Yankees Legend Don Larsen Passes Away At 90

@Yankees.

Legendary Yankees pitcher Don Larsen, the only man to ever pitch a perfect game in the World Series, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 90.


Larsen's moment of glory came in the fifth game of Series on October 8, 1956, when he led the Yankees to a 2-0 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees took a 3-2 lead in the Series before they dropped the sixth game at Ebbets Field, 1-0 in 10 innings, and then won the seventh game, 9-0, to clinch the championship.

The Yankees released the following statement late Wednesday night, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Don Larsen, who remained a welcome and familiar face at our annual Old Timers' Day celebrations in the decades following his playing career.

"Don's perfect game is a defining moment for our franchise, encapsulating a storied era of Yankees success and ranking among the greatest single-game performances in Major League Baseball history. The unmitigated joy reflected in his embrace with Yogi Berra after the game's final out was the pinnacle of baseball success and a reminder of the incredible, unforgettable things that can take place on a baseball field.

"The Yankees organization extends its deepest condolences to Don's family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed."

The right-hander pitched for 14 seasons from 1953 to 1967, and in addition to the Yankees, pitched for the St. Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs.

Larsen pitched for the Yankees from 1955 to 1959, and his best season was 1956 when he went 11-5 with a 3.26 ERA. He went 45-24 overall for the Yankees, with a 3.50 ERA, notching over half of his 81 career victories in New York (he went 81-91 in his career, weighed down by a 3-21 record in 1954 with Baltimore).