The 1956 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers was one of the most memorable Fall Classics in Major League Baseball history. A rematch of the 1955 World Series where the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in seven games, the 1956 series was notable for being the last all-New York World Series for 44 years. Brooklyn took the first two games from the Yankees but couldn’t decipher a Yankee pitching staff that pitched five consecutive complete games, the most notable of those in Game 5 where Yankee pitcher Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. Larsen could not accomplish the feat alone and relied on a Yankees defense that made a series of tremendous saves on lineouts that helped ensure Larsen’s place in the MLB history books. Hall of Fame centerfielder Mickey Mantle saved the perfect game on a breathtaking catch in the fifth inning off of a line drive by Gil Hodges in the fifth inning. After striking out Dal Mitchell during the top of the ninth, Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra leapt into the arms of Don Larsen, the photo of the event becoming one of the most iconic in sports history. Larsen is the only pitcher to pitch a perfect game in the World Series and earned Series MVP honors for his historic feat. The Yankees went on to win in seven games to earn the team their 17th championship in franchise history.

Presented here is a 19 ½ x 16-inch color photograph of the Yankees defense that helped pitcher Don Larsen make history. The color photo features the Yankees defense arrayed on the field at Yankee Stadium. Larsen labeled the photograph with the name of each player at their position, including first baseman Joe Collins, second baseman Billy Martin, Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, shortstop Gil McDougald, third baseman Andy Carey, left fielder and Hall of Famer Enos Slaughter, centerfielder and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, and right fielder Hank Bauer with a black marker. Larsen signed and inscribed “Don Larsen Defense of the New York Yankees-1956 World Series Game 5- Yankee Stadium Monday October 8, 1956 1:05 PM I threw the only Perfect Game in World Series History” with a black marker on the bottom of the photograph. The signature and inscriptions are bold and feature no bleeding. There is edging and corner wear the photo has been rolled up. The signed and inscribed New York Yankees defense photograph from Game 5 of the World Series that was signed by Larsen comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication (AA06976) for the signature.

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