May 26, 1959, in Milwaukee, on the mound
Harvey Haddix of the Pirates was mowing 'em down
27 up, 27 gone, nine innings in the book
And not a man had gotten on
Now, in history, only 17 have thrown a perfect game
A most exclusive club, and a most exalted fame
But after nine, the Pirates hadn't scored
A perfect game, and still old Harvey had to pitch some more
David Wells, David Cone, Sandy Koufax, Cy Young
Jim Bunning, Tom Browning, Charlie Robertson
Don Larsen in the Series in 1956
Why don't we add old Harvey to that list?
10th inning down, 11th inning down, he moved on to the 12th
Three straight outs, and the fans were pinching themselves
The best game ever pitched, and still a scoreless tie
Poor Harvey had to carry on and give it one more try
Thirteen's never lucky, so you can guess the rest
Harv gave up a hit, and then he lost the whole contest
I wonder how he slept that night, knowing how close he came
To a most exclusive club that should include his name
David Wells, David Cone, Randy Johnson, Addie Joss
Kenny Rogers, Mike Witt, Dennis Martinez
Don Larsen in the Series in 1956
Why don't we add old Harvey to that list?
The search for perfection is a funny thing, at least as I've been told
It drives you nuts, it makes you curse, and eats away at your soul
Sometimes better isn't better, sometimes justice just ain't served
Sometimes legend isn't laid where it's most deserved
But humanity is flawed, as the losers will attest
We're drawn to tragic stories, the ones that suit us best
But for 12 innings on that fateful day, old Harvey was a god
A perfect game, if nothing else, because perfection's always flawed
David Wells, David Cone, Lee RIchmond, Monte Ward
Len Barker against the Jays and Catfish for the A's
Don Larsen in the Series in 1956
Why don't we add old Harvey to that list?