A Perfect Day in Baseball History
On October 8, 1956, one of the most unforgettable moments in Major League Baseball occurred at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0 in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, but the score alone doesn’t reflect the magnitude of what happened. On that day, pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history—a feat unmatched to this day.
This wasn’t just a win. It was baseball perfection.
Yankees vs Dodgers: A Classic Rivalry
The Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees had one of the fiercest rivalries in baseball during the 1940s and 1950s. Between 1941 and 1956, they faced off in the World Series seven times. While the Yankees had multiple championships under their belt, the Dodgers were hungry to shake their “always the bridesmaid” reputation.
In 1955, Brooklyn finally captured its first and only World Series title before relocating to Los Angeles. The 1956 rematch was more than a battle for a championship—it was a battle for legacy.
Game 5 of the 1956 World Series: The Setup
The 1956 World Series was tied 2-2 as both teams entered Game 5. The Yankees had dropped two games to the Dodgers, and tensions were high. The Dodgers’ lineup was stacked: Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, and Roy Campanella—all legends of the game.
The Yankees countered with a young right-hander named Don Larsen, who had just been knocked out early in Game 2. Expectations were modest. What unfolded would become the most iconic pitching performance in World Series history.
Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: 27 Up, 27 Down
A perfect game in baseball means no opposing batter reaches base—no hits, no walks, no errors. It’s the rarest of pitching achievements, even during the regular season. To do it during the World Series? Nearly impossible.
Yet on October 8, 1956, Don Larsen delivered a flawless performance:
- 9 innings
- 27 batters faced
- 27 outs
- 0 hits
- 0 walks
- 7 strikeouts
Larsen worked quickly and efficiently. His catcher, Yogi Berra, called an impeccable game behind the plate, and the Yankee defense stepped up when it counted. Key plays by third baseman Andy Carey and outfielder Mickey Mantle preserved the bid for perfection.
In the ninth inning, Larsen struck out Dale Mitchell looking. As umpire Babe Pinelli rang him up, Yankee Stadium erupted. Berra famously sprinted toward the mound and leapt into Larsen’s arms—an image now cemented as one of baseball’s most iconic moments.
Yankees vs Dodgers Game 5 Box Score – October 8, 1956
| Team | Runs | Hits | Errors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Dodgers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Key Highlights:
- Winning Pitcher: Don Larsen
- Home Run: Mickey Mantle (Yankees, solo HR)
- Perfect Game: 27 consecutive outs
The Only Perfect Game in World Series History
As of 2025, Don Larsen’s perfect game remains the only one in World Series history, and the only no-hitter ever thrown in a postseason game until Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in the 2010 NLDS. Even today, Larsen’s Game 5 performance is considered one of the greatest individual achievements in all of professional sports.
It wasn’t just a dominant game—it was a perfect moment on the sport’s grandest stage.
The Legacy of October 8, 1956
Don Larsen’s perfect game did more than win a World Series game. It created a memory that baseball fans, historians, and players continue to reference nearly 70 years later.
- The Yankees would go on to win the 1956 World Series in 7 games.
- The Dodgers would never win another title in Brooklyn—they moved to Los Angeles in 1958.
- Larsen’s performance became a symbol of redemption, after being pulled in Game 2 just days earlier.
Each year, when October baseball rolls around, Don Larsen’s perfect game is remembered as the gold standard of pitching excellence.
Why Larsen’s Perfect Game Still Matters
In an age of advanced metrics, pitch tracking, and digital analytics, Larsen’s perfect game reminds us of the sport’s beautiful simplicity: one pitcher, one glove, one unforgettable game.
It was:
- Historic
- Unprecedented
- Unrepeatable (so far)
For every young baseball player dreaming on the mound, for every fan clutching their scorecard, October 8, 1956, is the dream made real.
The story of Don Larsen’s perfect game on October 8, 1956, is more than a chapter in baseball history—it’s a testament to what can happen when preparation, perseverance, and destiny collide.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the sport, revisiting this masterpiece of baseball is a reminder of why we love the game—and why legends are made in October.
Leave a Reply