher but soon became a starter. In 1990, he helped the Jays win the American League East. He was part of their 1992 World Series win against the Atlanta Braves, though he didn’t pitch much in the series. After that, he played for the Detroit Tigers starting in 1993.
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There, he had some good seasons, winning 10 games in 1993 and 1994. But the 1994 season was short because of a strike. In 1995, he went to the Cincinnati Reds for part of the year. Wells was known for being tough and throwing hard, with a good curveball and changeup. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, which sometimes got him in trouble but made fans like him.
Joining the Yankees and Building Success
In 1996, Wells signed with the Baltimore Orioles and had a strong year, winning 11 games. But he wanted to play for the Yankees, his favorite team growing up. He got traded there before the 1997 season. With the Yankees, he fit right in. In 1997, he won 16 games and helped them make the playoffs, though they lost early.
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Wells was an All-Star that year. He loved the big stage in New York and wore Babe Ruth’s cap once in a game, which upset his manager but showed his fun side. By 1998, the Yankees were a powerhouse team with stars like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Paul O’Neill. Wells was a key starter, entering May with a 4-1 record.
The Wild Night Before
The story of David Wells’ perfect game starts the night before, on May 16, 1998. Wells went out partying late. He later said he was at a Saturday Night Live after-party, hanging out with people like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. He stayed up until about 5:30 in the morning. That’s just hours before the game started at 1:35 p.m. Wells got home late and only slept for maybe an hour or two.
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He woke up feeling awful, with a bad headache and feeling hungover. He said it was like his skull was rattling. To get ready, he drank a lot of coffee and took some pain pills. Most pitchers rest well before a start, but Wells broke all the rules. This makes his game even more amazing.
The Game Begins – First Inning
The game started at 1:36 p.m. against the Minnesota Twins. Wells faced leadoff hitter Matt Lawton, who flew out to center field on a soft fly ball. Next, Brent Gates grounded out to shortstop Derek Jeter.
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Then, Paul Molitor, a future Hall of Famer, grounded out to third baseman Scott Brosius. Wells used just nine pitches to get through the first inning. The Yankees didn’t score in their half. It was a quick start, but no one knew what was coming. Wells’ pitches were sharp, mixing fastballs and curves.
Second Inning Action
In the top of the second, Marty Cordova grounded out to Brosius. Ron Coomer struck out swinging. Alex Ochoa fouled out to catcher Jorge Posada. Wells used 13 pitches this time. In the bottom, the Yankees got on the board.
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Bernie Williams doubled to left field. A passed ball by Twins catcher Javier Valentin let Williams go to third. Then, a wild pitch by starter LaTroy Hawkins scored Williams, making it 1-0. It was an unearned run, but it gave Wells a lead. The defense was solid, helping keep the perfect game going.
Third Inning Strikeouts
The third inning showed Wells’ dominance. He struck out Jon Shave looking. Javier Valentin hit a long foul ball down the left-field line, but it was foul by about 20 feet. On a full count, Wells struck him out. Pat Meares struck out, too.
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Wells struck out the side, using his curveball well. It was one of only four times he went to a full count all game. The Yankees didn’t score in the bottom. The crowd started to notice something special, but superstition kept everyone quiet.
Fourth and Fifth Inning
Top of the fourth, Wells retired Lawton on a flyout, Gates on a groundout, and Molitor on a strikeout. Smooth and quick. In the bottom, with two outs, Bernie Williams hit a solo home run to right field on the first pitch from Hawkins. It was his third homer of the year, making the score 2-0. Williams was hot that day, with three hits total. The lead helped Wells relax a bit, but he stayed focused.
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In the fifth, Cordova flew out to left fielder Chad Curtis. Coomer struck out. Ochoa grounded out to second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. Wells was cruising. No Twins batter had reached base yet. The Yankees didn’t add runs in the bottom. The game was moving fast, under three hours total.
Sixth and Seventh Inning
Top sixth: Shave struck out. Valentin struck out again. Meares grounded out to Jeter. Wells had 10 strikeouts by now. The tension was building in the dugout. Teammates avoided talking to him. At the bottom, no scoring for the Yankees. The seventh is when perfect games often get tough. Lawton flew out to center.
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Gates went to a 3-2 count and grounded out to first baseman Tino Martinez. Molitor also went full count and struck out swinging. Close calls, but outs. In the bottom, Williams doubled again. Darryl Strawberry tripled to score him. Chad Curtis singled to bring in Strawberry, making it 4-0. Insurance runs were huge.
Eighth and Ninth Inning
Top eighth: Cordova struck out. Coomer hit a grounder up the middle. Knoblauch dove, knocked it down, and threw to first for the out. A key defensive play. Ochoa popped out to Martinez. The crowd was buzzing. Bottom eighth, no runs.
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The ninth inning was electric. Shave flew out to right fielder Paul O’Neill. Valentin struck out for Wells’ 11th K. Meares flew out to O’Neill. That was it! Perfect game complete. Teammates mobbed Wells on the field, carrying him off on their shoulders. The final score was 4-0. Wells threw 120 pitches, 79 strikes.
Wells’ 1998 Season and Beyond
After the perfect game, Wells went 18-4 that year with a 3.49 ERA. He led the league in shutouts. The Yankees won 114 games and the World Series against the Padres. Wells got a ring. Later, he almost threw another perfect game in September but lost it in the seventh. He played until 2007, with teams like the Padres and Dodgers. Career wins: 239.
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He was a three-time All-Star. Most perfect games come from rested pitchers. Wells came after a wild night. It shows that human will can beat odds. It’s the second for the Yankees, after Larsen’s. Both are from the same high school. The hangover makes it fun and memorable.
Discover David Wells’ Legendary “Hangover” Perfect Game
Wells’ game teaches mental toughness. Even when not feeling great, focus can lead to success. It reminds people that sports are unpredictable. Preparation matters, but so does grit. For young players, it shows believing in yourself. Wells’ story inspires overcoming challenges.
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This game is talked about in books and shows. It’s a highlight in Yankees history. Wells’ candid personality made him a fan favorite. The perfect game boosted his legacy. Even today, it’s a benchmark for pitchers. Unlike Larsen’s in the World Series under pressure, Wells’ was a regular-season game, but with personal drama.
Rogers’ in 1994 was hot and sweaty. Germany’s in 2023 was at night. Each has its twist, but Wells’ stands out for the backstory. After retiring, Wells does broadcasting and charity work. He stays connected to baseball. His perfect game is his top memory. He encourages kids to play hard but smart.
