Happy Birthday Don Larsen who turns 86 years young today! Larsen came to the Yankees in a trade from the Orioles in 1955. His most memorable moment in pinstripes is his perfect game in the 1956 World Series. It was game five against the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 8, 1956 with Yogi Berra behind the plate catching. It remains the only perfect game thrown in World Series history and was the only no hitter in postseason play until 2010.
He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in 1960 after five years in the Bronx. He spent time with the White Sox, Giants, Astros, Orioles and Cubs before retiring in 1968. In his Yankee tenure, he went 45-24 with a 3.50 ERA and two World Series titles. His performance in the ’56 Series won him World Series MVP honors and the Babe Ruth Award.
Larsen was a part of another Yankee perfect game nearly 43 years after his. On July 18, 1999, he was on hand for Yogi Berra day at the Stadium when David Cone pitched the third perfecto in Yankees history. You could call him a good luck charm.
The Bronx Faithful says happy birthday Don!
