Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-24
WIN, LOSE OR
1NAV By FRANCIS sTANN
The Perfect Pitcher
DON LARSEN, THE ONLY

DON LARSEN, THE ONLY MAN to pitch perfect game
in World Series history has handed the Yankee
headache with his demand for SGT 500 contract figure
about double his 1856 pay
Since perfection is fleeing thing it is difficult for the
Yankees to evauate the value of the big ghhande who
already has caShed in magnceny his heroic job against
the Dodgers Off his record-and remembering that
three years ago he suffered through 32l with the
Orioehe Yankees do not appear very sngy in offering
him raise to only 1000
Until Don pitched his big the series he best
known perhaps, for having his automobile into ST.
Petersburg Fa lamp post at o'clock in the morning last
March, During the regular he only II
record matched beered by 10 other American League
pitchers.
He was not what you might have called the bellwether
of the Yankee staff Don completed only six games Whitley
Ford Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdyant ouranked him
Casey stenges opinion. In tight relief situation sengel
often preferred the veteran Tommy Byrne. too
YET. THERE Is NO DENYING that Larsen is
drawing card At least he will be during the exhibition
season and the first time around in the pennant race.
People will expect to the marvel of the not guy
who wins II games.
People, too will associate with the revival of the
nowndup technique. Contrary to what may think
Don did not invent the delivery He shooting marbles
lot when big league pitchers throwing without
windups But in the fifth game of the World Series last
October with millions watching televson Larsen made
history with his no-windup style.
Others Of the Yankee staff, notably Bob Turley and
Maury McDermott, throwing the way Larsen
got there fusteSt with the mostest.
There can be denying that Larsen will feel certain
pressure IN ST. Not only had there been perfect
game27 batters up q down-n World Series but it had
been than "a since Charley Robertson of the
White Sox pitched the last perfect major league game
20 win the Tigers April 80, 1922
IN LARSENS FAVOR perhaps, is phlegmatc attitude
Don is not easily disturbed by events of the field
This has not made him easier for Senge to handle
but Casey is well paid to with problems in human
relations Once it may be recalled shipped Larsen
Denver to do penance Presumably Stenge think of
some other penance although Larsen did not
markedly affected way the other after his original
Punishment
Robertson after his perfect game in o. never had
winning year. Six years later he of the majors
for keeps
The season of Roberson perfect game against Detroit
he was 14-l5 pitcher for the White Sox who we're in
the of being rebuilt after the 1919 World Series
scandal. In 20 he a 1913 pitcher.
The hex not only held in "a but became downright
lost TO-
BY 1925 ROBERTSON was no attraction at ALL simply
fading pitcher who had it big He was mere Journey
man. an 812 pitcher and in 26 the Sox shipped him the
old St. Louis Browns
Now he had bad arm He won a single game and lost
two He was of no value The Browns palmed him of to
the Red Sox for whom he But he also lost II
that year-1927
The Red Sox gave him another look in % but after
winning only two and losing five was the pink slip
Tor Robertson Not that his perfect game in any way
responsible but Charley something less than e perfect
pitcher" after 1t.
Old timers insist that Larsen has more physical equip
ment than Robertson that he bigger and stronger and
that his no-wndup technique is ideally suited him. They
also hint that such epic performance the only World
Series perfect game won't weigh upon him too heavily
psychologically speaking.
They could be right For all anybody knows Larsen
may win IL, perhaps is games, this coming season.