Was Domingo German's perfect game his biggest achievement? Looking back on the controversial pitcher's career amid his MLB return

Of the twenty-four pitchers in MLB history to have been credited with a perfect game, Domingo German may be the most obscure. Now the controversial, yet historic starter appears to be receiving a second chance.

In June 2023, German was playing for the New York Yankees against the Athletics and the Coliseum in Oakland. Although the A's were putting up a rather uncompetitive campaign, virtually nobody expected the 30-year-old Dominican to toss the entire ballgame, let alone make history.

But after sitting down 26 members of the Oakland Athletics, German sat on the mound staring down history, which lay within the task of outing the last hitter of the game, Esteury Ruiz.

"The No. 3 Play of the Year is Domingo Germán’s perfect game – the first in MLB since 2012." - MLB

German did the improbable and got Ruiz to ground out to third baseman Josh Donaldson, earning him the 24th perfect game in history, making him the fourth member of the New York Yankees to do so.

However, German had made headlines before throwing the perfect game, and not for the right reasons. In 2019, the pitcher attended a party thrown by then-Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. Per witness reports, German was seen physically assaulting his girlfriend. He was subsequently handed an 81-game suspension on account of the incident.

Even after his perfect game against the Oakland Athletics in June 2023, his demons remained present. By August 2023, Domingo German was 5-7 with a 4.56 ERA when he decided to voluntarily enter alcohol treatment. The decision was apparently made after German's teammates witnessed drunken behavior in the clubhouse.

In March, German's career showed signs of rejuvenation when he signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After spring training, German was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he would play alongside 2023 first-round draft pick Paul Skenes.

After re-signing a new minor league deal with the Pirates on July 21, German was selected on August 9. and made his first MLB appearance in nearly a year on the same day.

Domingo German ready for second chance in MLB

On August 9, German made his first MLB appearance in months, pitching four innings against the Dodgers, striking out three, and allowing three earned runs. As the 32-year-old told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about his opportunity:

"I feel really happy (to be back in MLB)"

An arm who has certainly made history, let's see if Domingo German's second chance will bear as much fruit as his first.