Hunter’s Perfect Game, Raider Win Most Memorable at Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND —  Jim (Catfish) Hunter’s perfect game and one of the wildest games in Oakland Raiders’ history have been selected as the most memorable sports happenings at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex during its first 20 years.

Public balloting, as part of the Coliseum’s coming 20th anniversary celebration, was conducted in Northern California to determine the most memorable individual performance, Hunter’s pitching gem, and the most memorable moment, the Raiders-New York Jets “Heidi” game of Nov. 17, 1968.

Hunter, at age 22, pitched his perfect game for the Oakland A’s on May 8, 1968, setting down all 27 Minnesota Twins he faced and striking out 11.

The Raiders beat the Jets, 43-32, in the American Football League thriller which became known as the “Heidi” game because NBC television did not show the final minutes, in which the Raiders came from behind. The network cut off its coverage and went with the scheduled “Heidi” movie.