1960s Timeline

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Dec 18, 2021

Ping Bodie is Dead

Dec. 18, 1961 - Ping Bodie (pictured left in 1920), the slugging outfielder who was a former roommate of Babe Ruth (right), died of...

Dec 15, 2021

A.P. Names Maris Male Athlete of the Year

Dec. 15, 1961 - Roger Maris, baseball’s home run king, normally quiet and unemotional, appeared deeply moved today when told he had been...

Dec 15, 2021

William "Dummy" Hoy, Oldest Former Major League Ballplayer, Dead at 99

Dec. 15, 1961 - William “Dummy” Hoy (pictured throwing out the first pitch at Game 3 of this year’s World Series), the oldest former...

Dec 8, 2021

MLB: Mets Acquire Former Batting Champ Richie Ashburn

Dec. 8, 1961 - The New York Mets today acquired another slightly aged though still highly capable player they expect to give their club...

Nov 30, 2021

WOR-TV Likely Network for New York Mets Games in '62

Nov. 30, 1961 - New York stations WOR-TV and WOR radio said today they had reached “major portions of agreement” in negotiations to...

Nov 27, 2021

MLB: White Sox Trade Minnie Minoso to St. Louis

Nov. 27, 1961 - The Chicago White Sox traded Orestes (Minnie) Minoso, their Cuban outfield star, to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe...

Nov 23, 2021

Casey Stengel Expounds on the Spitball

Nov. 23, 1961 - New York Mets manager Casey Stengel said today he couldn’t see what all the fuss was about the spitball. “If the pitchers...

Nov 22, 2021

Reds' Frank Robinson Wins NL MVP Award

Nov. 22, 1961 - Frank Robinson (pictured at his wedding last month), crack outfielder of the Cincinnati Reds, today was named the winner...

Nov 16, 2021

The New York Mets Have a Logo

Nov. 16, 1961 - The New York Mets gave a $1,000 check to Ray Gotto, a cartoonist, for submitting the prize-winning emblem for the new...

Nov 8, 2021

Former Baseball Great Jimmy Foxx Bankrupt

Nov. 8, 1961 - Jimmy Foxx (pictured with Connie Mack in 1931), who now lives in Lakewood, Ohio, filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy...

Oct 26, 2021

William A. Shea Honored by Mayor for Bringing National League back to New York

Oct. 26, 1961 - The New York City Mayor’s Committee on Baseball was honored today for “outstanding accomplishments in preserving the...

Oct 25, 2021

MLB: Reds’ Joey Jay Named National League Pitcher of the Year

Oct. 25, 1961 - Joey Jay was named the National League pitcher of the year today by UPI’s board of baseball experts. The 26-year-old...

Oct 19, 2021

MLB: Al Kaline Named Comeback Player of 1961

Oct. 19, 1961 - Al Kaline (pictured right with Mickey Mantle and Norm Cash) of the Detroit Tigers, who increased his batting average 46...

Oct 11, 2021

MLB: Dodgers Manager Walt Alston Gets New Contract

Oct. 11, 1961 - Walt Alston (pictured with Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley) was signed today to a new one-year contract to manage the...

Oct 10, 2021

Baseball’s New Clubs Pick First Players

Oct. 10, 1961 - At a combined cost of $3,650,000, the New York Mets and the Houston Colts today fished 45 players out of the 136-player...

Oct 6, 2021

Casey Stengel Holds Court

Oct. 6, 1961 - Casey Stengel, who will manage the New York Mets next season, expounded today on matters ranging from the 1964 World's...

Oct 6, 2021

Mets Sign Lease for New Stadium

Oct. 6, 1961 - The New York Mets, who will play their first National League season in the Polo Grounds next year, signed a 30-year lease...

Oct 5, 2021

Reds Knot Series with Yankees at 1-1

Oct. 5, 1961 - The Cincinnati Reds turned on the high and mighty Yankees at the Stadium today and thrashed the American League champions...

Oct 5, 2021

MLB: Jimmy Piersall Traded to Senators

Oct. 5, 1961 - Jimmy Piersall (pictured left) was traded to the Washington Senators today. In return for the centerfielder, the Cleveland...