Figuring there have only been 23 perfect games in the history of Major League Baseball (dating back more than 120 years), seeing one of those in person is a feat in itself. To see two perfect games in one season is a completely different achievement. And then, to see two perfect games in the first two big league games of your life — that’s just incredible.
Bode and Paul Dockal at Phil Humber’s perfect game on April 21, 2012
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Bode Dockal. He’s just a year old and he’s already seen two perfect games — in the only two Major League Baseball games he’s ever been to. Bode is too young to understand what he’s seen, and there’s no way he’ll ever remember perfection, but his father Paul Dockal is keeping it all documented for him.
“This past weekend I took my son to his first major league baseball game,” Paul wrote on his ‘Blog for Dads‘ back in April. “What an amazing day.”
Well, that’s because Chicago White Sox pitcher Phil Humber tossed a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. 27 batters up; 27 batters down. And Bode Dockal, at just nine months old, was there to see them all.
“The first thing I said to my wife was, ‘This is the best day I’ve ever had with my son.’” Paul told MLB.com.
Little did Paul know he would witness history with his little boy again — the very next time they went to a game together.
Bode and Paul Dockal at Felix Hernandez’s perfect game on August 15, 2012
According to an article on MLB.com, Paul took Bode back to Safeco Field on August 15th. The Dockal’s had family in town and the visitors wanted to watch some baseball. And watch baseball they did — perfect baseball. As fate would have it, Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez tossed a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s the first time in Major League Baseball history two perfect games have been thrown in the same stadium in one season.
I would have died to see just one of those perfect games in person. I was in Europe when Humber threw the first perfecto, and I was in my car driving to work when Hernandez finished off his masterpiece. Luckily, being a local sports guy in Seattle, I was still able to capture the excitement of Hernandez’s gem in our newscasts that night. It almost felt like I was actually there, but that’s not nearly enough for me. I’ll keep buying tickets until I win the baseball lottery. Something Bode Dockal’s done twice — and he’s just a toddler.
Have you ever seen a perfect game in person? I would love to hear your story (so I can live vicariously through you)! Leave a comment below or connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and/or Google+. Don’t forget to also check out more of my sports coverage right here on All Around Tim!
