Astros: Don Larsen Yankees legend and former pitcher for the Colt .45s dies

Legendary pitcher Don Larsen has passed away at the age of 90. Larsen was a member of the 1964 Colt .45s, the year before they became the Astros.

Don Larsen‘s representative Andrew Levy announced Wednesday that Don Larsen has died after suffering from esophageal cancer at the age of 90 years old in Hayden, Idaho. Larsen had a storied career that spanned over 14 seasons in the Major Leagues.

"“The world is less ‘perfect’ today. Don Larsen, the only man to pitch a perfect game in World Series history, is gone. Goodbye, my friend. We will miss you!” Levy told the Associated Press"

Along with the Yankees and Colt .45s, Larsen played for seven different teams in his career including the St. Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics, both Chicago teams, and the San Francisco Giants.

The Colt .45s purchased Larsen from the Giants at the beginning of the 1964 season. He appeared in 30 games that year, starting 10 after Houston essentially turned him back into a starter later in the season, after pitching in relief the three years prior. He had a record of 4-8 for them that year, even though he had a 2.26 ERA for the Colt .45s.

Early the next season, the first year the team became the Astros, he was traded to the Orioles for Bob Saverine and cash. That was Larsen’s last full season, as the Orioles released him at the end of the year. He played just a few games for the Cubs in 1967 before hanging up the cleats.

Over his career he went 81-91 with an ERA of 3.78. Larsen had 44 complete games and 11 shutouts and amassed 849 strikeouts. Of course, his most memorable game was in 1956 when he pitched the only perfect game in a World Series in the history of baseball.

“When Yogi Berra jumped on me and grabbed with the bear hug, my mind went completely blank,” Larsen wrote in his autobiography. “I was under friendly attack … I was swept into the dugout.” via Samuel Chamberlain of Fox News

The baseball world has lost a legend that will never be forgotten on this first day of the decade. Condolences to Larsen’s friends and family in this difficult time.