Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"New York City and baseball fans across the nation witnessed perfection on Sunday afternoon," Mayor Giuliani said. "Yankee hurler David Wells made history by pitching only the second perfect game in Bronx Bomber history and the first-ever during the regular season by retiring 27 consecutive Minnesota Twins. In a 4-0 Yankee victory, David became the 13th pitcher in modern day major league history to toss a perfect game. Wells amazed the 50,000 Yankee Stadium fans, striking out 11 batters, allowing only seven balls out of the infield and tossing a lethal assortment of pitches that baffled the Twins.
"David's achievement would not have been possible without the tremendous defensive talent of his teammates," the Mayor continued. "Second baseman Chuck Knoblauch deftly handled a wicked one-hop grounder in the eighth inning, rightfielder Paul O'Neill hauled in the final out and, of course, catcher Jorge Posada called the perfect game.
"The grit and determination that David 'Boomer' Wells displayed Sunday gave Yankee fans a moment to cherish and a reason to believe this already magical season will only get better. Sunday's performance is one for the ages and is another extraordinary chapter in the history of the Yankees. On behalf of all New Yorkers, the City with the world's greatest baseball fans, it is a great pleasure to present David Wells - Mr. Perfect - with the Key to the City," the Mayor concluded.
Joining the Mayor and David Wells at today's ceremony were Yankee Manager Joe Torre, Catcher Jorge Posada, Bench Coach Don Zimmer, Organist Edie Layton, Vocalist Robert Merrill and Broadcasters John Sterling and Michael Kay. Children from the Joe Torre Little League, Our Lady of Pompeii School and Sister Marguerite Torre's The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School also attended.
Last Sunday, David Wells became the 13th hurler to pitch a perfect game in modern day baseball history. His record for the season is five wins and one loss with a 4.45 earned run average. Wells' is currently fifth on the American League strikeout list with 51.
The Key to the City honors distinguished persons, honored guests and outstanding civic contributions to New York City. The presentation of a Key to the City can be traced back to medieval times, when cities were enclosed by walls and locked gates. By the middle of the 1800's, it became customary to give a Key to the City as a direct symbol of the City's wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will.