NewsRelive Yanks' great pitching performances
New 6-DVD set chronicles historic perfect games, no-hitters
By Bernadette Pasley / Special to MLB.com
06/15/09 10:57 PM ET
As balls continue to fly out of the new Yankee Stadium at a record-setting pace, the old Stadium, the House That Ruth Built, sits across the street in scaffolding while workers take it apart, brick by brick, beam by beam. Fans, players and media alike wonder if the aura and mystique of the old building will eventually arrive at the new one.Included in that aura and mystique are six of the best pitching performances in MLB history. A new 6-DVD set by Major League Baseball Productions chronicles them: New York Yankees Perfect Games and No-Hitters, which brings you the actual broadcasts of the perfect games of Don Larsen, David Wells and David Cone, and the no-hitters of Dave Righetti, Jim Abbott and Dwight Gooden.
The set is available for $49.99 now at the Yankees.com Shop. Here are the games you will experience, either all over again or for the first time:
Don Larsen's Perfect Game, 1956 World Series vs. Brooklyn
Pitched at the original Yankee Stadium in front of over 60,000 fans, it remains the only perfect game in World Series history. The game is called by iconic announcers Mel Allen, Vin Scully and Bob Wolff.
Dave Righetti's No-Hitter, July 4, 1983 vs. Boston
A young left-hander pitches the biggest game of his career, a Yankee Doodle Dandy, on Independence Day at the most famous stadium in America. Among the announcers is Mel Allen, who called Don Larsen's perfect game 27 years earlier.
Jim Abbott's No-Hitter, Sept. 4, 1993 vs. Cleveland
Born without a right hand, Abbott went from college straight to the Majors and never looked back. In this game he handles a tough Indians lineup that includes Manny Ramirez, one day removed from hitting his first two Major League home runs.
Dwight Gooden's No-Hitter, May 14, 1996 vs. Seattle
"Doc" Gooden was on the comeback trail from substance abuse when he took the mound that night against the Mariners. A 20-year-old Alex Rodriguez faces Doc and a gut-wrenching ninth inning unfolds, during which, not only the no-hitter, but the game itself is in jeopardy before the final out is made and the celebrations begin.
David Wells' Perfect Game, May 17, 1998 vs. Minnesota
A few weeks before Wells made this start, his work ethic was questioned by manager Joe Torre. Wells puts any doubts about his work ethic to rest during this game, as he and that historic 1998 team make quick work of the Minnesota Twins on a cloudy, Sunday afternoon.
David Cone's Perfect Game, July 18, 1999 vs. Montreal
Yogi Berra Day begins with Don Larsen throwing the ceremonial first pitch to Berra and ends with Cone becoming the oldest pitcher (at age 37) to toss a perfect game. Larsen is there for the entire game and the cameras are pointed to him as he watches the final three outs, completing this six-game cycle of outstanding pitching.
If you've already seen these games, you will experience the excitement you felt back then all over again. If you haven't, get ready for a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will make you feel as if you are watching each game live.
Bernadette Pasley is author of the Yankee MLBlog This Fan's Life. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
