Larsen uniform sells for $756,000

Posted Dec 6, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Mar 27, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Don Larsen threw his World Series perfect game 56 years ago, on Oct 8, 1956. The auction conducted by Steiner Sports (www.steinersports.com) was scheduled to run for 56 days. The opening bid was set at $56,000. So it’s only fitting that Wednesday night’s winning bid, once the 20 percent buyer’s premium was factored into the amount, had 56 in the final figure.

After 22 bids, the New York Yankees uniform worn by Larsen when he pitched his 2-0 gem in Game 5 of the ’56 Series sold for $756,000. The winning bid was actually $630,000, but the buyer’s premium added $126,000 to the item.

The auction closed at 10:06 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

Larsen, 83, said in May that he was selling his No. 18 jersey and pants to raise enough money for his two grandsons’ college expenses. It looks like they’ll be able to afford it now.
In 2002, Larsen auctioned the cap, glove, shoes and the baseball used for the final out of the game. The New York Times reported he sold them for $120,750 and did not get more because the items were bronzed.

According to the Times, the uniform of Yogi Berra, who caught Larsen that day and leaped into the pitcher’s arms after pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell was called out on strikes to end the game, sold for $565,000 in an auction.

There’s that number 56 again.  Go figure.