Fifty-six years removed from arguably the single greatest achievement in baseball history, the uniform worn by Don Larsen when he pitched the only perfect game in World Series history will be put up for auction.
The money earned will be used to pay for the college education of Larsen’s two grandsons, Justin and Cody. Larsen, 82, said he hopes to raise as much as $1 million.
At a press conference at Gallagher’s Steak House yesterday, the former Yankees hurler and legendary broadcaster Bob Wolff, who called the perfect game on Oct. 8, 1956, spent time reminiscing about that day.
“I remember I was pleased when [home-plate umpire] Babe Pinelli called strike three on Dale Mitchell because it felt like the world left my shoulders then,” Larsen said.
Larsen said he knew by the seventh inning he was working on a no-hitter but he was unaware he had thrown a perfect game until he was told after the game in the clubhouse.
Wolff, on the other hand, said he was simply excited to be a part of such an exciting atmosphere and added it’s a game he expects to live forever.
“I’ve broadcasted thousands of games, but as you go through life you’re really only known for one or two,” Wolff said. “The rest are on the résumé but they don’t count.”
Larsen and Wolff were joined by Andrew Levy, Larsen’s agent, and Steiner Sports founder/CEO Brandon Steiner.
Steiner, who referred to the uniform as a gem, said the interest the uniform has already generated is unlike any his company has experienced.
Steiner said he plans on building off the uniform’s interest with multiple announcements over the next couple of months promoting what he called little “surprises” that includes other signed memorabilia from Larsen as well as signed memorabilia from other former Yankees.
Proceeds from that other memorabilia will be donated to those players’ respective favorite charities.
The auction, which will be held online at steinersports.com, is set to begin on Oct. 8, the 56th anniversary of Larsen’s historic Game 5 performance.
Levy said he expects competitive bidding for the uniform throughout the auction and said he wouldn’t be surprised if bidding got very intense in the final days.
“This uniform is from arguably the greatest moment in sports history, so it’s really going to be unique in that regard,” Levy said.