Thursday, May 23, 2013

TTM Success - Don Larsen

I received my 73rd TTM success this evening when I got home from work and saw a box in my mailbox.  I had sent a check to former pitcher, Don Larsen, on Saturday, May 18.  The check was for $50 which covered Larsen's fee to provide his own OMLB ball, a signature, inscription and shipping.  I didn't even have to prepare a return mailer (for once).

Larsen (b. 1929) played in the majors from 1953 to 1965 and 1967 for the Browns/Orioles, Yankees, A's (Kansas City), White Sox, Giants, Colt .45s, Astros and Cubs.  He had a career record of 81-91, 849 strikeouts and a 3.78 ERA.

Larsen was traded by the Orioles to the Yankees along with Bob Turley, Billy Hunter, Mike Blyzka, Darrell Johnson, Jim Fridley and Dick Kryhoski for Harry Byrd, Willy Miranda, Jim McDonald, Hal Smith, Gus Triandos and Gene Woodling in 1954. 

He had his crowning achievement as a Yankee in the 1956 World Series when he threw a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5.  The Yankees would go on to win the Series 4 games to 3 and Larsen would win the World Series MVP award.

Larsen's contributions to Yankee history don't end there.  A few years later, in 1959, Larsen would be traded with Norm Siebern, Hank Bauer and Marv Throneberry to the Kansas City A's for Joe DeMaestri, Kent Hadley and a young fellow by the name of Roger Maris.

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