Signature Game

Oct. 8, 1956 - Two years ago, Don Larsen had a 3-21 record with the Baltimore Orioles. Today, he became the toast of the baseball world. The imperfect man pitched a perfect game - in the World Series. The New York Yankees righthander, known more for his partying than pitching, hurled the only perfect game (and only no-hitter as well) in Series history in beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0.

Three days after failing to hold a 6-0 lead in Game 2, the no-windup pitcher wound up his classic performance in Game 5 by slipping a called third strike to pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell before 64,519 breathless fans at Yankee Stadium.

Larsen, who came to the Yankees in an 17-player trade, was helped by three outstanding fielding plays. In the second inning, Jackie Robinson's hard grounder went off third baseman Andy Carey's glove, but shortstop Gil McDougald recovered the ball in time to throw out Robinson.

In the fifth, centerfielder Mickey Mantle, whose homer had staked Larsen to a 1-0 lead, streaked into deep left-center to make a backhanded catch and rob Gil Hodges of an extra-base hit. In the eighth, it was Carey's turn to rob Hodges, as he lunged to catch Hodges' liner inches off the ground.

Odds 'n' Ends