Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: A Look Back

Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series is one of the most iconic baseball moments of all time. Here’s a look back at that historic game and Larsen’s career.

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Don Larsen’s perfect game: A brief history

On October 8, 1956, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen delivered one of the most improbable performances in baseball history: a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series. It was the first (and to date, only) time a perfect game had been pitched in the postseason.

Larsen’s perfect game came against a strong Brooklyn Dodgers lineup that featured seven future Hall of Famers. The Dodgers had won the first two games of the World Series, but the Yankees rallied to win the next two. With the series tied at two games apiece, Larsen took the mound for Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.

Larsen was not one of the Yankees’ best pitchers that season; he had gone 7-12 with a 4.56 ERA during the regular season. In fact, he had pitched just 3 innings in the postseason up to that point. But on this day, Larsen was almost unhittable. He cruised through the Dodgers lineup, retiring all 27 batters he faced. When Ralph Branca swung and missed at strike three for the final out, Larsen had made history.

Larsen’s perfect game is still considered one of the greatest pitching performances in baseball history. It’s also remembered for being one of the most unlikely – after all, who would have expected a pitcher with a losing record to throw a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series?

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The game itself

On October 8, 1956, in the third game of the World Series, New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in postseason history. All 27 batters he faced were retired, and the Yankees went on to win the game, 2–0. The victory gave the Yankees a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Larsen’s perfect game was also the first no-hitter in World Series history. It was the only World Series game in which nobody reached first base until Larsen himself did so on an error in the top of the seventh inning. It is widely considered one of baseball’s greatest achievements.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The aftermath

It was the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. The New York Yankees were leading the Brooklyn Dodgers 2–0. Don Larsen, the Yankee pitcher, had retired 26 batters in a row. One more out and Larsen would achieve something that had never been done before in baseball history: a perfect game—a game in which no opposing player reaches first base.

The batter was pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell. On the first pitch, Mitchell hit a sharp ground ball to Yankee third baseman Andy Carey, who threw him out at first to complete the perfect game.

The final score was 2–0, and Larsen’s perfect game remains the only one pitched in postseason play. It was also the first no-hitter ever pitched in a World Series game.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The legacy

It’s been more than 60 years since Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history, and his legacy continues to this day.

Larsen’s perfect game was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable career. He went just 81-91 with a 4.16 ERA in his 10-year big league career, but he’ll always be remembered for that one magical day on October 8, 1956.

Larsen’s perfect game came at a time when the Yankees were dominating baseball. They’d won the World Series in each of the previous four seasons, and they were heavy favorites to win again in 1956. But Larsen’s gem helped the Yankees seal a hard-fought seven-game victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The perfect game was also a bright spot in an otherwise tough year for Larsen. He’d gone just 9-10 with a 4.57 ERA in the regular season, but he was at his best when it mattered most.

Larsen’s perfect game is still revered by baseball fans today. It’s been commemorated with statues, movies, and books, and it remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The impact on baseball

Don Larsen’s perfect game on October 8, 1956 is often considered one of the greatest baseball games ever pitched. Larsen’s effort helped the Yankees win Game 5 of the World Series 1-0 against the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was the first, and to date, only perfect game in World Series history.

Larsen’s game had a significant impact on baseball. For one, it showed that a team could win a close game without scoring any runs. That was a big change from the way baseball had been played up to that point.

It also showed that a pitcher could dominate a game without giving up any hits. That was something that had never been done before in baseball history.

Larsen’s perfect game helped change the way baseball was played and it is still considered one of the greatest games ever pitched.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The impact on the Yankees

Don Larsen’s perfect game is one of the most famous baseball games ever pitched. Read about the impact it had on the Yankees and Major League Baseball sixty years later.

On October 8th, 1956, New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history. In doing so, he cemented his place in baseball lore and made history for his team.

The perfect game came at a time when the Yankees were struggling. They had lost the first two games of the World Series and were down 3-2 in the series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. A win was desperately needed, and Larsen delivered.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to gain an advantage. It wasn’t until the bottom of the ninth inning that Larsen truly locked down, retiring all three batters he faced to preserve the perfect game.

The win was a turning point for the Yankees, who went on to win the next three games and take home their nineteenth World Series title. For Larsen, it was a career-defining moment. He would go on to pitch for another eleven seasons but never came close to duplicating his perfection.

Sixty years later, Larsen’s perfect game remains one of baseball’s most iconic moments. It is a reminder of what can be achieved on the diamond and of what can happen when everything comes together perfectly.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The impact on Larsen

Larsen’s perfect game was a defining moment in his life and career. It thrust him into the public spotlight and made him a household name. It also had a profound impact on Larsen personally. The perfect game was a watershed moment that helped Larsen come to terms with his own imperfections and find a new level of peace and self-acceptance.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The reactions

It’s been 60 years since Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series, and the reactions to his accomplishment are still coming in.

Fans and players alike have offered their thoughts on what Larsen’s achievement means to them, with many calling it the greatest moment in baseball history.

“It was the absolute perfect game,” says Larsen’s former teammate Yogi Berra. “Everything went right that day.”

Former Yankees manager Joe McCarthy called it “the greatest pitching performance I ever saw.”

And former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said Larsen’s feat was “one of the greatest moments in Yankee history.”

Larsen himself has said that he doesn’t think about the perfect game very often, but when he does, he still can’t believe it happened.

“It’s hard to believe that I did something that nobody else has ever done,” he told MLB.com in 2010. “It’s mind-boggling.”

Don Larsen’s perfect game: The legacy continues

On October 8, 1956, Yankees pitcher Don Larsen made history by pitching a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. It was a momentous achievement, and one that has gone down in baseball lore.

Larsen’s perfect game was the first and only one ever pitched in a World Series. It was also the only no-hitter ever pitched in postseason play. For his efforts, Larsen was named the World Series MVP.

In the years since his achievement, Larsen has become something of a cult hero. He is recognized as one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history, and his perfect game is still spoken of with reverence.

Larsen’s legacy continues to this day. Every year on October 8, Yankees fans celebrate “Don Larsen Day” at Yankee Stadium. And Larsen’s perfect game is still considered one of the greatest moments in Yankees history.

Don Larsen’s perfect game: A final look back

It’s been 60 years since Don Larsen pitched baseball’s only perfect game in postseason history. Here’s a final look back at one of the game’s most amazing feats.

On October 8, 1956, New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen accomplished something that no one else has ever done: he pitched a perfect game in the World Series. In fact, it was the first and only time in history that a perfect game has ever been pitched in postseason play.

Larsen’s road to that historic achievement was far from perfect. He had a losing record during the regular season and was not even the Yankees’ primary pitcher in the World Series. But on that October afternoon, he was simply unstoppable.

Larsen retired all 27 batters he faced, including future Hall of Famers Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson. It was a performance for the ages, and one that has been remembered fondly by baseball fans for 60 years.

So what does the future hold for perfect games? It’s hard to say. There have been 23 perfect games pitched in Major League Baseball history, but none since 2012. Perhaps we’ll have to wait another 60 years before we see another one. Or maybe someone will do it tomorrow. Either way, Larsen’s place in history is secure.