1961 New York Yankees season

Last updated

1961  New York Yankees
World Series champions
American League champions
League American League
Ballpark Yankee Stadium
CityNew York City
Record109–53–1 (.673)
League place1st
Owners Dan Topping and Del Webb
General managers Roy Hamey
Managers Ralph Houk
Television WPIX–TV 11
(Mel Allen, Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto)
Radio WCBS–AM 880
(Mel Allen, Red Barber, Phil Rizzuto)
←  1960
1962  →

The 1961 New York Yankees season was the 59th season for the team. The team finished with a record of 109–53, eight games ahead of the Detroit Tigers, and won their 26th American League pennant. New York was managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, they defeated the Cincinnati Reds in 5 games. This season was best known for the home run chase between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, with the former beating Babe Ruth's single season record by hitting 61.

Contents

Offseason

Regular season

The 1961 season was notable for the race between center fielder Mickey Mantle and right fielder Roger Maris to break Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a season (set in 1927). Maris eventually broke the record, hitting his 61st home run on October 1, the season's final day. During the season, Maris had seven multi-home run games; in a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, he hit four home runs.

1961 was an expansion year, with the American League increasing from eight to ten teams, the first expansion in the 61-year history of the league. The old schedule of 154 games (seven opponents multiplied by 22 games apiece) was replaced by 162 games (nine opponents multiplied by 18 games apiece) which led to some controversy due to the eight extra games that Maris had to try to hit 61.

Ultimately, when Maris broke Ruth's record in game 162, baseball commissioner Ford Frick instigated "The Asterisk", which designated that Maris had only accomplished the feat in a longer season, and disallowed any reference to him as the record-holder. When commissioner Fay Vincent removed "The Asterisk" in 1991, Maris was finally given credit as the single-season home run record-holder. However, Maris had died in 1985, never knowing that the record belonged to him.

In addition to the individual exploits of Maris and Mantle, the 1961 Yankees hit a major league record 240 home runs. The record stood until 1996 when the Baltimore Orioles, with the added benefit of the designated hitter, hit 257 home runs as a team.

Roger Maris

YankeesRetired9.svg

In 1961, the American League expanded from eight to ten teams, generally watering down the pitching, but leaving the Yankees pretty much intact. Yankee home runs began to come at a record pace. One famous photograph lined up six 1961 Yankee players, including Mantle, Maris, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Johnny Blanchard, and Bill Skowron, under the nickname "Murderers Row", because they hit a combined 207 home runs that year. The title "Murderers Row", coined in 1918,[ dubious – discuss ] had most famously been used to refer to the Yankees side of the late 1920s.

The "M&M Boys" together in 1961. M&M Boys 1961.png
The "M&M Boys" together in 1961.

As mid-season approached, it seemed quite possible that either Maris or Mantle, or perhaps both, would break Babe Ruth's 34-year-old home run record. Unlike the home run race of 1998, in which the competition between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa was given extensive positive media coverage, sportswriters in 1961 began to play the "M&M Boys" against each other, inventing a rivalry where none existed, according to Yogi Berra.[ citation needed ]

The 1961 home run race between Maris and Mantle was dramatized in the 2001 film 61*, filmed under the direction of Billy Crystal.

Roger Maris 61 home runs

NumberGameDatePitcherTeamInning
11104-26-1961 Paul Foytack Detroit Tigers 5th
21705-03-1961 Pedro Ramos Minnesota Twins 7th
32005-06-1961 Eli Grba Los Angeles Angels 5th
42905-17-1961 Pete Burnside Washington Senators 8th
53005-19-1961 Jim Perry Cleveland Indians 1st
63105-20-1961 Gary Bell Cleveland Indians3rd
73205-21-1961 Chuck Estrada Baltimore Orioles 1st
83505-24-1961 Gene Conley Boston Red Sox 4th
93805-28-1961 Cal McLish Chicago White Sox 2nd
104005-30-1961 Gene Conley Boston Red Sox 3rd
114005-30-1961 Mike Fornieles Boston Red Sox 8th
124105-31-1961 Billy Muffett Boston Red Sox 3rd
134306-02-1961 Cal McLish Chicago White Sox 3rd
144406-03-1961 Bob Shaw Chicago White Sox 8th
154506-04-1961 Russ Kemmerer Chicago White Sox 3rd
164806-06-1961 Ed Palmquist Minnesota Twins 6th
174906-07-1961 Pedro Ramos Minnesota Twins 3rd
185206-09-1961 Ray Herbert Kansas City Athletics 7th
195506-11-1961Eli GrbaLos Angeles Angels3rd
205506-11-1961Johnny JamesLos Angeles Angels7th
215706-13-1961Jim PerryCleveland Indians6th
225806-14-1961Gary BellCleveland Indians4th
236106-17-1961 Don Mossi Detroit Tigers4th
246206-18-1961 Jerry Casale Detroit Tigers8th
256306-19-1961 Jim Archer Kansas City Athletics 9th
266406-20-1961 Joe Nuxhall Kansas City Athletics 1st
276606-22-1961 Norm Bass Kansas City Athletics 2nd
287407-01-1961 Dave Sisler Washington Senators 9th
297507-02-1961 Pete Burnside Washington Senators 3rd
307507-02-1961 Johnny Klippstein Washington Senators 7th
317707-04-1961 Frank Lary Detroit Tigers8th
327807-05-1961 Frank Funk Cleveland Indians7th
338207-09-1961 Bill Monbouquette Boston Red Sox7th
348407-13-1961 Early Wynn Chicago White Sox1st
358607-15-1961 Ray Herbert Chicago White Sox3rd
369207-21-1961Bill MonbouquetteBoston Red Sox1st
379507-25-1961 Frank Baumann Chicago White Sox4th
389507-25-1961 Don Larsen Chicago White Sox8th
399607-25-1961 Russ Kemmerer Chicago White Sox4th
409607-25-1961 Warren Hacker Chicago White Sox7th
4110608-04-1961 Camilo Pascual Minnesota Twins 1st
4211408-11-1961 Pete Burnside Washington Senators 5th
4311508-12-1961 Dick Donovan Washington Senators 4th
4411608-13-1961 Bennie Daniels Washington Senators 4th
4511708-13-1961Marty Kutyna Washington Senators 1st
4611808-15-1961 Juan Pizarro Chicago White Sox4th
4711908-16-1961 Billy Pierce Chicago White Sox1st
4811908-16-1961 Billy Pierce Chicago White Sox3rd
4912408-20-1961Jim PerryCleveland Indians3rd
5012508-22-1961 Ken McBride Los Angeles Angels6th
5112908-26-1961 Jerry Walker Kansas City Athletics6th
5213509-02-1961 Frank Lary Detroit Tigers6th
5313509-02-1961 Hank Aguirre Detroit Tigers8th
5414009-06-1961 Tom Cheney Washington Senators4th
5514109-07-1961 Dick Stigman Cleveland Indians3rd
5614309-09-1961 Mudcat Grant Cleveland Indians7th
5715109-16-1961 Frank Lary Detroit Tigers3rd
5815209-17-1961Terry FoxDetroit Tigers12th
5915509-20-1961 Milt Pappas Baltimore Orioles 3rd
6015909-26-1961 Jack Fisher Baltimore Orioles 3rd
6116310-01-1961 Tracy Stallard Boston Red Sox 4th

[4]

The Yankees played one tie game which was later made up, and hence took 163 games to achieve 162 decisions.

Season standings

American League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
New York Yankees 10953.673—65‍–‍1644‍–‍37
Detroit Tigers 10161.623850‍–‍3151‍–‍30
Baltimore Orioles 9567.5861448‍–‍3347‍–‍34
Chicago White Sox 8676.5312353‍–‍2833‍–‍48
Cleveland Indians 7883.48430½40‍–‍4138‍–‍42
Boston Red Sox 7686.4693350‍–‍3126‍–‍55
Minnesota Twins 7090.4383836‍–‍4434‍–‍46
Los Angeles Angels 7091.43538½46‍–‍3624‍–‍55
Kansas City Athletics 61100.37947½33‍–‍4728‍–‍53
Washington Senators 61100.37947½33‍–‍4628‍–‍54

Record vs. opponents

1961 American League record

Sources:
TeamBALBOSCWSCLEDETKCALAAMINNYYWAS
Baltimore —11–711–79–99–913–58–1011–79–9–114–4
Boston 7–11—9–95–138–1010–811–7–111–75–1310–8
Chicago 7–119–9—12–66–1214–410–89–9–16–1213–5
Cleveland 9–913–56–12—6–128–910–810–84–1412–6
Detroit 9–910–812–612–6—12–6–114–411–78–1013–5
Kansas City 5–138–104–149–86–12–1—9–97–114–149–9
Los Angeles 10–87–11–18–108–104–149–9—8–96–1210–8
Minnesota 7–117–119–9–18–107–1111–79–8—4–148–9
New York 9–9–113–512–614–410–814–412–614–4—11–7
Washington 4–148–105–136–125–139–98–109–87–11—

Notable transactions

Roster

1961 New York Yankees
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season

Legend
 Yankees win
 Yankees loss
 Yankees tie
 Postponement
 Clinched pennant
BoldYankees team member
1961 Game Log: 109–53–1 (Home: 65–16; Away: 44–37–1) [7]
April: 9–5 (Home: 6–1; Away: 3–4)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
1April 11 Twins 6–0 Ramos (1–0) Ford (0–1)14,6070–1
2April 15 Athletics 5–3 Turley (1–0) Daley (0–1) Stafford (1)11,8021–1
3April 17 Athletics 3–0 Ford (1–1) Walker (0–1)1,9472–1
4April 20 Angels 7–5 Ditmar (1–0) Grba (0–1) Stafford (2)3–1
5April 20 Angels 4–2 Turley (2–0) Garver (0–1) Arroyo (1)7,0594–1
6 April 218:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles W 4–2 Ford (2–1) Barber (1–1)—2:17 12,368 5–1 W5
7 (1)April 222:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles L 3–5 Wilhelm (1–0) Duren (0–1)—2:17 12,536 5–2 L1
8 (2)April 228:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles T 5–5(7)———2:09 14,126 5–2 T1
9 April 232:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles L 1–4 Estrada (1–1) McDevitt (0–1) Hall (1)2:40 18,704 5–3 L1
10 April 241:30 p.m. EST @ Tigers L 3–4 Lary (3–0) Turley (2–1)—2:19 5,662 5–4 L2
—April 251:30 p.m. EST @ Tigers Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: September 15)
11 April 268:15 p.m. EST @ Tigers W 13–11(10) Arroyo (1–0) Aguirre (0–1)—3:20 4,676 6–4 W1
12April 27 Indians 4–3 Ditmar (2–0) Antonelli (0–2)8,8977–4
13April 29 Indians 4–2 Terry (1–0) Perry (2–1) Arroyo (2)14,6248–4
14April 30@ Senators 4–3 Ford (3–1) Donovan (0–4) Arroyo (3)9–4
15April 30@ Senators 2–1 Woodeshick (1–1) Sheldon (0–1) Burnside (1)21,9049–5
May: 14–12 (Home: 7–6; Away: 7–6)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
16May 2@ Twins 6 – 4 (10) Coates (1–0) Pascual (2–1) Arroyo (4)16,66910–5
17May 3@ Twins 7–3 Turley (3–1) Ramos (2–1)18,15811–5
18May 4@ Twins 5–2 Ford (4–1) Kaat (1–2) Coates (1)18,17912–5
19May 5@ Angels 5–4 McDevitt (1–1) Clevenger (2–1) Arroyo (5)17,80113–5
20May 6@ Angels 5–3 Grba (2–2) Ditmar (2–1)19,86513–6
21May 7@ Angels 5–3 Kline (1–0) Coates (1–1) Clevenger (1)19,72213–7
22May 9@ Athletics 5–4 Herbert (2–1) Arroyo (1–1) Archer (1)13,62313–8
23May 10@ Athletics 9–4 Clevenger (3–1) Daley (3–4)15,98614–8
24 May 128:00 p.m. EST Tigers L 3–4 Lary (5–1) Coates (1–2)—3:09 23,556 14–9 L1
25 May 132:00 p.m. EST Tigers L 3–8 Regan (3–0) Turley (3–2)—2:45 18,036 14–10 L2
26 (1)May 142:00 p.m. EST Tigers W 5–4(11) Coates (2–2) Aguirre (1–2)—3:30 — 15–10 W1
27 (2)May 145:55 p.m. EST Tigers W 8–6 Coates (3–2) Bunning (2–3)—2:39 40,968 16–10 W2
28May 16 Senators 3–2 Woodeshick (2–1) Stafford (0–1) Sisler (5)10,05016–11
29May 17 Senators 8–7 Burnside (1–2) Ditmar (2–2) Gabler (1)6,19716–12
30May 19@ Indians 9–7 Latman (3–0) Clevenger (3–2) Allen (2)21,24016–13
31May 20@ Indians 4–3 Funk (4–2) Stafford (0–2)8,43116–14
32 (1)May 212:00 p.m. EST Orioles W 4–2 Ford (5–1) Estrada (2–3)—2:22 — 17–14 W1
33 (2)May 214:47 p.m. EST Orioles L 2–3 Barber (5–3) Sheldon (0–2) Wilhelm (5)2:37 47,890 17–15 L1
34 May 228:00 p.m. EST Orioles W 8–2 Coates (4–2) Fisher (1–5) Arroyo (6)2:43 16,923 18–15 W1
35May 24 Red Sox 3–2 Terry (2–0) Nichols (0–1)7,67319–15
36May 25 Red Sox 6–4 Ford (6–1) Muffett (0–4) Arroyo (7)13,08720–15
37May 28 White Sox 14–9 Lown (2–2) Arroyo (1–2) Pierce (2)20–16
38May 28 White Sox 5–3 Coates (5–2) McLish (2–5)44,43521–16
39May 29@ Red Sox 2–1 Delock (3–1) Ford (6–2)21,80421–17
40May 30@ Red Sox 12–3 Stafford (1–2) Conley (2–4) Coates (2)19,58222–17
41May 31@ Red Sox 7–6 Sheldon (1–2) Muffett (0–5) McDevitt (1)17,31823–17
June: 22–10 (Home: 10–1; Away: 12–9)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
42June 1@ Red Sox 7–5 Monbouquette (4–5) Turley (3–3) Stallard (1)5,25723–18
43June 2@ White Sox 6–2 Ford (7–2) McLish (2–6)38,41024–18
44June 3@ White Sox 6 – 5 (13) Hacker (1–0) Ditmar (2–3)16,48024–19
45June 4@ White Sox 10–1 Stafford (2–2) Pierce (1–5)28,36225–19
46June 5 Twins 6–2 Coates (6–2) Lee (0–2) Arroyo (8)26–19
47June 5 Twins 6–1 Sheldon (2–2) Stobbs (0–2)23,10327–19
48June 6 Twins 7–2 Ford (8–2) Kralick (4–4) Arroyo (9)17,12928–19
49June 7 Twins 5–1 Terry (3–0) Ramos (3–7)9,01629–19
50June 8 Athletics 6–1 Stafford (3–2) Bass (4–3)30–19
51June 8 Athletics 9–6 Archer (3–1) McDevitt (1–2)13,15730–20
52June 9 Athletics 8–6 Arroyo (2–2) Herbert (3–6)22,41831–20
53June 10 Athletics 5–3 Ford (9–2) Nuxhall (4–2)17,27232–20
54June 11 Angels 2–1 Terry (4–0) McBride (5–4)33–20
55June 11 Angels 5–1 Sheldon (3–2) Grba (5–5) Arroyo (10)37,37834–20
56June 12 Angels 3–1 Stafford (4–2) Bowsfield (2–2)16,36335–20
57June 13@ Indians 7–2 Perry (5–4) Coates (6–3) Funk (5)21,70435–21
58June 14@ Indians 11–5 Ford (10–2) Bell (4–6) Arroyo (11)25,09536–21
59June 15@ Indians 3 – 2 (11) Terry (5–0) Funk (7–5)23,35037–21
60 June 168:15 p.m. EST @ Tigers L 2–4 Regan (7–2) Stafford (4–3)—2:12 51,744 37–22 L1
61 June 178:15 p.m. EST @ Tigers L 10–12 Foytack (4–4) Daley (4–9) Fox (4)2:58 51,509 37–23 L2
62 June 181:300 p.m. EST @ Tigers W 9–0 Ford (11–2) Lary (10–4) Arroyo (12)2:27 44,459 38–23 W1
63June 19@ Athletics 4–3 Archer (5–1) Arroyo (2–3)16,71538–24
64June 20@ Athletics 6–2 Stafford (5–3) Nuxhall (4–3) Coates (3)19,92839–24
65June 21@ Athletics 5–3 Daley (5–9) Shaw (3–6) Arroyo (13)19,41640–24
66June 22@ Athletics 8–3 Ford (12–2) Bass (4–6) Arroyo (14)17,25441–24
67June 23@ Twins 4–0 Pascual (5–9) Turley (3–4)30,94041–25
68June 24@ Twins 10–7 Sheldon (4–2) Cueto (0–2) Arroyo (15)35,19942–25
69June 25@ Twins 8–4 Stafford (6–3) Kralick (6–5) Coates (4)35,15243–25
70June 26@ Angels 8–6 Ford (13–2) Donohue (1–2) Arroyo (16)18,87044–25
71June 27@ Angels 7–6 Bowsfield (4–2) Daley (5–10) Grba (2)16,10844–26
72June 28@ Angels 5–3 Duren (3–8) Turley (3–5) Donohue (3)14,67444–27
73June 30@ Senators 5–1 Ford (14–2) Donovan (3–8)28,01945–27
July: 20–9 (Home: 11–5; Away: 9–4)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
74July 1@ Senators 7–6 Arroyo (3–3) Sisler (1–3)16,01546–27
75July 2@ Senators 13–4 Daley (6–10) Burnside (1–5) Arroyo (17)19,79447–27
76 (1)July 41:30 p.m. EST Tigers W 6–2 Ford (15–2) Mossi (9–2)—2:20 — 48–27 W4
77 (2)July 44:15 p.m. EST Tigers L 3–4(10) Lary (12–4) Stafford (6–4) Fox (6)3:29 74,246 48–28 L1
78July 5 Indians 6–0 Sheldon (5–2) Bell (5–9)24,37749–28
79July 6 Indians 4–0 Stafford (7–4) Stigman (2–2)37,13650–28
80July 7 Red Sox 14–3 Daley (7–10) Conley (3–7)29,19951–28
81July 8 Red Sox 8–5 Ford (16–2) Delock (5–5) Arroyo (18)23,38152–28
82July 9 Red Sox 3–0 Sheldon (6–2) Monbouquette (8–7)53–28
83July 9 Red Sox 9–6 Schwall (7–2) Terry (5–1) Earley (1)47,87553–29
—July 11 30th All-Star Game in San Francisco, CA
84July 13@ White Sox 6–2 Stafford (8–4) Wynn (7–2) Arroyo (19)43,96054–29
85July 14@ White Sox 6–1 Pizarro (5–3) Sheldon (6–3)43,45054–30
86July 15@ White Sox 9 – 8 (10) Arroyo (4–3) Hacker (2–2)37,73055–30
87 July 162:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles W 2–1 Daley (8–10) Barber (10–7)—2:10 38,487 56–30 W2
88 July 178:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles W 5–0 Ford (17–2) Pappas (6–5)—2:18 44,332 57–30 W3
89July 18@ Senators 5–3 Arroyo (5–3) McClain (7–9)17,69558–30
90July 19@ Senators 8–4 Daniels (5–5) Daley (8–11)58–31
91July 19@ Senators 12–2 Donovan (6–8) Downing (0–1)27,17658–32
92July 21@ Red Sox 11–8 Arroyo (6–3) Earley (1–4)32,18659–32
93July 22@ Red Sox 11–9 Arroyo (7–3) Conley (4–9)25,08960–32
94July 23@ Red Sox 5–4 Schwall (10–2) Daley (8–12)28,57560–33
95July 25 White Sox 5–1 Ford (18–2) Baumann (7–8) Arroyo (20)61–33
96July 25 White Sox 12–0 Stafford (9–4) Pizarro (6–4)46,24062–33
97July 26 White Sox 5–2 Sheldon (7–3) Herbert (7–9)22,36663–33
98July 27 White Sox 4–3 Terry (6–1) Pierce (5–7) Arroyo (21)20,52964–33
99 July 288:00 p.m. EST Orioles L 0–4 Brown (8–3) Daley (8–13)—2:00 39,623 64–34 L1
100 July 292:00 p.m. EST Orioles W 5–4 Ford (19–2) Fisher (4–10)—2:08 42,990 65–34 W1
101 (1)July 302:00 p.m. EST Orioles L 0–4 Barber (12–8) Stafford (9–5)—2:30 — 65–35 L1
102 (2)July 304:55 p.m. EST Orioles L 1–2 Pappas (7–6) Daley (8–14) Hall (3)2:53 57,180 65–36 L2
—July 31 31st All-Star Game in Boston, MA
August: 22–9 (Home: 7–9; Away: 7–5)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
103August 2 Athletics 6–5 Arroyo (8–3) Archer (7–6)66–36
104August 2 Athletics 12–5 Terry (7–1) Ditmar (2–6) Reniff (1)23,61667–36
105August 3 Athletics 6–1 Shaw (7–9) Daley (8–15)12,58467–37
106August 4 Twins 8 – 5 (10) Arroyo (9–3) Pleis (3–2)24,10968–37
107August 5 Twins 2–1 Coates (7–3) Kralick (10–7)18,88069–37
108August 6 Twins 7 – 6 (15) Reniff (1–0) Moore (4–4)70–37
109August 6 Twins 3–2 Sheldon (8–3) Schroll (0–1)39,40871–37
110August 7 Angels 4–1 Daley (9–15) McBride (9–8)13,94472–37
111August 8 Angels 5 – 4 (10) Arroyo (10–3) Fowler (5–5)24,08473–37
112August 9 Angels 2–0 Coates (8–3) Bowsfield (8–4)17,26174–37
113August 10 Angels 3–1 Ford (20–2) Donohue (4–5) Arroyo (22)15,57575–37
114August 11@ Senators 12–5 Terry (8–1) McClain (7–13) Reniff (2)22,60176–37
115August 12@ Senators 5–1 Donovan (8–8) Stafford (9–6)15,87076–38
116August 13@ Senators 12–2 Daniels (7–6) Daley (9–16)76–39
117August 13@ Senators 9–4 Coates (9–3) Kutyna (6–4)27,36877–39
118August 15 White Sox 2–1 Pizarro (8–5) Ford (20–3)49,05977–40
119August 16 White Sox 5–4 Terry (9–1) Lown (6–5)29,72878–40
120August 17 White Sox 5–3 Stafford (10–6) Baumann (9–10) Arroyo (23)25,53279–40
121August 18@ Indians 5–1 Grant (12–6) Coates (9–4)37,84079–41
122August 19@ Indians 3 – 2 (10) Ford (21–3) Locke (4–2) Arroyo (24)23,39880–41
123August 20@ Indians 6–0 Terry (10–1) Perry (9–11)81–41
124August 20@ Indians 5–2 Sheldon (9–3) Bell (8–13)56,30782–41
125August 22@ Angels 4–3 McBride (10–10) Stafford (10–7)19,93082–42
126August 23@ Angels 8 – 6 (10) Arroyo (11–3) Donohue (4–6)19,77383–42
127August 24@ Angels 6–4 Morgan (6–2) Coates (9–5)19,81983–43
128August 25@ Athletics 3–0 Terry (11–1) Archer (8–10)30,83084–43
129August 26@ Athletics 5–1 Stafford (11–7) Walker (5–11)32,14985–43
130August 27@ Athletics 8–7 Ford (22–3) Shaw (8–12) Arroyo (25)34,06586–43
131August 29@ Twins 3–0 Pascual (12–13) Terry (11–2)40,11886–44
132August 30@ Twins 4–0 Stafford (12–7) Kaat (7–13)41,35787–44
133August 31@ Twins 5–4 Kralick (12–9) Sheldon (9–4)33,70987–45
September: 21–8 (Home: 15–1; Away: 6–7)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
134 September 18:00 p.m. EST Tigers W 1–0 Arroyo (12–3) Mossi (14–4)—2:44 65,566 88–45 W1
135 September 22:00 p.m. EST Tigers W 7–2 Terry (12–2) Lary (19–8) Arroyo (26)2:02 50,261 89–45 W2
136 September 32:00 p.m. EST Tigers W 8–5 Arroyo (13–3) Staley (2–5)—2:42 55,676 90–45 W3
137September 4 Senators 5–3 Reniff (2–0) Daniels (8–10)91–45
138September 4 Senators 3–2 Daley (10–16) Burnside (1–7)34,68392–45
139September 5 Senators 6–1 Coates (10–5) McClain (8–16)16,91793–45
140September 6 Senators 8–0 Ford (23–3) Cheney (1–3)12,29594–45
141September 7 Indians 7–3 Terry (13–2) Stigman (2–4)18,54995–45
142September 8 Indians 9–1 Stafford (13–7) Bell (9–15)41,76296–45
143September 9 Indians 8–7 Arroyo (14–3) Funk (11–10)37,16197–45
144September 10 Indians 7–6 Coates (11–5) Locke (4–4) Arroyo (27)98–45
145September 10 Indians 9–3 Daley (11–16) Perry (10–14)57,82499–45
146September 12@ White Sox 4 – 3 (6) Terry (14–2) Pierce (9–9)36,166100–45
147September 14@ White Sox 8–3 Herbert (10–12) Sheldon (9–5) Hacker (7)100–46
148September 14@ White Sox 4–3 Kemmerer (3–3) Arroyo (14–4)18,120100–47
149 (1)September 156:00 p.m. EST @ Tigers W 11–1 Ford (24–3) Mossi (14–7)—2:47 — 101–47 W1
150 (2)September 159:12 p.m. EST @ Tigers L 2–4 Kline (7–8) Daley (11–17)—2:32 42,267 101–48 L1
151 September 161:30 p.m. EST @ Tigers L 4–10 Lary (21–9) Terry (14–3)—2:32 35,820 101–49 L2
152 September 171:30 p.m. EST @ Tigers W 6–4(12) Arroyo (15–4) Fox (4–2)—3:46 44,219 102–49 W1
153 (1)September 196:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles L 0–1 Barber (17–11) Ford (24–4)—2:27 — 102–50 L1
154 (2)September 198:52 p.m. EST @ Orioles W 3–1 Daley (12–17) Brown (10–6)—2:08 31,317 103–50 W1
155 September 208:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles W 4–2 Terry (15–3) Pappas (12–9)—2:00 21,032 104–50 W2
156 September 218:00 p.m. EST @ Orioles L 3–5 Fisher (10–12) Stafford (13–8)—2:04 22,089 104–51 L1
157September 23@ Red Sox 8–3 Ford (25–4) Schwall (15–6) Arroyo (28)28,128105–51
158September 24@ Red Sox 3–1 Monbouquette (14–13) Arroyo (15–5)30,802105–52
159 September 268:00 p.m. EST Orioles W 3–2 Sheldon (10–5) Fisher (10–13)—2:13 19,401 106–52 W1
160 September 272:00 p.m. EST Orioles L 2–3 Barber (18–12) Stafford (13–9) Hall (4)2:07 7,594 106–53 L1
161September 29 Red Sox 2–1 Sheldon (11–5) Monbouquette (14–14)21,485107–53
162September 30 Red Sox 3–1 Terry (16–3) Schwall (15–7) Coates (5)19,061108–53
October: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Away: 0–0)
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
163October 1 Red Sox 1–0 Stafford (14–9) Stallard (2–7) Arroyo (29)23,154109–53

Detailed records

American League
OpponentHomeAwayTotalPct.Runs scoredRuns allowed
Baltimore Orioles 4–55–49–9.5005552
Detroit Tigers 6–34–510–8.55610485
New York Yankees——————
10–89–919–17.528159137

Postseason Game log

Legend
 Yankees win
 Yankees loss
BoldYankees team member
1961 Postseason game log: 4–1 (Home: 1–1; Away: 3–0)
World Series vs Cincinnati Reds (Home: 1–1; Away: 3–0) [8]
#DateTime (ET)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 October 41:00 p.m. EST Reds W 2–0 Ford (1–0) O'Toole (0–1)—2:11 62,397 NYA 1–0 W1
2 October 51:00 p.m. EST Reds L 2–6 Jay (1–0) Terry (0–1)—2:43 63,083 Tied 1–1 L1
3 October 72:00 p.m. EST @ Reds W 3–2 Arroyo (1–0) Purkey (0–1)—2:15 32,589 NYA 2–1 W1
4 October 82:00 p.m. EST @ Reds W 7–0 Ford (2–0) O'Toole (0–2) Coates (1)2:27 32,589 NYA 3–1 W2
5 October 92:00 p.m. EST @ Reds W 13–5 Daley (1–0) Jay (1–1)—3:05 32,589 NYA 4–1 W3

Player stats

= Indicates team leader
= Indicates league leader

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; R = Runs; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABRHAvg.HRRBI
C Elston Howard 12944664155.3482177
1B Bill Skowron 15056177150.2672889
2B Bobby Richardson 16266280173.261449
3B Clete Boyer 14850461113.2241155
SS Tony Kubek 15361784170.276846
LF Yogi Berra 11939562107.2712261
CF Mickey Mantle 153514131163.31754128
RF Roger Maris 161590132159.26961141*

[9]

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Johnny Blanchard 9324374.3052154
Héctor López 9324354.222322
Bob Cerv 5711832.271620
Billy Gardner 419921.21212
Joe DeMaestri 30416.14602
Deron Johnson 13192.10502
Earl Torgeson 22182.11100
Jack Reed 28132.15401
Bob Hale 11132.15411
Jesse Gonder 15124.33303
Tom Tresh 982.25000
Lee Thomas 221.50000

[9]

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Whitey Ford 39283.02543.21209
Bill Stafford 36195.01492.68101
Ralph Terry 31188.11633.1586
Bud Daley 23129.2893.9683
Bob Turley 1572.0355.7548

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Rollie Sheldon 35162.21153.6084
Jim Coates 43141.11153.4480
Art Ditmar 1254.1234.6424
Danny McDevitt 813.0127.628
Al Downing 59.0108.0012

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLSVERASO
Luis Arroyo 65119.0155292.1987
Hal Reniff 2545.12022.5821
Tex Clevenger 2131.21104.8314
Ryne Duren 45.00105.407
Johnny James 11.10000.002
Duke Maas 10.100054.000

1961 World Series

1961 World Series
New York Yankees def. Cincinnati Reds, 4–1
MVP Award: Whitey Ford, P, New York
GameDateScoreSeries
(NYY-CIN)		LocationAttendanceTime
1October 4Yankees 2, Reds 01–0 Yankee Stadium 62,3972:11
2October 5 Reds 6, Yankees 21–1 Yankee Stadium 63,0832:43
3October 7Yankees 3, Reds 22–1 Crosley Field 32,5892:15
4October 8Yankees 7, Reds 03–1 Crosley Field 32.5892:27
5October 9Yankees 13, Reds 54–1 Crosley Field 32,5893:05

Awards and honors

1961 All-Star Game

League leaders

Franchise records

Team leaders

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Richmond Virginians International League Cal Ermer
AA Amarillo Gold Sox Texas League Sheriff Robinson
A Binghamton Triplets Eastern League Jim Gleeson
B Greensboro Yankees Carolina League Wayne Terwilliger
C Modesto Reds California League Vern Rapp
D Harlan Smokies Appalachian League Frank Parenti and Eddie Lyons
D St. Petersburg Saints Florida State League Bob Bauer
D Auburn Yankees New York–Penn League Loren Babe

Harlan affiliation shared with Chicago White Sox [11]

Notes

  1. ↑ Bob Cerv at Baseball Reference
  2. ↑ Art López at Baseball Reference
  3. ↑ Jake Gibbs at Baseball Reference
  4. ↑ "Roger Maris 1961 Home Run Season by Baseball Almanac". baseball-almanac.com.
  5. ↑ "Rome News-Tribune - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  6. ↑ Roy White at Baseball Reference
  7. ↑ "1961 New York Yankees Schedule & Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  8. ↑ "1961 World Series - New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4-1)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "1961 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ↑ "1961 All-Star Game". baseball-almanac.com.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007

References

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