Haddix is probably best known for his “near perfect game.” During a start against the Braves in 1959, Haddix retired 36 consecutive batters and carried a perfect game into the 13th inning. Unfortunately, the opposing pitcher (Lee Burdette) was pitching a shutout. After an error by the third baseman ended Haddix’s perfect game, the Braves hit a home run and won the game 1-0.
Many observers believed that Haddix’s twelve and two-thirds innings of perfect baseball was the best pitching performance in the history of the game. What made it even more remarkable was that Haddix was sick at the time, and Milwaukee’s bullpen were stealing signs. The only player who didn’t steal signs that night was Hank Aaron, who scored the winning run.
While this was Haddix’s most famous game, he often said his most meaningful games came a year later when he was playing for the Pirates. During the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees, Haddix not only won Game 5 as a starter, he also won Game 7 after coming into relief late in the game and picked up the win.
Haddix later played for the Baltimore Orioles, and Jim Palmer credited him for teaching him how to be a big league pitcher.
