October 8, 1956

Introduction

If there is one day in the annals of American Major League Baseball that stands as a testament to excellence, it is October 8, 1956. This day saw Don Larson of New York Yankees pitching the only perfect game in the history of World Series.

The Main Event

On this balmy autumn afternoon in Yankee Stadium, Larson delivered what can only be described as a stunning performance in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not a single Dodger reached base, making Larson’s feat a “perfect game” – 27 batters up, 27 batters down.

The New York Yankees had squared off against their cross-borough rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers, in an atmosphere filled with anticipation. With the series tied at two games apiece, Larson took the mound on what was to become a day of spectacular history.

Larson, a journeyman pitcher, had an inconsistent record leading up to this game. No one, perhaps Larson least of all, expected this would be the day he would etch his name into baseball lore. But from his first pitch to the last, Larson was untouchable. The Brooklyn Dodgers, stacked with Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, and Pee Wee Reese, could do nothing but return to the dugout, time after time.

Larson’s last pitch, striking out Dale Mitchell, sparked uproarious applause from the crowd. The player’s euphoria matched the stadium’s, and catcher Yogi Berra famously leapt into Larson’s arms in celebration of the spectacular achievement.

Interesting Facts for Kids:

1. A perfect game in baseball means that no player from the opposing team reaches the base in any way – no hits, walks, or errors. Don Larson achieved this feat!

2. Yogi Berra, the catcher who jumped into Larson’s arms at the end of the game, was a famous baseball player himself. He is known for his funny quotes, one of which is – “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

Educational activities for Kids

1. Draw or paint a picture of the final pitch of the game, with catcher Yogi Berra just about to jump into Don Larson’s arms.

2. Write a short story on how you think Don Larson might have felt during different parts of the game – when he started, halfway through, and after the final pitch.

Conclusion

Don Larson’s incredible feat on October 8, 1956, stands as a testament to how sheer determination and focus can yield history-making results. This perfectly pitched game, the only of its kind in the World Series to date, reveals the unpredictability and excitement that resonate at the heart of baseball, making it truly a day to remember in the annals of American sports history.

References:

1. “Don Larsen’s World Series Perfect Game.” History.com. Updated; August 21, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/don-larsens-world-series-perfect-game
2. Larson, Don and Allen, Bob. (1996). “The Perfect Yankee: The Incredible Story of the Greatest Miracle in Baseball History.” New York: St. Martin’s Press.
3. Paper, Lewis. (2009). “Perfect: Don Larsen’s Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made it Happen.” New York: New American Library.

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