Don Larsen, who threw only perfect game in World Series history, dies at 90
Former pitcher Don Larsen, who threw the only perfect game in World Series history in 1956, died Wednesday at the age of 90.
Larsen had been battling esophagus cancer, according to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Don Larsen, who remained a welcome & familiar face at our annual Old-Timers’ Day celebrations. The Yankees organization extends its deepest condolences to Don’s family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/OgOdofzSTS
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 2, 2020
Larsen was just 26 years old and in his fourth season when he threw his perfect game for the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
Just a few days after manager Casey Stengel removed him in the second inning of his Game 2 start, Larsen struck out seven Brooklyn Dodgers on 97 pitches and only went to one three-ball count. The only close call was Gil Hodges' deep fly ball to center field that Mickey Mantle caught in spectacular fashion.
After Larsen struck out Dale Mitchell to seal the perfect game, catcher Yogi Berra jumped into the pitcher's arms, instantly creating an iconic World Series image.
The world is less “perfect” today. Don Larsen, the only man to pitch a perfect game in World Series history, is gone. Goodbye, my friend. We will miss you! @dcone36 @BoomerWells33 @Yankees @MLB @YESNetwork @WFAN660 @MLBNetwork @espn pic.twitter.com/X9X9y3gbSM
— Andrew Levy (@ALevyNYC) January 2, 2020
At the time, Larsen's perfect game was only the sixth in MLB history and the first since 1922. He remains the only pitcher to throw a perfect game or no-hitter in a World Series contest, and Larsen's flawless outing is one of only two no-hitters in postseason play alongside Roy Halladay's no-no in the 2010 NLDS.
"I probably think about it at least 10, 20 times a day," he told Jake Brown of CBS Sports New York in 2016. "You know I get into wondering things or read the paper or this and that or watch the other sports when I read or watch it on TV. It automatically comes to me."
Though never a star pitcher, Larsen is still a key figure in baseball history thanks to his perfect game.
On July 18, 1999, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Berra at Yankee Stadium, then watched from the stands as the Yankees' David Cone threw a perfect game of his own.
RIP my friend. #DonLarsen pic.twitter.com/s5nqRnbdQ5
— David Cone (@dcone36) January 2, 2020
Don Larsen spoke for about 5 minutes at David Cone’s 20th anniversary celebration of Cone’s perfect game last year and he stole the show. His stories, his delivery and his cooler-than-you demeanor stood out. He’ll be missed. RIP to the pitcher who was perfect for one magical day
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 2, 2020
In 2012, Larsen auctioned off memorabilia from his perfect game to pay for his grandchildren's college education.
Larsen, who broke in with the St. Louis Browns in 1953, spent five years with the Yankees during a nomadic 14-year major-league career. He accumulated an 81-91 record with a 3.78 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 849 strikeouts, and 23 saves over 412 appearances with seven franchises.
The right-hander also pitched in five World Series - four with the Yankees, and one with the Giants against New York - winning two.