LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (AP) — Fifty-six years to the day Monday, Don Larsen walked into Yankee Stadium for Game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, having no idea he was about to create one of the most memorable moments in baseball history.
On a brisk, fall afternoon in 2012, in the heart of the Garden State, he reminisced about the effort.
“It was a beautiful day and I felt great,” Larsen said. “I didn’t know whether or not I was going to pitch. I came to the stadium early and as usual, Moose Skowron and Hank Bauer were there early ahead of me. I got to my locker and saw a ball in my shoe. I guess (third base coach) Frankie Crosetti was told to put it there.”
At that point, Larsen knew he was tabbed by manager Casey Stengel to start Game 5 with the series tied.