Former Yankees Pitcher Parting With Several Pieces of Historical Game
Aired July 25, 2002 - 09:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Forty-six years ago, on October 8th, 1956, Don Larsen was the picture and the pitcher of perfection. That day, Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history. The feat remains one of baseball's most memorable moments. Now, the former Yankee's parting with several pieces of that historical game, selling some of his memorabilia to set up a college trust for his grandsons.
Don Larsen is live this morning in Spokane, Washington.
Sir, good morning to you. It's an absolute pleasure to have you with us at AMERICAN MORNING.
DON LARSEN, BASEBALL LEGEND: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: Listen, some are saying you are parting with history, and shouldn't be doing it, and this is all a big mistake, some would say. What to you say to them, Don?
LARSEN: I don't know about that. I talked it over with my wife, and I thought it would be an opportune time to put it up for sale, and to put the results in to my grandkid's education, and it's also a charitable fund trust that the San Diego champions could receive a little bit of extra also.
HEMMER: How do you grandsons feel about it. We're looking at some of the items, by the way, the baseball with the...
LARSEN: They don't know.
HEMMER: I'm sorry, they don't know.
LARSEN: No, they're just four and 10. They don't know much about it.
They don't know much about it. The oldest one finished little league, and they weren't doing very good, then they picked up doing well. I'm sure he will be back. He knows what happened. I don't think he even realizes the importance of this.
HEMMER: We were looking at silver-plated items from the game, a pair of cleats you wore, a glove and a cap, and of course the baseball that recorded the final out. Don, how do you feel about this?
LARSEN: Well, I miss it already. I just hope when it's final and done, someone will display it correctly. I was thinking about trying to get a couple miniature sets made of the original if possible, through some Danbury Mint or somebody might could be able to do that. But I definitely miss it, because we've had it for so many years at home.
HEMMER: I heard that...
LARSEN: I had it on display.
HEMMER: I'm sorry, there's a delay in satellite. I apologize for that, but understand the bidding will start about $100,000. How much would you like to raise? How much do you think you can raise?
LARSEN: Well, as much as possible, you know, because everybody will be rewarded in the outcome. Maestronet.com in charge of this in Chicago, and I trust them, and I'm not used to the auctions, but I'm sure they will do a good job.
HEMMER: Take us back to 1956. Is there one key thing that your mind keeps drifting back toward as the significant memory from that day?
LARSEN: There are a couple of great defensive plays. But Babe Panelli (ph) called strike three on Dale Mitchell (ph) in the ninth ending to end the game, it seemed like the world left my shoulders. I think that's probably the most vivid thing I remember, especially with Yogi jumping on me.
HEMMER: You made about $20,000 back in your day. Baseball players today, I think the average salary $2.5 million. Listen, there is a strong case that many say there was greed on both sides again today in the game. There's a possibility of work stoppage, maybe in mid-September. As you reflect back, your thoughts on the game that you left.
LARSEN: Well, I miss it a lot. I played quite a few years. I enjoyed it. We were family then. I played against and with some great players. I was fortunate to be five in World Series. A lot of players never got a chance to participate. As far as money goes, you can't blame the players for not taking it, because the owners offer it. We didn't have that opportunity when I played, and I'm sure if it was there, we would have accepted that.
HEMMER: Also, the Ted Williams family, that story has been so prominent in the news as of late. It is such a sad story, that feud between the family. I guess on a positive note, it's good to see that your family still is full of a whole lot of love as you go forward trying to forge a positive future for your grandsons. When are you going to tell them about this? Have you thought about that, Don?
LARSEN: They're coming up today. We have got to pick them up today. I might try to explain a little bit to them and see if they'll comprehend. They will understand, because their sharp. And as time goes on, I'm sure they will realize the importance of what I'm doing.
HEMMER: We appreciate your sharing the story with us.
Where did you get the idea, by the way, just curious?
LARSEN: Well, my wife worked in a jewelry store in San Diego years ago, and it was mention to the owner, and she said, why don't you do something with it? So we sent back to Columbus for their contact and had the three items silvered, and then I had the last pitch. Yogi held on to that, and he gave it to after the game was over. So it's a complete unit in a heavy plastic type of glass.
HEMMER: I hope you raise as much money as you can, and the best of luck to you and your wife and your grandsons, and hopefully those kids will get some good grades, right, Don?
LARSEN: You bet. Thank you very much.
HEMMER: You got it, pal. Best of luck. Spokane, Washington, Don Larsen, Mr. perfect.
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