Ferkovich: The summer of Rock and Sock: 1961 Detroit Tigers
From SABR member Scott Ferkovich at The National Pastime Museum on June 15, 2015:
It was the summer of 1961. JFK was in the White House. Construction began on the Berlin Wall. Bobby Lewis’s “Tossin’ and Turnin’” spent seven consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard charts.
In Detroit, fans flocked to newly renamed Tiger Stadium, thrilled by a high-octane offense that led the Major Leagues in runs scored with 841, while setting a new franchise record of 180 home runs.
But, in the end, the Tigers picked the wrong year to win 101 games.
That’s because the New York Yankees, with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris chasing the ghost of Babe Ruth all summer long, won 109, leaving Detroit in the dust.
Read the full article here: http://www.thenationalpastimemuseum.com/article/summer-rock-and-sock-rocky-colavito-norm-cash-and-1961-detroit-tigers
Originally published: June 15, 2015. Last Updated: June 15, 2015.