June 28, 1961: Ron Santo comes up big with two homers, seven RBIs

“The Cubs had 25 base runners, and (the public-address) announcer…
Willie Mays (SABR-Rucker Archive)

June 29, 1961: Willie Mays hits three homers, including the game-winner in the 10th

Willie Mays became just the fourth major leaguer to hit at…
Roger Maris (Trading Card DB)

July 2, 1961: Yankee bats pummel Senators on way to home run records

Sunday, July 2, 1961, was a muggy day at Yankee Stadium, with…
Rocky Colavito (Trading Card DB)

July 5, 1961: 700 nuns but only 2 runs equal loss for Red Sox

On January 20, 1961, nearly a million people in Washington, D.C.,1…

July 9, 1961: Willie Kirkland hits 3 homers, bunts in the ninth inning

Frank Lane was no longer Cleveland’s general manager. He resigned…

July 11, 1961: Clemente delivers a walk-off win for NL stars in 10th inning

Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente was no stranger to baseball’s…

August 3, 1961: Pirates’ 24-hit attack produces NL record-tying shutout

“We just got slaughtered,” muttered St. Louis Cardinals skipper…

August 11, 1961: Braves’ Warren Spahn wins his 300th career game

Warren Spahn joined the elite group of 300-game winners with…

August 20, 1961: Phillies beat Braves to end 23-game losing streak

When the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves played a…
Cuno Barragan (Trading Card Database)

September 1, 1961: New coach, new catcher, but still no victory for Cubs

When the Chicago Cubs took the field for their first game in…

September 1, 1961: Skowron’s single launches Yankees on 13-game winning streak

The Setting The baseball world has been captivated this summer…

September 20, 1961: Hurricane Sandy strikes the West Coast

As people awoke on Wednesday, September 20, 1961, and settled…

September 20, 1961: Roger Maris hits 59th home run as Yankees clinch pennant

Wednesday, September 20, 1961, offered the last chance for Roger…
National Baseball Hall of Fame Library

September 26, 1961: Roger Maris clubs 60th home run to tie Babe Ruth

Roger Maris connects for his 60th home run of the season in…

September 26, 1961: Cincinnati Reds clinch first NL pennant in 21 years

The 1961 Cincinnati Reds1 were a pre-season pick to finish sixth…

October 1, 1961: Roger Maris surpasses Babe Ruth with 61st home run

On October 1, 1961, ending a quest that had enthralled both the…