By 1956, the city of New York knew they were being spoiled with baseball. By the start of the season, they were touting 7 strait titles as a city, with all three of their teams contributing at least once, and many of those World Series titles were only played by NY teams in the Subway Series. But in just a few short seasons that would all end, with two of those teams moving out west, and with no immediate team set to replace them in the five boroughs, that mean there wouldn't be any more Subway Series matchups. But if 1956 would mark the final Subway Series, then the baseball gods picked a heck of a way to end it.
The Yankees had been reeling in the offseason after finally being bested by the Brooklyn Dodgers a year ago, but by opening day they were back to business as they rattled off a 97-57 record to run away with the American League pennant by 9 games over the Cleveland Indians. By now though the directive for every Bronx Bombers team was clear: the pennant isn't enough. the real work begins in October.
As it so happens, the Yankees would have a chance right away to avenge their 1955 defeat as the defending champion Dodgers had also made it back to the World Series that year. Just like last year, the home team won both opening games, unfortunately the series this time began in Brooklyn, and the Yankees found themselves in a quick 0-2 hole. Now at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees were able to quickly tie the series up.
Don Larsen had started Game 2 and was shelled, unable to escape the 2nd inning. Despite that performance, Casey Stengel still gave him the nod for Game 5, and he would go on to pitch the only Perfect Game in World Series history. Game 6 was a scoreless battle that went to extra innings, but the Dodgers prevailed to force Game 7. Because of course the final Subway Series finale needed not just a Perfect Game but a do-or-die Game 7. If the build up was intense, the actual game wasn't, as the Yankees beat up the Dodgers 9-0 to reclaim the title.
With just 81 career Wins, 11 of them in 1956, it just goes to show you that in baseball anyone can be perfect on a given day...and the fact that Larsen spun his masterpiece in the World Series against the defending champions just makes it all the more special. Out of all the aces in the long history of the game, it's Don Larsen who gets credit for pitching arguably the greatest game any man has ever thrown. The World Series MVP was just a formality at that point.
Ford led Yankee pitching with 19 Wins and 141 Strikeouts in 225.2 Innings. His 2.47 ERA led all of baseball as he made the all star team and finished 3rd for the Cy Young award. With the Yankees down 0-2 in the World Series, his Complete Game Win in Game 3 turned the tide for the Bombers.
Other Starters. Sturdivant won Game 4 to tie the series at 2-2, as evident with everyone flashing two fingers in his picture. Kucks kept pace with Ford with 18 Wins and 224.1 Innings of his own as he too was named all star and was the man pitching for New York in Game 7 which he got the Win in.
The Yankees pitching as a whole was credited with 35 Saves in '56, but Stengel would throw whoever he felt like out there and let them finish no matter the score, so guys like Ford and Sturdivant were picking up Saves, but it was Tom Morgan who more often than not got the call when it mattered late, so he and his team high 11 Saves get the Closer distinction.
Remaining pitchers for New York. The Yankees actually traded to bring Tommy Lasorda to the organization, but they never called him up to pitch for them, so Dodger fans can relax. You'll never see "I bleed Dodger blue" Lasorda on a Yankees card here...
The man behind the plate for Larsen's perfecto was Yogi Berra, who had himself a pretty good World Series as well. His 3 Home Runs, including 2 in the pivotal Game 7 normally would have given him serious consideration for the MVP of the series, if not for Larsen's accomplishment. He was also the runner up for the regular season MVP, which also saw someone accomplish something momentous to run away with the award...
Another quietly fantastic year from the underrated McDougald as he ranked top 10 for the MVP.
Martin would make his only all star team in 1956, where he'd join Berra, McDougald and Mantle on offense.
Other regulars. Elston Howard was the backup Catcher, but instead of sitting the bench he'd usually play in the outfield until Berra needed a day off.
Bench guys. You can tell color photography is really starting to catch on more by now...
Everyone knew Mickey Mantle was pretty special before, but 1956 is when he truly emerged as not just the best player in baseball, but among the all time elites. Sure, he led the Yankees with 188 Hits and 10 Stolen Bases, but he also led all of baseball with 132 Runs, 52 Home Runs, 130 RBI and a .353 Average to take home the Triple Crown and be the obvious selection for MVP. He added 3 Home Runs in the World Series, including 1 during Don Larsen's Perfect Game to give him the only offense he'd need while making a clutch catch in the field to help out defensively as well.
