Helmar “This Great Game” Card #77 – Don Larsen (New York Yankees)

This finely detailed Helmar art card shows Don Larsen of the New York Yankees in a classic mid-delivery pose, his body angled forward as he prepares to release the pitch. The clean blocks of blue and red behind him form a sharp, modern backdrop that highlights the crisp Yankee pinstripes. The painterly shading on his glove, uniform, and facial features gives the portrait a warm, hand-crafted depth that recalls the look of midcentury baseball art.

Don Larsen (1929–2020) carved out a long major league career, but he is remembered above all for one extraordinary feat: the only perfect game in World Series history, achieved in Game 5 of the 1956 Fall Classic. A right-hander known for his poise and deceptive delivery, Larsen pitched for several teams during the 1950s and 1960s, providing steady innings and flashes of brilliance on baseball’s biggest stage.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series pays tribute to the golden era of baseball through richly painted illustrations printed on heavy stock with lightly aged borders. Each card captures both the artistry and nostalgia of classic gum issues, reflecting Helmar’s dedication to celebrating the players and visual traditions that shaped the history of the sport.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.