"Pefect" 24"x36" oil painting by Steve Alpert
INDIAN RUG MASTERS purposely place an incorrect weave in their rugs because in their words, “Only God is perfect.” And, Don Larsen.
One my first loves was baseball, and the Yankees. I hear the clicking off as the Yankee haters leave this page. Hey, I can’t help it, somehow I was taken to Yankee Stadium as a tot and that was it for me, the pinstripes. So, a few years ago I decided I wanted to make a painting of the famous photograph known as, “The Hug.” Yogi Berra leaps into the arms of Don Larsen after throwing the final pitch in a perfect game in the World Series, October 8, 1956. Don Larsen was indeed perfect that day. But for that particular game, Larsen had a rather innocuous career. My dealer and I went to a “signing” in Huntington, Long Island on a frigid day in February where Yogi Berra and Don Larsen would be to sign baseballs, photos, jerseys — anything — and this original painting (above). The signatures were paid for, of course. Bitter cold laced with horizontal snow propelled by gusts of 25mph. Real nice. A long line of crazy fans of all ages hunkered in line outside, waiting their turn to get into the store. They lined up in that weather an hour before doors had been advertised to open. Unbelievable. Inundated with boxes of fresh baseballs, dozens of Sharpie pens strewn around, Berra and Larsen were seated at a table surrounded by handlers. Quite a scene as the handlers handed boxes and boxes of fresh baseballs for them to sign. We were allowed to remain inside, I guess because we were paying a little more for signatures on an original painting. In the photo below Yogi asks Don, “Where should I sign?” Larsen indicates. “Right here.” Under Don Larsen’s signature he also put the letters, “P G” as in, Perfect Game.
Artist Steve Alpery with Yogi Berra and Don Larsen
It was exciting enough being around these two, especially Yogi Berra, who had an amazing career. Berra was a great catcher, and one of the best hitting catchers to ever play the game. A consummate ballplayer. And a famously funny guy, too. We made giclee prints that we would later sell, (still a few available in case you want to purchase) but they had to be signed by both men. I took a drive out to Yogi Berra’s museum in Upper Montclair, NJ for his signature on the initial batch. After greetings and introductions, Yogi looked at a print and then looked up at me and said, “You painted this picture?”
“Yes”
“Pretty good.”
“Thanks, Yogi.”
“I could use it at my golf tournament.”
“Wow, that would be great.”
“It was yesterday.” I had been Yogi’d. Yogi’s golf tournament had been the day before!!!
So now, enjoy the moment on October 8, 1956… www.metacafe.com/watch/923727/1956_perfect_game_of_the_world_series/
And, Don Larsen\’s perfect game
Oh, and uh, the original painting is still for sale…
