In the wake of LA Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s dominant World Series pitching performance in Game 2 vs The Toronto Blue Jays, one can question where that ranks amongst all-time greatest performances in World Series history.
The World Series is where legacies are forged and pressure is magnified. A single dominant pitching performance can change the course of history, often under circumstances that allow zero margin for error. From perfection to record-breaking strikeout totals and clutch relief outings, these five performances represent the peak of mound mastery when the entire baseball world was watching. They stand as monuments to focus, endurance, and sheer, overwhelming dominance. Our list of the top 5 World Series pitching performances is based on:
- The situation in the series
- How many games were impacted
- Dominance
- Opponents’ star power/hitting prowess
- Stat lines
While Yamamoto doesn’t make the list yet, that could easily change if he pitches again.
The top World Series Pitching Performances
1. Don Larsen – New York Yankees (1956, Game 5)
Don Larsen’s performance remains, inarguably, the single greatest pitching feat in postseason history: the only perfect game ever thrown in the World Series. Facing the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 series, Larsen, a journeyman who had pitched poorly just days earlier, retired all 27 batters in order. His fastball-slider combination baffled the Dodgers’ lineup, which included future Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider. The weight of the moment grew with every out, culminating in the iconic image of catcher Yogi Berra leaping into his arms after Dale Mitchell struck out to end the game. The perfect game not only gave the Yankees a crucial series lead but delivered a level of excellence that has never been matched on baseball’s biggest stage.
