Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Don Larsen, who pitched only perfect World Series game, dies at 90

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/2/20

Don Larsen, who is known for pitching the only perfect game in World Series history, died on Wednesday at the age of 90.

Larsen’s representative Andrew Levy shared the news of the former pitcher’s passing via Twitter.

The world is less “perfect” today. Don Larsen, the only man to pitch a perfect game in World Series history, is gone. Goodbye, my friend. We will miss you! @dcone36 @BoomerWells33 @Yankees @MLB @YESNetwork @WFAN660 @MLBNetwork @espn pic.twitter.com/X9X9y3gbSM

— Andrew Levy (@ALevyNYC) January 2, 2020

According to ESPN, Levy said Larsen died of esophageal cancer in hospice care in Hayden, Idaho.

Larsen went 81-91 over his 14-year MLB career and pitched for seven teams. He is best known for his five-year stint with the New York Yankees from 1955-1959. In the 1956 World Series, Larsen, who was knocked out of Game 2 early, got the start in Game 5 with the series tied at two between his Yankees and the Dodgers. He pitched a perfect game as the Yankees prevailed 2-0 to take a 3-2 series lead and eventually won it all in seven. Larsen was named World Series MVP.

Larsen pitched in five World Series overall — four in a row with the Yankees — winning two.

Larsen has actually said he didn’t know he had thrown a perfect game until after the fact. He said he knew it was a no-hitter, but he didn’t know what a perfect game was.

Here is a video from MLB Network in which Larsen and Yogi Berra talk about the perfect game, with the pitcher sharing his admission.

MLB Network mourns the passing of Don Larsen.

We debuted 11 years ago today and were honored to have Don and Yogi Berra in Studio 42 to remember his perfect game. pic.twitter.com/UUDFO5WbHV

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 2, 2020

Here are some other tweets about Larsen.

RIP my friend. #DonLarsen pic.twitter.com/s5nqRnbdQ5

— David Cone (@dcone36) January 2, 2020

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Don Larsen, who remained a welcome & familiar face at our annual Old-Timers’ Day celebrations. The Yankees organization extends its deepest condolences to Don’s family and friends during this difficult time. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/OgOdofzSTS

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 2, 2020

Don Larsen spoke for about 5 minutes at David Cone’s 20th anniversary celebration of Cone’s perfect game last year and he stole the show. His stories, his delivery and his cooler-than-you demeanor stood out. He’ll be missed. RIP to the pitcher who was perfect for one magical day

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 2, 2020

We are devastated to hear of the loss of Don Larsen. Don was an incredible teammate, friend, and man. In our eyes, he was perfect. pic.twitter.com/HDhFr08CsG

— Yogi Berra Museum (@Yogi_Museum) January 2, 2020

A good night to post this, if you haven’t seen. The only known color images from Don Larsen’s perfect game, which I published in @SInow in 2016 #RIPDonLarsen https://t.co/ymQo827Rj8

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) January 2, 2020

Here is Vin Scully’s call of the final out from Larsen’s perfect game in the World Series: