Don Larsen: The Pitcher Who Made World Series History
Discover the story of Don Larsen, the only pitcher to throw a perfect game in World Series history, and learn about his unforgettable baseball career.
Aug 16, 202547 Shares46.9K Views
Don Larsen. Over his 15-year major league career, he had a modest record of 81 wins and 91 losses, but on one October night in 1956, he rose to immortal status by throwing the only perfect game in World Series history. That unforgettable moment earned him the World Series MVP award and forever etched his name into baseball’s greatest stories.
Early Life
Don Larsen was born on August 7, 1929, in Michigan City, Indiana, and moved with his family to San Diego in 1944. His mother worked as a housekeeper and his father was a department store salesman. He attended Point Loma High School, where he played both baseball and basketball and earned a spot on the All-Metro Conference basketball team. Though he received several college offers for basketball, he wasn’t interested in studying and chose to sign with the St. Louis Browns in 1947 after a scout noticed his pitching with a local American Legion team, giving him a signing bonus of about $850.
Career
Don Larsen pitched in Major League Baseball for 15 seasons, from 1953 to 1967, playing for seven different teams including the Yankees, Browns/Orioles, and Giants. He finished with 81 wins, 91 losses, a 3.78 ERA, and 849 strikeouts over 1,548 innings. Larsen’s career is most remembered for the only perfect game ever thrown in a World Series in Game 5 of the 1956 Series which earned him the World Series MVP and Babe Ruth Award. That historic feat remains unique in postseason history, standing as the only solo no-hitter in the World Series. Beyond that shining moment, Larsen had solid postseason success with a 4–2 record and a 2.75 ERA across five World Series appearances.
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