Career
Born in Mount Carmel, Illinois, he batted left-handed, stood 5 feet 10 inches (178 m) tall and weighed 165 pounds (75 kg). Liddle is most remembered as the man who, in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, threw the pitch to Vic Wertz that resulted in The Catch — Giant center fielder Willie Mays" historic back-to-home-plate, over-the-shoulder grab of Wertz" long drive with two men on base in the deepest part of center field at the Giants" home field, the Polo Grounds. Had the ball fallen safely, the opposition Cleveland Indians would have taken the lead 4–2 late in the game.
Wertz was the only batter Liddle faced that day.
Reportedly, he commented after the game was over in the locker room, "Well, I got my man", joking about his good fortune and Mays" athletic performance. Earlier in 1954, Liddle was part of a pivotal, five-player trade, coming to the Giants with fellow left-handed pitcher Johnny Antonelli from the Braves in exchange for 1951 playoff hero Bobby Thomson.
Don Liddle appeared in 117 Major League games played, 54 as a starting pitcher. In 427⅔ innings, he gave up 397 hits and 203 bases on balls, striking out 198.
He retired from baseball after the 1957 season, which he spent in minor league baseball.
He died, aged 75, in his hometown of Mount Carmel, Illinois.
