In 54 Don Larsen made a name enough for himself to win a coveted Starting Pitching Job for the Yanx. Larsen came to the Yanx from the St. Louis/Baltimore Browns in an 18 Player Trade: During ST in St. Petersburg: Larsen was (obviously drunk) when he ran into a pole on the highway, at 4 am. When stopped Larsen told the Fla. Trooper, the "Pole was speeding" and Don told reporters: "I hope Stengel doesn't fine me". Stengel said: "Fine Him, why he oughta get an award for finding something to do in this town, after midnight"... This quote is from the book: "The Era: When the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers ruled the World".... The book reveals the heavy trials Larsen was going thru right up to his Perfect game in the 55 Series. One would think for a SP to do as much in a W.S. something Major had to be no his mind, or he was in a great mental place to groove the entire game. The opposite is more turn, tho' he was driven hard, with the Press Publishing Larsen's dirty laundry divorce, just prior to the Series. He was driven alright, as the Press exposed the Court Order, His Wife had her attorney's petition the Bronx Courts to hold Don's W.S. Share of Monies, for his infant daughter. Don was NO dead beat dad at all. Yet his wife had a lawyer, get a judge to have both Larsen, The Yankees, and Commissioner Ford Frick explain why Don's World Series money share should NOT be seized by the Courts. After the Series, ignoring the pressure of the press and his wife, Don made his trip to give his Daughter his entire W.S. Share. Not because he was hounded, but because he was a good Father, who loved his Daughter regardless of her mother's antics. ON his own free will, Larsen did as much, yet this was all flooding the news, when Larsen made History......
Don Larsen pitched well and won a BIG game in the 1958 WS for the Yanks otherwise the Milwaukee Braves could very well have beaten those "1950s Yankees" in back to back WS.
What's also amazing is that just two years earlier 1954 he lost over 20 games for Baltimore going 3-21 And aside from the 56 season when he won 11 games he only won 10 or more games once which was the following year in 57 when he won 10. And finished with a 14 year career mark of 81-91. Talk about being the unlikeliest pitcher to throw a perfect game let alone in a world series.
Larsen was the hard luck kid, who never gave up, long enough to have a illustrious colorful career.... Larsen Pitched 1,548 Innings in His 14 year career......, I listened to Houston Colt 45 games beginning in 64, on a Transistor Radio, from Shreveport, (also got Cards feeds, as did in Wichita-[in KS we always got KC too]). When I went to bed, the Radio stayed on. In 64, Don was used in Middle Relief, 20 Times, and Started 10 times. His ERA was a surprisingly low .226, but with a 4-8 W-L Record. From 1962-64.5, For 2 1/2 yrs prior with a Very Good SF Giants Team; Don Pitched in Relief of 49 and 46 Games, with O Starts, but had a respectable ERA in SF in only 1 yr out of 3.
You're aging yourself Rob. Did you use the ear plug at night so mom & dad wouldn't hear you. I use to fall asleep listening to cousin Brucie here in NY.
