World Series legend Don Larsen passes away at 90

Don Larsen, the Yankees pitcher who pitched the only perfect game in World Series history (1956), has died at 90 years old.  Larsen’s overall record was pedestrian at best, sporting an 81-91 record with a 3.78 career ERA.  However, on October 8th, 1956 he was the best pitcher in the world.

It took Larsen only 97 pitches to complete the perfect game and only one batter (Pee-Wee Reese) was able to get the count to three balls.  Mickey Mantle hit the lone home run in the game in a 2-0 win for the Yankees.  Larsen’s perfect game came in a very important Game 5.  The Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers had split the first four games of the series.

Larsen was the last living ballplayer in that game before his passing.  He will forever be remembered as a hero in Yankees lore and was a regular during the Old Timer’s Game at Yankee Stadium.