Apr. 14, 1963 - The New York Yankees took sole possession of the American League lead today. Determined to make that winter trade of Moose Skowron for Stan Williams (far right with Whitey Ford, Jim Bouton, Al Downing, and Ralph Terry) stand up, the Bombers made the former Dodger right-hander’s American League debut an unqualified success. Solid hitting in the right places and some equally fine defensive play sufficed to beat the Baltimore Orioles, 5-1. All this was achieved with both Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle on the sidelines. Mantle aggravated a pulled muscle in his left side Saturday, and Maris is still shackled by a pulled left hamstring. Williams, going all the way, allowed only five hits, struck out eight, and walked only three. His rival, Chuck Estrada, failed to survive three innings. Mantle’s return to the Yankee lineup becomes another one of those day-to-day propositions of which manager Ralph Houk already has had more than his share. “All I know,” said the skipper, “is that he hurt so much when he came to the park he didn’t even take batting practice.” Maris worked out both in the batting cage and on the field. He could be ready by the end of the week.
Comments