Why forget Harvey Haddix?

Question

A recent Yahoo question asked if anyone ever lost a no-hitter in baseball. Some guy from Houston was cited as the sole example as I remember it. But why did no one give Harvey Haddix who lost a perfect game in the 13th inning. He pitched 12 perfect innings and lost after giving up a hit in the 13th. So he pitched a 9 inning perfect game and lost it.

Answer 1

Baseball games are scheduled to go nine innings. However, if the game is tied after nine innings it continues until there is a winner. Haddix finished the game pitching 12 perfect innings of a 13 inning game. It would be the same as pitching 8 perfect innings of a 9 inning game. Since a game is not completed until you have a winner, Haddix did not have a perfect game, did not have a no hitter, did not have a shutout, and did not win the game, but did have a great performance.

Answer 2

Although you are somewhat correct in that Haddix retired 36 consecutive batters before entering the 13th inning, that game will go down in history as one of the strangest on record. Haddix lost his perfect game in the 13th when 3B Don Hoak made an error, the next batter was intentionally walked and a young Hank Aaron hit a home run, which was later ruled a single when he did not run it out. So technically, he did pitch a 12-inning perfect game and no-hitter, but lost them, and the game in the 13th.

Answer 3

By MLB rules, Haddix's performance doesn't count as a no-hitter because he allowed one in the 13th inning. Anyone who knows anything about baseball, however, acknowledges the greatness of his quixotic achievement.

Answer 4

Because by definition, it was neither a perfect game nor a no-hitter. Amazing feat, but it doesn't meet the criteria for either. You can't lose a perfect game nor can you allow a hit in a no-hitter.