Former MLB pitcher Don Larsen cemented his name as a sports icon and baseball immortal by tossing a perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series as a member of the New York Yankees in a 2-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers at Yankee Stadium.
Although he never posted Hall of Fame stats over his 14-year career, Larsen is forever remembered for a magical Monday afternoon on October 8, 1956 in the Bronx by keeping a potent Dodgers offense featuring Hall of Famers Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider off-balance with his unorthodox delivery and 97 total pitches.
The end result was the first perfect game and no-hitter in postseason history, as Larsen walked off the mound after striking out pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell for the 27th and final out, thus leading to one of the greatest picture-perfect moments in American sports history when Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra leapt into his arms.
Larsen's postseason feat remained unique for 54 years until Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS to officially join the Yankee icon as the only two pitchers in MLB history to achieve this honor.
Still, Larsen remains the lone major league pitcher to ever throw a perfect game in World Series history.
The 81-year-old Larsen, who resides in Hayden Lake, Idaho, has recently found his name back in the headlines due to Halladay's no-hit performance and the curiosity of whether Cy Young Award winners Cliff Lee or Tim Lincecum could potentially flirt with perfection for the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series.
What does Larsen think?
"Who really knows," Larsen said via a phone interview Wednesday in reference to the possibility of Lee or Lincecum pitching a World Series perfect game. "Records are made to be broken. I'm not always aware of who some of these players are because they move around so much these days.
"I know that Halladay pitched that no-hitter recently, and that was great for the game. I'm aware of Lee and Lincecum's talent.
"Anything great can happen, but personally, I hope my World Series perfect game isn't ever duplicated by another pitcher. I don't mean that to sound bad. I'm just really proud of it."
Larsen recalls departing the Yankees in a trade that sent him to the Kansas City Athletics in exchange for Roger Maris before landing with San Francisco for three seasons.
Ironically, the legendary right-hander faced several of his former Yankee teammates in the 1962 World Series, which ended with New York capturing the series over the Giants after Hall of Famer Willie McCovey lined out to second baseman Bobby Richardson with the tying (Matty Alou) and winning run (Willie Mays) at third and second base to end Game 7.
"I'm still mad about that series," said Larsen, who earned the victory as a relief pitcher in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. "We had the momentum going into Game 7 and should have won the series.
"It would have been the first World Series title brought to San Francisco after the team moved out to the West Coast in 1958.
"We couldn't get a run that day and lost 1-0."
Larsen, who considers himself a lifelong Yankee, typically cheers for the American League in World Series play, but finds a part of himself wanting the Giants to capture its first World Series title in 56 years, considering he enjoyed his three-year tenure in the Bay Area.
"I'm not really sure who I want to see win," Larsen said. "I'll probably go back and forth cheering for both teams. I'll root for the Giants one day, then the Rangers the following game.
"I want to see the series go seven games, and of course, Major League Baseball wouldn't mind that to help the ratings."
Also, Larsen wants the Giants and Rangers to cherish their 2010 World Series experience, noting that players change teams frequently in today's game due to trades and free agency.
"The game has evolved for players to change teams," Larsen said. "That's fine ... it's still a great game. I remember in my experience, I never wanted to leave the Yankees, but what can you do?
"When I arrived in Houston to play for the Colt .45s in 1964, I didn't want to leave there either. I liked playing in Houston, especially when we moved into the Astrodome as the Houston Astros in 1965. I liked pitching in that indoor stadium, but I ended up back in Baltimore.
"As a pitcher, I never believed in hitter's or pitcher's ballparks. You can pitch well anywhere if you've got the stuff. You play the game hard and try to win each time you put on that uniform."
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