This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 4/15/2010.
In the history of Major League Baseball, there have been just 17 perfect games. With the most memorable performance in Yankee Stadium history, Don Larsen and his battery mate Yogi Berra combined for the only one ever in a World Series. The setting was Game 5 of the 1956 Fall Classic, a rematch of the ’55 Series between the New York Yankees and the hated Brooklyn Dodgers. With the series knotted at two games apiece and the Yanks hungry to reclaim the title they had lost to the Dodgers the year before, Yogi called the best game of Larsen’s life. Though the game did include defensive heroics—like Mantle’s fifth inning snare in Yankee Stadium’s “Death Valley” left-centerfield gap—Larsen’s sometimes shaky control would not desert him on this day. It took him just 97 pitches to attain perfection, reaching a three ball count just once in the first inning. After the 27th consecutive out, an exuberant Berra charged the mound and lept into Larsen’s arms, creating the “everlasting image” that has been permanently etched in the minds of every Yankee fan since that day. This home pinstripe flannel was worn by Yogi during that game, and the jersey has been photo matched with that iconic image. Inside the back collar is the size “44” flag tag. On the front left tail is the “Spalding” manufacturers tag. Below is “Berra 8 56” in blue chain stitch directly on the jersey. Inside the left front tail is a wash instructions tag with a “Set 1 1956” flag tag. On the left breast is the “NY” interlocking logo in navy blue felt. On back is the player number “8” in the same felt. Inside the back waistband is the “Spalding” manufacturers tag. Attached is a “Set 1 1956” flag tag. To the left is a wash instructions tag. Written in the front waistband is the player number “8” in black marker. Since Berra wore them, the pants have been taken in by our consignor’s mother. The jersey is 100% original and shows game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. It comes with a letter from the consignor recalling how the Yankees gave him this jersey in 1959.