1960s Timeline

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

Dec. 16, 1961 - The return of National League baseball to New York moved a little closer today when the Mets announced their 1961 home...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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