Don Liddle facts for kids

Donald "Don" Liddle (born May 25, 1925 – died June 5, 2000) was an American baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues. Don played for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals. His career in the big leagues lasted four seasons, from 1953 to 1956.

Don Liddle's Baseball Career

Don Liddle was born in Mount Carmel, Illinois. He was a left-handed pitcher, meaning he threw the ball with his left arm. He also batted left-handed. Don was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds.

The Famous "Catch" in the World Series

Don Liddle is best known for a moment in the 1954 World Series. In Game 1, he threw a pitch to a batter named Vic Wertz. This pitch led to one of the most famous plays in baseball history, known as "The Catch".

The Catch was made by Willie Mays, the Giants' amazing center fielder. Wertz hit the ball very far and high into the deepest part of the outfield. Mays ran with his back to home plate and caught the ball over his shoulder. This incredible play saved the game for the Giants.

If the ball had landed, the other team, the Cleveland Indians, would have taken the lead. But Mays' catch kept the score tied. The Giants then won that game in extra innings. They went on to win the entire World Series in four straight games!

Don Liddle's Reaction and Big Win

After "The Catch," Don Liddle reportedly joked, "Well, I got my man." He was talking about how lucky he was that Mays made such an amazing play. Later in that same World Series, Don Liddle started and won Game 4. He pitched for 6 and 2/3 innings and only allowed one run. This win helped the Giants secure their championship.

Joining the New York Giants

Earlier in 1954, Don Liddle was part of a big trade. He moved to the New York Giants from the Milwaukee Braves. Another left-handed pitcher, Johnny Antonelli, also joined the Giants in this trade. In return, the Braves received Bobby Thomson.

Johnny Antonelli had a fantastic year in 1954. He won 21 games for the Giants. He also had the best earned run average in the National League. His great pitching helped the Giants win the league championship.

Don Liddle's Career Numbers

During his time in the Major Leagues, Don Liddle played in 117 games played. He started as a pitcher in 54 of those games. He pitched a total of 427 and 2/3 innings. In his career, he gave up 397 hits and walked 203 batters. He also managed to strike out 198 batters.

After the 1957 season, which he spent playing in minor league baseball, Don Liddle retired from baseball. He passed away at the age of 75 in his hometown of Mount Carmel, Illinois.