which pitcher threw the only perfect game in world series history?
Which pitcher threw the only perfect game in World Series history?
The only pitcher to throw a perfect game in World Series history is Don Larsen, who played for the New York Yankees. This historic achievement occurred on October 8, 1956, during Game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Key Takeaways
- Pitcher: Don Larsen (New York Yankees)
- Date: October 8, 1956 (Game 5)
- Opponent: Brooklyn Dodgers
- Score: 2–0
- Achievement: 27 up, 27 down (No hits, no walks, no errors)
Table of Contents
- The Historic Achievement of Don Larsen
- Game Breakdown and Context
- The Impact on Baseball History
- Summary Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Historic Achievement of Don Larsen
Don Larsen was an unlikely candidate for baseball immortality. Entering the 1956 World Series, he had a career that was relatively average, but his performance on that Monday afternoon at Yankee Stadium became the greatest single-game pitching performance in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
A “perfect game” is defined as a game in which a pitcher faces the minimum 27 batters and not a single player from the opposing team reaches first base. This means zero hits, zero walks, and zero hit-by-pitches.
Pro Tip: In the history of the MLB, there have been over 235,000 games played, but only 24 perfect games have ever been recorded. Don Larsen’s remains the only one achieved during the postseason.
Game Breakdown and Context
In Game 2 of the same series, Larsen had been pulled after only two innings. When he arrived for Game 5, he found a baseball in his shoe—the traditional signal from manager Casey Stengel that he would be the starting pitcher.
- The Final Out: The game ended with Larsen striking out Dale Mitchell on a called third strike.
- The Iconic Image: Immediately after the final out, catcher Yogi Berra famously leaped into Larsen’s arms, creating one of the most enduring images in American sports history.
- Efficiency: Larsen threw only 97 pitches to complete the feat, a remarkably efficient number for a 9-inning game.
The Impact on Baseball History
Larsen’s perfect game helped lead the Yankees to a World Series title in seven games. He was named the World Series MVP for his performance. While other pitchers like Roy Halladay have thrown “no-hitters” in the postseason, no one else has ever achieved perfection on the game’s biggest stage.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | Don Larsen |
| Team | New York Yankees |
| Event | 1956 World Series, Game 5 |
| Venue | Yankee Stadium |
| Result | Perfect Game (27-0) |
| Final Score | Yankees 2, Dodgers 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has anyone else thrown a no-hitter in the World Series?
No. While there have been other no-hitters in the MLB postseason (such as Roy Halladay in the 2010 NLDS and a combined no-hitter by the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series), Don Larsen is the only person to throw a Perfect Game in the World Series.
2. Who was the catcher for Don Larsen’s perfect game?
The legendary Yogi Berra was the catcher. His leap into Larsen’s arms is one of the most famous celebrations in sports.
3. How many pitches did Don Larsen throw?
Larsen threw exactly 97 pitches. Of those, 71 were strikes and 26 were balls.
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