The Untold Story: Matt Cain's Perfect Game 

Which "Untold Story" should we tell next?

I remember when my dad came into my room to wake me up that night I had no idea what was going on. It was a school night, a Wednesday and I was 9 years old. He woke me up during the break between the 8th and 9th inning and told me I needed to get up, that something really special was happening. Little did I know Matt Cain was about to throw a perfect game. I still get chills when I watch that last out, every single time.

Saw this game live, on 'accident.' I was working for SkyWest airlines and planned to fly standby that day, to see the game the next day, just for fun. First free flight I took after getting a job with SkyWest. The later flight from RDM-SFO was full so we woke up and flew down early. Wandered all over town, walked about 7 miles. Ended up at AT&T to buy some merch and ended up buying two seats. Upper deck, second row, looking straight down the third base line. I was keeping score... It was in the fifth inning - I think - and the Giants hit into a double play. Irked, I consulted my scorecard and mumbled something like "Shit. Even the astros haven't hit into a DP yet." Only to realize nobody had been on base. Pretty nuts after that. Didn't leave my seat the whole game. I saw a perfect game. Live. On accident. For 12 bucks.

We had gotten a new cat on the same day we watched this perfect game. Watched the whole game. After the game, we ended up naming our cat "Ace" after Matt Cain.

I fuckin love Matt Cain. One of the greatest giants, and people, ever

I miss having a reason to watch the Giants. The Horse, The Freak and MadBum, we were so lucky for such a short period of time. I have tears and lump in my throat watching this.

In 2012, Matt Cain Started was the Season opener, the All-Star Game and Started every closing game of the playoffs including the World Series. I’m not sure a pitcher has ever had a better year than Matt Cain did in 2012.

Still can’t believe I saw this in person. Absolutely INSANE atmosphere

This happened on my first wedding anniversary, thanks Matt and Buster , we will never forget what you boys did that day.

I’m not crying. We’re all crying!

Man this made me cry. I loved this team. The core pitchers. I’ve been watching the giants since I was 5 years old. I remember the 02 giants. But that doesn’t even come close to 10,12 and 14. Those guys had heart

Being a Giants fan felt like my sole identity as a kid even when I moved to Colorado when I was 8 years old. I was 14 when I went back to SF for a funeral and asked if we could squeeze in a Giants game. My Dad took me to this special game seated in the left field bleachers. It was one of the best days of my life and a memory I will cherish with my Dad for life. Thank you Matt Cain, I still get chills every time.

I’m a Dodgers fan and this is so well put together. Baseball is beautiful💙

I was there working concessions. Almost called out to go to a concert--needless to say, glad I didn't. It's really moving to be around 40,000 people, all there and connected, and all rooting for the same thing: a perfect game. The stadium literally shook after the last out was made.

I watched this game as a 12 year old. Now I'm 23. I can still feel every pitch of it. Thank you #18 for a memory I'll always cherish.

I was a junior in high school, I was supposed to be be studying for finals but I told myself I would just watch the first few innings of the game and than get to studying. 2 innings turned to the whole game and I'm glad I didn't study. 10 years later and those grades didn't matter and I got to witness a piece of history. Beautiful. Now go and sign Aaron Judge!

Bochy was so smart. That size 14 head of his stored more baseball knowledge than the Hall of Fame. I wish my Padres had kept him.

Told the woman who would become my wife, that I loved her for the first time right after the final out. An unforgettable game game and beautiful memory. Still happily married 10 years on. Lets go Giants!

Thank you Kelsey Rothhouse, for putting together this amazing piece! What an electric night.

I definitely cried. I am that 10 year old. Thank you so much.

Astros fan here - I remember this game clearly. Astros were in the depths of being a really bad team with no hope in sight. Cain was so dominant, he would have done this against any of the best teams that night. Its games like this (and seasons like these we had to endure) that make this current era of the team so satisfying.

Watching Matt Cain’s career was an absolute pleasure. One of my favorite Giants.

This was a magical era for the Giants and their fans.

Matt Cain was going to the same coffee shop I went to for a little while. He would be there by himself and not many knew who he was and it would just completely blow my mind that a guy a few feet away from me had thrown a perfect game.

I remember this just being another night of baseball. Started with a guy riding a water hover board. A few innings in I remember telling my wife that Cain was in top form. By the 7th I just stayed quiet not wanting to say it aloud. I still get chills hearing the call of Blanco’s catch, and the final out by Arias. Thanks Cain, that was a night I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.

I grew up w the 10/12/14 Giants, and all three WS titles were incredibly special. Despite that, there was something about watching that game that makes it just as, if not more, special. The tension was unreal the whole time, and Cain was absolutely masterful that night. Glad that I got to witness it, surely a memory I'll never forget.

Remember this game like it was yesterday. Such an amazing era of Giants baseball finally came to an end 10/01/2023. Cherish the memories of watching these Giants play the greatest game on earth. Matt Cain, you were amazing and so much fun to watch.

I played baseball at Houston High School when Matt Cain was a senior, I was a freshman and we had the privilege to try (and fail) to hit his 95 mph fastball. It was...terrifying...seeing that pitch coming in there that fast esp as a freshman but it was cool to get to experience it as well. He was drafted later that year awesome dude.

Brought a tear to my eye and I'm a Padres fan. This is the most difficult accomplishment in sports.

goddammit Riggs and Boch. I miss them so much.

i was 10 years old, my mom worked for kaiser hospital in SF at the time and giants players would frequently come to that hospital for medical needs. on a random day in 2012 kaiser gave free tickets to all the workers to go see a game one night. this was that game, and i remember that feeling being there, it was magical and unlike anything i’ve ever witnessed. It was up in the nosebleeds on the left side of the stadium. I’m 20 now and till this day i keep my buster autographed ball and matt cain framed portrait next to each other in my room to always remind me of that amazing day.

Extraordinary moment with an exceptional team.

Why do I still get nervous even if I already know the outcome? Gregor Blanco is forever my hero because of that catch.

as a former pitcher, the part resonates with is Buster Posey, the catcher is the field general, the pitcher and him get in sync, its a perfect dance, and a perfect game requires great defense which you see here in this video

I've rewatched and rewatched that game for years. I was given Bochy's lineup card from the game and have it framed. Watching this tonight...The thing I never noticed before is how much Cain hated Lou Seal! Ignored him a few times...made me laugh!

Didn't Cain rip golf balls into McCovey Cove before the game? He had to get permission from Bochy to do it. Cain had 2 once-in-a-lifetime events that day. I love this video, a lot of emotions happened watching it.

They didn’t mention Brandon Belt sitting in Cains spot in the dugout, and Cain giving him the glare that would send chills down anyone’s spine 😂😂😂

I don’t know if this matters to anyone but this is the most memorable game for me because I grew up a SF Giants fan and it was the day my daughter was born!

thank you for best childhood I could’ve asked for giants.

GREGOR BLANCO FOR THE SAVE🔥🔥🔥 Other than the War Horse's Performance, the White Shark Save was probably the greatest part of the game.

Caught myself getting goosebumps over and over again.

Love all the insight from the other players! That really made this moment even more special. Matt was a true Giant as he was drafted by them and spent his whole career with one team! Truly a special Giant! Thanks, Matt for all the wonderful memories!

I'll never forget that Gregor Blanco diving catch. One of the best plays in the outfield I've ever seen regardless of the situation but the fact that it saved the perfect game makes it imo the best defensive play ever.

I'll never get tired of revisiting this moment! What an incredible day.

i thank God to be a GIANTS fan , saludos to all GIANTS fan from around the world , saludos from Mexicali Baja California Mexico

my family and I were at this game. still gives me chills and excitement. never went to a WS game but this was once in a lifetime

Legendary. I was there. I remember being impressed with all the home runs the Giants were hitting! I was just excited to have a 10 run lead! Then, the rest unfolds. I said to myself, Cainer is feeling it. But I had no idea, he was going to do what he was going to do. When I watch it over again, I still get nervous. We all talk about Blanco’s catch, but Melky’s catch was also amazing. I thought that was a homer right off the bat. There was some magic at AT&T Park that night. The electricity in that park was unreal. I will never forget. Thank you, guys. Every one of you.

Amazing how the teammates and coaches were in num about not saying anything bc they cared so much as a fan I was nervous but excited all the same time why bc it was Cain man we loved him sooo much

I remember moving to San Francisco from Houston and one night after work I realized my Astros were in town. We were in dead last at that time and I couldn’t find one employee to go with me from work. I said oh well and purchased a single ticket to support my Astros and Matt Cain was the pitcher on this night. I remember around the 7th inning thinking “oh my god, this dude is about to throw a perfect game against my boys” I DID NOT want it to happen. Then 9th inning came and it happened. I remember standing and applauding him with chills. Bitter sweet moment but I can forever say I was at a perfect game. Great job Matt!

Such an incredible story told so beautifully in this video. Thank you Giants!

I didn't expect to tear up watching this. I miss Cain, Buster and Boch so much

I’ll never forget this game. I was sitting in section 311 in the upper deck. It was my first ever major league game at age 9, and my family and I wasn’t even supposed to be there. My pastor had tickets for his family but had to pull out at the last minute, so he gave us the tickets. I still give him hell for it to this day. We even showed up late in the top of the 2nd because we weren’t familiar with the parking at the ballpark. I remember holding my breath on that last play. Still can’t believe I got to be a small part of history.

My dad and I watched this whole game together just like any other night. After the Blanco catch we lost our minds and we were glued to the TV until the end. Standing in front of the TV like it was Game 7 of the world series, pacing back and forth in the living room 😅 mom was asleep upstairs so we were trying to be quiet and when the final out was recorded, we grabbed each other and both were silently yelling in celebration. One my favorite memories with my dad. Love baseball. Go Giants!

Normally I would watch weeknight games at home but I had a ticket from my 6-ticket pack, and I am SOOOOO glad I went to this game. Still get chills every time I see the perfecto!

I grew up in the WIll Clark era, thought we had it with Bonds, then asked ' Will I ever see the Giants win a World Series"? I can name every player from every team from 2010-2014. I am so grateful that even if you're not a Giants fan, you can look at these guys and say ' These are just some good dudes and some damn good ball players'. Together, it was magic to witness. Forever grateful. Forever Giant.

Man i remember my dad woke me up while this was going on and told me you might watch history right here And we were pumped when it happened School night my mom was mad but it was truly history

I remember talking about this game with my grandma (who made me a giants fan) countless times. 2 days before she died I put the highlights to the game on in her hospital room because she loved Cain and blanco and buster. Eternally grateful for that memory

Still gives me chills to this day. What a legendary moment for the Horse!!

I was at this game and I will never forget it!! I thought it was just going to be a fun night at the ballpark and didn’t realize I was about to witness a historical moment in sports!

I was there in the left field bleachers. It was birthday and my family got tickets for the game. I get tears of joy just reliving the moment

this was such an amazing moment in our shared giants history to relive....thank you for making this!!

I remember it live when I was 12, completely lost my mind when Gregor made that catch!!

Such an amazing group of guys! I’ll never get tired of this moment! Go Giants 🧡🖤

Blanco, Blanco, Blanco🤗

Buster said something that is 1,000,000% right. He said “a ten year old kid that was at this game is going to be able to tell his grandkids that he was at that game!”. It’s something that very much resonated with me when he said it. I’m a NYC kid that’s a diehard Yankee fan. And when I was 13 years old my mom took me to Yankee stadium solely for the reason that it was Beenie Baby day and my little sister collected Beenie Babies. So my mom got tickets so I can see a game and my sister could get the free giveaway. That day was David Wells perfect game. I remember EVERYTHING about it. Sitting 26 rows behind Posada at catcher, my mom sitting to my right & this is the honest truth, after watching Wells pitch throw 1, I turned to my mom and said “he’s going to throw a no hitter today”. I didn’t call the perfect game but I told her in the middle of the 1st inning that he’d throw a no hitter. To this day it’s an experience I’ll never forget and treasure forever. Being in a stadium for a moment that large is impactful. This video was awesome and I’m happy for Cain and Posey.

Greatest perfect game ever thrown.

👍 I ran into he and his family in SF a day or two before this game...just said, "we're all pulling for ya'!" I'll never forget the feeling I had during the game. Makes for a good story now!

My 18th birthday gift from #18. Love Matt!

Bravo filmmaking team. Such a well made mini doc. I got emotional remembering being there, and now knowing the moving parts. Phew...

I watched the end of the game 😢with my Mom at her house. It is one of the special memories that I have of spending time with her.

Beautifully told story. Such a great cast of characters too. Nostalgia. Hope the Giants can get it back together soon!!

It was GLORIOUS!!

This was the game that I started loving baseball

I remember watching this with my Mom. She died 😢two years later, and it was one of the great memories that I have with her. She was not a baseball ⚾️ fan, but she did love 💗 me, her son. I don’t know 🤷‍♂️ what else to say. I still love ❤️ my Mom and she’s been gone ten years.

The most incredible game I’ve ever been too! Nothing will top that!

such a bummer that he didnt enjoy it, i know exactly where i was who i was with and what i was doing when he did it, its a memory ill cherish as long as i live. thanks Cain

Such a great game. I remember I was at his first home start when i was a kid and sat near some of his friends. Crazy how great of a career he had with us.

Being at this game was definitely one of the biggest highlights in my life. Listening to Matt relive it I truly believe I was probably more nervous than him that night.

listened to this game on the radio during a random college road trip, hurried to a tv to watch the last couple innings

Oh gosh, chills, tears, smiles! Thanks for this video! I watched this game at at the bar in a Chili’s restaurant in Manteca, CA that night with my best friend. NOBODY left their seat till the game was over. The excitement and anticipation as the game went on grew to a level that, I’m sure that restaurant has never experienced again.

I was deployed when this happened. I'll never forget seeing the stat line and how it buoyed me the rest of that month. Beautifully bright spot in an otherwise dark year.

I was there that night, sat right below the Giants announcers. I was in town for the US Open and decided to take in a game. Thank Goodness! 😊

2012 was my favorite Giants season! Between this amazing game and being able to be at the WS in SF for games 1 and 2 will always be in my heart and yes the atmosphere at ATT was electric that year! Congrats to Matt Cain for a perfect game! Blanco’s catch was insane too! Just watched it again last night on blu ray!!

i cant believe i was lucky enough to be in those stands. i have been a Giants ever since i can remember and this hits on so many levels. what was even cooler was the season ticket holder that we bought our seats from came to the game and gave us the actual ticket stubs to that game. Such a special night that everyone i ever talk to will hear me share that i was there!

My daughter and our friend just happened to be at the park that night. The most electric experience of my lifetime. Thanks, Matt!

Giant for life. Thank you, Matt Cain.

I was 11 when I watched this game. Now I'm 22, and it's one of my favorite memories from the Giants dynasty. Thank you for making this video

My friend's brother and I were out for a few hours playing catch and decided we'd head to my place to watch the game; got back around the 6th inning I believe. My parents told us we were winning, but they didn't mention anything about the Astros not reaching base at all yet. We both noticed the big goose egg in Houston's hit column + the fact that Cain hadn't walked anyone, and gave each other a look like, "something is happening here..." Sure enough, the game that night proved to be special - the Cabrera catch @ the Warning Track, Blanco's spectacular dive, Arias' off balance game ending throw to first - and let's not forget Matt and Buster's synchronicity. That 2012 season and that team was something else. Stuff like this is great to see. Made me tear up a bit too. I'm sure every Giants fan who watched this could vividly remember exactly what they were doing that night.

Every perfect game has defensive play of the year highlights to go with it. The 2010-12-14 Giants were special

Magical moment in a magical year.

Truly special, perfect.

Its about time this game got a proper video. An incredible achievement right in the midst of our dynasty and I feel like it rarely gets attention. I was incredibly lucky to be at this game and get a signature from the man himself later that week.

You are a well respected athletic!! And i think we all get it because you are a perfectionist! Thank you Matt Cain!!

ohhhh cainer, such an amazing game, gem of a performance that we don’t get to live often🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡

I watched this live , as a kid from nor cal this goes down as a core memory

I watched it live, it was truly Awesome.

not a giants fan, but this is amazing. really really cool

I miss this team so much 😢

I will never forget that game. What an incredible game in an incredible season-all leading to our second WS win in 2 years. It was a roller coaster, that year. So many highs and lows, throughout the entire season. And, through it all-there was this amazing game.

Loved every minute of this. Matt Cain was one of my favorite pitchers in the 2010s. Sure, there were "better" pitchers, but he was always reliable and professional that I just admired how he handled himself through thick and thin.