Ex-Yank great Don Larsen to auction off perfect game jersey, pants
May 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM by AHN · Leave a Comment
New York, NY, United States (AHN Sports) – New York Yankees legend Don Larsen will auction off the jersey and pants that he wore during his 1956 World Series perfect game to ensure that his grandchildren can pay for college.
“I’m auctioning the uniform to provide my grandsons with enough money for a college education,” the 82-year-old Larsen told The New York Times.
Larsen is the only pitcher in Major League Baseball history to toss a perfect game in the postseason and in the World Series.
“What the uniform actually sells for is not that important to me; whatever happens happens. I’m just hoping for enough to help the grandkids,” he added.
Yogi Berra, Larsen’s batterymate during that Game 5 perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, sold the uniform that he wore during that historic time for $565,000 in an auction.
“I really don’t know what it is worth,” Larsen said. “But what I do know is that in terms of historic importance, my uniform is a part of one of the greatest moments in the history of sports.”
“I have thought about that perfect game, more than once a day, every day of my life since the day I threw it,” he added.
Larsen admitted that the perfect game tremendously changed his life and helped him financially until now.
“That one game has helped me tremendously over the years with paid appearances at card shows, conventions, all sorts of things,” he said.
Steiner Sports Marketing & Memorabilia will govern Larsen’s auction that will begin on Oct. 8, the 56th anniversary of the historic event, and run until Dec. 2 on the company’s official website.
Larsen played in the Majors for 15 years, pitching for seven different teams from 1953-1967.
Larsen pitched for the St. Louis Browns (Baltimore Orioles), New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Houston Colt .45′s (Houston Astros) and Chicago Cubs.
He won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award and Babe Ruth Award in recognition of his 1956 perfect game.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
