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Major League Baseball

World Series
1961 World Series
The 1961 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds , with the Yankees winning in five games to earn their 19th championship in 39 seasons. This World Series was surrounded by Cold War political puns pitting the "Reds" against the "Yanks"...

: New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

over Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

(4–1); Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...

, MVP
All-Star Game (#1)
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...

, July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 (10 innings)
All-Star Game (#2)
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...

, July 31 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...

: 1–1 tie (9 innings, rain)

Other champions

College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...

: USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
Japan Series
Japan Series
, or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League....

: Yomiuri Giants
Yomiuri Giants
The are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...

over Nankai Hawks (4–2)
Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...

: Northern, El Cajon, California
El Cajon, California
-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...

Awards and honors

Most Valuable Player
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
- Roger Maris
  Roger Maris
  Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
  
  (AL)
- Frank Robinson
  Frank Robinson
  Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
  
  (NL)
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
- Whitey Ford, New York Yankees
Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
- Don Schwall
  Don Schwall
  Donald Bernard Schwall is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves ....
  
  (AL)
- Billy Williams (NL)

MLB statistical leaders

EWLINE

	American League American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...		National League National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Type	Name	Stat	Name	Stat
AVG Batting average Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...	Norm Cash Norm Cash Norman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers... DET	.361	Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in... PIT	.351
HR Home run In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...	Roger Maris Roger Maris Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs... NYY	61	Orlando Cepeda Orlando Cepeda Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was... SFG	46
RBI	Roger Maris Roger Maris Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs... NYY	142	Orlando Cepeda Orlando Cepeda Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was... SFG	142
Wins Win (baseball) In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...	Whitey Ford Whitey Ford Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:... NYY	25	Warren Spahn Warren Spahn Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42... MLN Joey Jay Joey Jay Joseph Richard Jay is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1953 through 1966, Jay played for the Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves... CIN	25
ERA Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...	Dick Donovan WSH	2.40	Warren Spahn Warren Spahn Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42... MLN	3.02
SO Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....	Camilo Pascual Camilo Pascual Camilo Alberto Pascual is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During an 18-year baseball career , he played for the Washington Senators , the second Washington Senators franchise, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cleveland Indians... MIN	221	Sandy Koufax Sandy Koufax Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers... LAD	269
SV	Luis Arroyo Luis Arroyo Luis Enrique "Tite" Arroyo, , is a former major league baseball pitcher.-Baseball career:Luis Arroyo, from Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, made his Major League Baseball debut on April 20, 1955. A stocky left-hander, he spent one season primarily as a starter with the St. Louis Cardinals... NYY	29	Roy Face Roy Face Elroy Leon Face is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953–1969, pitching primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates... PIT Stu Miller Stu Miller Stuart Leonard Miller , is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , New York & San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves... SFG	17
SB Stolen base In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...	Luis Aparicio Luis Aparicio Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed... CHW	53	Maury Wills Maury Wills Maurice Morning "Maury" Wills is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers , and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos... LAD	35

American League final standings


Rank	Club	Wins	Losses	Win %	GB
1st	New York Yankees New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...	109	53	.673	–
2nd	Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...	101	61	.623	8.0
3rd	Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...	95	67	.586	14.0
4th	Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...	86	76	.531	23.0
5th	Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...	78	83	.484	30.5
6th	Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...	76	86	.469	33.0
7th	Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...	70	90	.438	38.0
8th	Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...	70	91	.435	38.5
9th	Washington Senators Texas Rangers (baseball) The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...	61	100	.379	47.5
10th	Kansas City Athletics Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....	61	100	.379	47.5

National League final standings


Rank	Club	Wins	Losses	Win %	GB
1st	Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....	93	61	.604	–
2nd	Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...	89	65	.578	4.0
3rd	San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....	85	69	.552	8.0
4th	Milwaukee Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	83	71	.539	10.0
5th	St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...	80	74	.519	13.0
6th	Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...	75	79	.487	18.0
7th	Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...	64	90	.416	29.0
8th	Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...	47	107	.305	46.0

January–April

January 29 – Billy Hamilton and Max Carey
Max Carey
Max George Carey was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who starred for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1961...

are voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

February 7 – Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

outfielder Jackie Jensen
Jackie Jensen
Jack Eugene Jensen was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for three American League teams from 1950 to 1961, most notably the Boston Red Sox...

makes a return to the major leagues by signing a $40,000 contract. Jensen had retired in 1960 due to a fear of flying
Fear of flying
A fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane , or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also sometimes referred to as aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia or pteromerhanophobia....

. The layoff will prove detrimental to Jensen, who will hit only .263 with 13 home runs in 1961.

March – The Cuban government, led by Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...

, abolishes professional baseball and ends the Cuban League
Cuban League
The Cuban League was one of the earliest and longest lasting professional baseball leagues outside of the United States, operating in Cuba from 1878 to 1961...

which was started in 1878.

March 6 – The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club Inc.
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...

formally receives a certificate of membership from National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

President Warren Giles
Warren Giles
Warren Crandall Giles was a National League executive in Major League Baseball.-Baseball:Giles was elected president of the Moline, Illinois baseball club in the Three-I League in 1919 and began a 50-year career in baseball that saw him rise all the way to the presidency of the National League...

.

April 11
- At Fenway Park
  Fenway Park
  Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
  
  , Boston Red Sox
  1961 Boston Red Sox season
  The Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing sixth in the American League with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.- Regular season :Future Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski made his major league debut on Opening Day, April 11...
  
  rookie Carl Yastrzemski
  Carl Yastrzemski
  Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
  
  gets a hit off Ray Herbert
  Ray Herbert
  Raymond Ernest Herbert was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. He won 20 games with the White Sox in and was selected to play in the All-Star game. The following season, he led...
  
  of the Kansas City Athletics
  1961 Kansas City Athletics season
  The Kansas City Athletics season was a season in American baseball. The A's finished with a record of 61–100, tying the expansion Washington Senators for ninth place, last in the newly-expanded 10-team American League.- Offseason :...
  
  . It is the first of 3,318 hit
  Hit
  Hit may mean to strike someone or something to cause physical harm.Hit or HIT may also refer to:-Business:* Hitachi, Ltd. * Hongkong International Terminals Ltd....
  
  s that Yastrzemski will amass over a 23-year illustrious career
- The Los Angeles Angels
  1961 Los Angeles Angels season
  The Los Angeles Angels season ended with the Angels finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 70-91. It was the Angels' first season in franchise history, and their only season at Wrigley Field...
  
  play the first game in franchise history, defeating a strong Baltimore Orioles
  1961 Baltimore Orioles season
  The 1961 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses, 14 games behind the AL and World Series champion New York Yankees...
  
  team, 7–2. For the Angels, Ted Kluszewski
  Ted Kluszewski
  Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...
  
  hits two home run
  Home run
  In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
  
  s while Eli Grba
  Eli Grba
  Eli Grba is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 5-year baseball career, he pitched for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels . He was the first selection in the 1960 MLB expansion draft, and he became a charter member of the Angels...
  
  pitches a complete game.
- At Yankee Stadium, the Minnesota Twins
  Minnesota Twins
  The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
  
  shutout the New York Yankees
  New York Yankees
  The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
  
  , 6–0, in their first game since their move from Washington DC. Pedro Ramos
  Pedro Ramos
  Pedro Ramos Guerra was a Major League pitcher with a 15-year career from 1955 to 1967, and again from 1969 to 1970...
  
  is the winning pitcher, helping himself with a two-run single
  Single (baseball)
  In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
  
  while allowing just three singles in beating Yankees starter, Whitey Ford
  Whitey Ford
  Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
  
  .
- Philadelphia Phillies
  Philadelphia Phillies
  The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
  
  pitcher Robin Roberts
  Robin Roberts
  Robin Roberts may refer to:* Robin Roberts , American baseball player* Robin Roberts , Good Morning America anchor and former ESPN anchor...
  
  ties Grover Cleveland Alexander
  Grover Cleveland Alexander
  Grover Cleveland Alexander , nicknamed "Old Pete", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938.-Career:Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska, one of thirteen...
  
  's National League record with a 12th-straight Opening Day start‚ but Philadelphia loses 6–2 to Don Drysdale
  Don Drysdale
  Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
  
  and the Los Angeles Dodgers
  Los Angeles Dodgers
  The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
  
  . Roberts is now 5-6 on Opening Day.

April 21 – The Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

play their very first home game in franchise history losing to the Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

5–3.

April 22 – The Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

snap a 13-game losing streak in Chicago's Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was the ballpark in which the Chicago White Sox played from 1910 to 1990. It was built by Charles Comiskey after a design by Zachary Taylor Davis, and was the site of four World Series and more than 6,000 major league games...

by edging the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

7–6 on Pumpsie Green
Pumpsie Green
Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green is a former Major League Baseball backup infielder who played with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets . He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed....

's 11th inning home run.

April 27 – The Los Angeles Angels drew a disappointing crowd of 11,931 for their home opener against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

at Los Angeles' Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field (Los Angeles)
Wrigley Field was a ballpark in Los Angeles, California which served as host to minor league baseball teams in the region for over 30 years, and was the home park for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League as well as a current major league team, the later Los Angeles Angels, in their...

. Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...

, in his last appearance at a ball park, throws out the ceremonial first pitch. Minnesota starter Camilo Pascual
Camilo Pascual
Camilo Alberto Pascual is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During an 18-year baseball career , he played for the Washington Senators , the second Washington Senators franchise, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cleveland Indians...

spoils the opener by winning, 4–2, sending the Angels to their eighth loss in nine games.

April 30 – San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....

slugger Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...

became the ninth player to hit four home runs
MLB hitters with four home runs in one game
Writers of Sporting News described hitting four home runs in a single Major League Baseball game as "baseball's greatest single-game accomplishment". Fifteen players have accomplished the feat to date. No player has done this more than once in his career and no player has ever hit more than four...

in a single game as the Giants beat the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

, 14–4, at Milwaukee's County Stadium.

May–August

May 8 – New York's expansion National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

club announces that the team nickname will be "Mets,"
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...

a natural shortening of the corporate name ("New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc.")
May 31 – Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

outfielder Carroll Hardy
Carroll Hardy
Carroll William Hardy is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Houston Colt .45s and Minnesota Twins...

pinch-hits for rookie Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...

. On September 20, 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...

, Hardy pinch hit for Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...

, making him the only player to go in for both future Hall of Famers. Hardy also hit his first major league home run pinch-hitting for Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...

when both were at Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...

(May 18, 1958
1958 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Milwaukee Braves ; Bob Turley, MVP*All-Star Game, July 8 at Memorial Stadium: American League, 4-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: USC...

).
June 29 – Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...

hits 3 home runs helping San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....

beat Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

8-7.
July 4 – Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...

hits 300th career home run.
July 11 – Strong winds at Candlestick Park dominate the first All-Star Game of the season. A capacity crowd sees pitcher Stu Miller
Stu Miller
Stuart Leonard Miller , is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , New York & San Francisco Giants , Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves...

blown off the mound in the ninth inning resulting in balk being called, and it enables the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...

to forge a 3–3 tie before losing 5–4 in 10 innings.
July 17 – Commissioner Ford Frick
Ford Frick
Ford Christopher Frick was an American sportswriter and executive who served as president of the National League from to and as the third Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1951 to . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...

decrees that Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...

's record of 60 home runs in a 154-game schedule in 1927
1927 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:*Murderers' Row lead New York Yankees to World Series victory.*Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs.-Champions:* World Series: New York Yankees over Pittsburgh Pirates...

"cannot be broken unless some batter hits 61 or more within his club's first 154 games." Two days later, Frick, an old friend of Ruth, announces that should Ruth's record be beaten after 154 games, the record will carry an asterisk. When asked about the ruling, Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...

replies, "A season is a season."
July 31 – At Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...

, the second All-Star Game of the year ends in a 1–1 tie as heavy rain halted play. It is the first tie in All-Star history.
August 11 – Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...

of the Milwaukee Braves records his 300th career win.
August 20 – The Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

snap a modern-day record 23-game losing streak, defeating the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

7-4 in the second game of a doubleheader at Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...

. Phillie pitcher John Buzhardt
John Buzhardt
John William Buzhardt was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros from through . His best season came in when he won 13 games and lost only 8 with the White Sox. He...

goes the distance for the victory; he had also been the winning pitcher in the Phillies' last victory prior to the start of the losing streak, on July 28 against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....

.
August 22 – Roger Maris becomes the first player to hit his 50th home run of the season in the month of August as the Yankees lose to the Los Angeles Angels 4-3. Angels' pitcher Ken McBride
Ken McBride
Kenneth Faye McBride is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. The 6'0", . righty was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1954 season...

tees up the gopher ball in the 6th inning with one on.
August 23 – At Cincinnati's Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...

, the Giants hit five home runs in a 12-run ninth inning, beat the Cincinnati reds 14-0.
August 24 – Ageless Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...

signs with Portland of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...

. in 25 innings for the Beavers, he will have a 2.88 ERA.

September–December

September 1 – The Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

' Paul Richards
Paul Richards (baseball)
Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...

resigned as manager to become the new General Manager of the new Houston National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

club. The club would be known as the Houston Colt .45s. Lum Harris
Lum Harris
Chalmer Luman Harris was an American right-handed pitcher, coach, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball....

takes over as manager of the Orioles.

September 2 – Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

manager Chuck Dressen
Chuck Dressen
Charles Walter Dressen , known as both "Chuck" and "Charlie," was an American third baseman, manager and coach in professional baseball during a career that lasted almost fifty years, and was best known as the manager of the powerful Brooklyn Dodgers of 1951–1953...

(71–58) is fired and executive vice president Birdie Tebbetts
Birdie Tebbetts
George Robert "Birdie" Tebbetts was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and front office executive. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians from to...

becomes the new Braves manager.

September 26
- The Cincinnati Reds
  Cincinnati Reds
  The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
  
  clinch their first National League
  National League
  The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
  
  pennant since 1940. Home runs by OF Frank Robinson
  Frank Robinson
  Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
  
  and pinch hitter Jerry Lynch
  Jerry Lynch
  Gerald Thomas Lynch is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds . He was born in Munger, Michigan....
  
  (a tie breaker in the 8th inning) give the Reds an 8–3 win over the Chicago Cubs
  Chicago Cubs
  The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
  
  at Wrigley Field
  Wrigley Field
  Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
  
  .
- Roger Maris
  Roger Maris
  Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
  
  of the New York Yankees
  New York Yankees
  The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
  
  hits his major league record-tying 60th home run of the season, a third inning solo shot against Jack Fisher
  Jack Fisher
  John Howard Fisher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles , San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , and Cincinnati Reds...
  
  of the Baltimore Orioles
  Baltimore Orioles
  The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
  
  .

October 1 – Before a small crowd at Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

outfielder Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...

smacks a 2–0 pitch into right field for his 61st home run of the season (a record that would last until Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...

broke it in ).

October 9 – In Game Five of the World Series
1961 World Series
The 1961 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds , with the Yankees winning in five games to earn their 19th championship in 39 seasons. This World Series was surrounded by Cold War political puns pitting the "Reds" against the "Yanks"...

, Johnny Blanchard
Johnny Blanchard
John Edwin Blanchard was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder and catcher from 1955 and 1959-1965. A defensive liability for the New York Yankees for most of his career, Blanchard is probably best-known for his play in the 1961 World Series...

and Héctor López
Héctor López
Héctor Headley López Swainson is a former left fielder and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees from to...

spark a five-run first inning and 13–5 win for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...

over the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

. Blanchard and López hit home runs, and López drives in five runs. Bud Daley
Bud Daley
Leavitt Leo "Bud" Daley , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1955-1964....

's long relief effort wraps up the Series, as Ralph Houk
Ralph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...

becomes the third rookie manager to guide a World Series winner. Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...

is named the Series MVP.

November 16 – The New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...

logo, designed by sports cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...

Ray Gatto, is unveiled. The insignia is round with orange stitching represents a baseball. A bridge in the foreground symbolizes that the Mets, in bringing back the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, represent all five boroughs. The skyline in the background includes a church spire, symbolic of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...

, the Williamsburg Savings Bank, the Woolworth
F. W. Woolworth Company
The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...

Building, the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...

and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...

Building. The Mets' colors are Dodger blue and Giant orange, symbolic of the return of National League baseball to New York after the Dodgers and Giants moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

.

November 22 – Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...

becomes the first Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

player in 21 years to win the National League MVP Award, taking 219 of 224 possible votes.

November 26 – The Professional Baseball Rules Committee votes 8–1 against legalizing the spitball
Spitball
A spitball is an illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of saliva, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance....

. Only National League supervisor of umpires Cal Hubbard
Cal Hubbard
Robert Calvin Hubbard was a professional American football player and later an umpire in Major League Baseball, and is a member of three major sports halls of fame...

votes in favor.

November 27 – The Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...

again trade Chicago fans favorite Minnie Miñoso, this time to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...

in exchange for OF/1B Joe Cunningham
Joe Cunningham
Joseph Robert Cunningham, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and left-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , and Washington Senators ....

.

November 30 – Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

outfielder Billy Williams, who hit .278 with 25 home runs and 86 RBI, is selected as the National League Rookie of the Year. Catcher Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...

of the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

(.278, 10, 42) and Cubs pitcher Jack Curtis
Jack Curtis (baseball)
Jack Patrick Curtis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 to 1962, the Milwaukee Braves in 1962, and the Cleveland Indians in 1963....

(10 wins, 4.89 ERA) also receive consideration for the honor.

December 2 – MLB clubs vote to curb bonuses. All first-year players not on major rosters, except one minor leaguer, can be drafted by any other club for $8,000. Clubs are expected to be unwilling to pay large bonuses for players who will be subject to a draft for just $8,000.

January–March

January 3 – John Leister
John Leister
John William Leister is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6' 2", 200 lb., Leister batted and threw right-handed. He was signed as a free agent in 1984 out of Michigan State University, where he had graduated...
January 5 – Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball, from until . He also played one season in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants in , winning a world championship...
January 5 – John Russell
January 12 – Casey Candaele
Casey Candaele
Casey Todd Candaele is a former Major League Baseball player from 1986 to 1997 for the Montreal Expos, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians. Candaele was known as a versatile utility player who could play many infield and outfield positions. His mother, Helen Callaghan St...
January 29 – Mike Aldrete
Mike Aldrete
Michael Peter Aldrete is a former first baseman/outfielder in Major League Baseball.Aldrete was a four-year letterman at Stanford University...
February 9 – John Kruk
John Kruk
John Martin Kruk is a former Major League Baseball player and current baseball analyst for ESPN.-Early life and career:...
February 21 – Joel Skinner
Joel Skinner
Joel Patrick Skinner is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former third base coach of the Cleveland Indians. Skinner was dismissed effective with the end of the 2009 season on September 30, 2009. He is the son of Bob Skinner, a National League outfielder in the 1950s and '60s...
March 5 – Steve Ontiveros
March 8 – Mark Salas
Mark Salas
Mark Bruce Salas is a former professional catcher who played in Major League Baseball from -. Salas, who is of Mexican descent, currently works for the Chicago White Sox as a bullpen catcher....
March 10 – Mike Birkbeck
Mike Birkbeck
Michael Lawrence Birkbeck is a former baseball player. A pitcher, Birkbeck played for the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets ....
March 28 – Glenn Davis
Glenn Davis (baseball)
Glenn Earl Davis is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. While a member of the Houston Astros in the late 1980s, he finished three times in the top ten in National League MVP balloting . He batted and threw right-handed....
March 29 – Mike Kingery
Mike Kingery
Michael Scott Kingery , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues, primarily as an outfielder, from 1986–1992 and 1994-1996. Kingery's career high for home runs in a season was 9, set in 1987 while playing limited time with the Seattle Mariners...

April–June

April 3 – Tim Crews
Tim Crews
Stanley Timothy Crews was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers -- to . He was granted free agency after the 1992 season and signed with the Cleveland Indians on January 22, 1993....
April 4 – Brad Komminsk
Brad Komminsk
Brad Komminsk , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Despite a sterling record in the minor leagues, he never played well in the majors...
April 9 – Kirk McCaskill
Kirk McCaskill
Kirk Edward McCaskill is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and a retired professional hockey player....
April 19 – Spike Owen
Spike Owen
Spike Dee Owen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , New York Yankees and California Angels...
April 20 – Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
April 22 – Jimmy Key
Jimmy Key
James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...
April 26 – Curtis Wilkerson
Curtis Wilkerson
Curtis Vernon Wilkerson , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility man from -....
May 23 – Kevin Romine
Kevin Romine
Kevin Andrew Romine is a former utility outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox throughout his career .-Biography:...
June 8 – Kevin Gross
Kevin Gross
Kevin Frank Gross , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1983 through 1997.Gross played for five different teams during his career: the Philadelphia Phillies , Montreal Expos , Los Angeles Dodgers , Texas Rangers , and Anaheim Angels...
June 17 – Mickey Brantley
Mickey Brantley
Michael Charles "Mickey" Brantley is a former Major League Baseball player. He was the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from early to September ....
June 18 – Andrés Galarraga
Andrés Galarraga
Andrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
June 18 – Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy (1980s pitcher)
Thomas Michael McCarthy is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox...
June 20 – Gary Varsho
Gary Varsho
Gary Andrew Varsho is a former Major League Baseball player, formerly serving as a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates...

July–September

July 23 – Chuck Crim
Chuck Crim
Charles Robert Crim , is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, the California Angels and the Chicago Cubs from to ....
July 27 – Nelson Santovenia
Nelson Santovenia
Nelson Gil Santovenia Mayol , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a catcher from 1987 to 1993. He played college baseball at the University of Miami....
August 15 – Chris Brown
August 18 – Jack Howell
August 26 – Jeff Parrett
Jeff Parrett
Jeffrey Dale Parrett was a pitcher for the Montreal Expos , Philadelphia Phillies , Atlanta Braves , Oakland Athletics , Colorado Rockies and St...
August 27 – Mike Maddux
Mike Maddux
Michael Ausley Maddux is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and the pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. He is the older brother of four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux....
September 2 – Jeff Russell
Jeff Russell
Jeffrey Lee Russell is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played 14 years from 1983 to 1996. Russell played for the Cincinnati Reds of the National League and the Texas Rangers, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, all of the American League...
September 9 – Jim Corsi
Jim Corsi
James Bernard Corsi was a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics , Houston Astros , Florida Marlins , Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles ....
September 16 – Mark Parent
September 22 – Vince Coleman
Vince Coleman
Vincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from to and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.-Biography:Coleman attended...
September 22 – Bob Geren
Bob Geren
Robert Peter Geren is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. During a 5-year playing career, he played for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres . He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2007 through 2011...
September 26 – Steve Buechele
Steve Buechele
Steven Bernard Buechele is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Buechele played from to for the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs. He joined the Rangers in after he was named the Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year...

October–December

October 4 – Mike Sharperson
Mike Sharperson
Michael Tyrone Sharperson was an infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves . Sharperson batted and threw right-handed...
October 17 – Dan Pasqua
Dan Pasqua
Daniel Anthony Pasqua , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1985-1994. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1982 amateur draft. Pasqua attended William Paterson University in New Jersey...
October 19 – Tim Belcher
Tim Belcher
Timothy Wayne Belcher is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He won the Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award in for the National League...
October 23 – Jim Presley
Jim Presley
James Arthur Presley is a former Major League Baseball infielder with an eight year career from 1984 to 1991. He played for the Seattle Mariners of the American League and the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres of the National League. He was primarily a third baseman but also saw some time...
October 24 – Rafael Belliard
Rafael Belliard
Rafael Leonidas Belliard Matias is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He is currently the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers....
October 26 – Gus Polidor
Gus Polidor
Gustavo Adolfo Polidor González [poh-lee-DOR], , was a shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels , Milwaukee Brewers and Florida Marlins . He was born in Caracas, Venezuela.His best year was 1987 with the Angels, when he hit for a .263 batting average, with 2 homers...
October 27 – Bill Swift
Bill Swift
William Charles Swift is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.After graduating South Portland High School, Swift attended the University of Maine. Swift pitched for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was a first-round draft pick by the Seattle Mariners following his senior year at Maine...
October 28 – Bob Melvin
Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin is the manager of the Oakland Athletics, and a former Major League Baseball catcher.During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1985–94 for seven different teams...
October 30 – Scott Garrelts
Scott Garrelts
Scott William Garrelts , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the San Francisco Giants from 1982 to 1991...
November 4 – Ángel Salazar
Argenis Salazar
Argenis Antonio Salazar Yepez [ar-HAY-nees sah-lah-THAR] is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos , Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs . He batted and threw right-handed.Salazar, who was known by the nickname "Angel", was signed by Montreal as an amateur...
November 5 – Fred Manrique
Fred Manrique
Fred Eloy Manrique Reyes [man-RE-kay] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics...
November 12 – Greg Gagne
November 18 – Mike Felder
Mike Felder
Michael Felder is a former Major League Baseball player who played in the major leagues from -. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros-Career:...
November 27 – Randy Milligan
Randy Milligan
Randall Andre Milligan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1987-1994. He is currently a scout with the Baltimore Orioles. Milligan is nicknamed "Moose".-External links:...
December 1 – Herm Winningham
Herm Winningham
Herman Son Winningham is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball.Drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round of the 1981 amateur draft, Winningham made his major league debut with the Mets on September 1, , and appeared in his final game on October 3, .Winningham was a member of the...
December 4 – Alexis Infante
Alexis Infante
Fermin Alexis Infante Carpio [in-FAHN-tay], born Fermin Alexis Infante Carpio , is a former Major League Baseball infielder....
December 11 – Mike Henneman
Mike Henneman
Michael Alan Henneman was a pitcher with a 10-year career from 1987 to 1996. He played for the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, both of the American League, and the Houston Astros of the National League....
December 14 – Jeff Robinson
December 18 – Scott Bailes
Scott Bailes
Scott Alan Bailes , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for three teams during a 13-year Major League career. At some point during his youth, he moved to Missouri, and participated in Little League, Pony League, and American Legion teams...
December 26 – Storm Davis
Storm Davis
George Earl "Storm" Davis , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from 1982-1994.-World Series experience:...
December 26 – Jim Traber
Jim Traber
James Joseph "Jim" Traber is a former Major League Baseball player who currently works as a sports talk show host in Oklahoma City....
December 31 – Rick Aguilera
Rick Aguilera
Richard Warren Aguilera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 16-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-2000 for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs....

Deaths

January 5 – Fred Luderus
Fred Luderus
Frederick William Luderus , is a former professional baseball player who played first base in the Major Leagues from 1909-1920. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs.Luderus was a member of the 1915 Phillies team that won the National League pennant...

, 75, Phillies first baseman of the 1910s, captain of the 1915 NL champions
January 8 – Schoolboy Rowe
Schoolboy Rowe
Lynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...

, 50, 3-time All-Star pitcher who won 158 games, mainly with the Tigers and Phillies
January 30 – Aaron Ward, 64, second baseman on the Yankees' first championship team in 1923
February 16 – Dazzy Vance
Dazzy Vance
Charles Arthur "Dazzy" Vance was a star Major League Baseball starting pitcher during the 1920s.-Biography:...

, 69, Hall of Fame pitcher who led the NL in strikeouts seven years in a row and won the 1924 MVP award
February 19 – Red Smith, 61, shortstop for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1920s
March 13 – Joe Berry
Joe Berry (catcher)
Joseph Howard Berry, Sr. was an American baseball player who appeared in one Major League Baseball game with the Philadelphia Phillies in . He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed....

, 88, catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies for one game in 1902
April 15 – Nick Cullop
Nick Cullop (pitcher)
Norman Andrew "Nick" Cullop was a starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between and . A native of Chilhowie, Virginia, Cullop batted and threw left-handed...

, 73, pitcher for the Cleveland Naps, New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns, who also won 22 games for the 1915 Kansas City Packers in the outlaw Federal League
April 23 – Jack Barry
Jack Barry (baseball)
John Joseph "Jack" Barry was an American shortstop, second baseman, and manager in Major League Baseball, and later a college baseball coach...

, 73, shortstop in the Athletics' "$100,000 infield", coach since 1921 at Holy Cross, where he won the 1952 College World Series and posted the highest career winning percentage (.806) in collegiate history
April 28 – Tommy Connolly
Tom Connolly
Thomas Henry Connolly was an English-American umpire in Major League Baseball. He officiated in the National League from 1898 to 1900, followed by 31 years of service in the American League from 1901 to 1931...

, 90, Hall of Fame umpire from 1898 to 1931 who worked the first American League game ever, as well as the first contests at Comiskey Park, Shibe Park, Fenway Park, and Yankee Stadium
May 17 – Otto Knabe
Otto Knabe
Franz Otto Knabe , also known as "Dutch", was an American Major league second baseman from Carrick, Pennsylvania, who played for four different teams...

, 76, Second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...

for many years, and was the player-manager for the Baltimore Terrapins
Baltimore Terrapins
The Baltimore Terrapins were one of the most successful teams in the short-lived Federal League of professional baseball from to , but their brief existence led to litigation that led to an important legal precedent in baseball...

of the Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...

.
June 18 – Eddie Gaedel
Eddie Gaedel
Edward Carl Gaedel was an American with dwarfism who became famous for participating in a Major League Baseball game....

, 36, 3'7" player who made one appearance for the 1951 Browns in a stunt promotion
July 17 – Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...

, 74, Hall of Fame center fielder widely recognized during his lifetime as the greatest player in the sport's history, and holder of more records than any other player including highest lifetime batting average (.367) and most career hits (4,191), runs (2,245), steals (892), games (3,033) and at bats (11,429)
July 17 – Ed Reulbach
Ed Reulbach
Edward Marvin "Big Ed" Reulbach was a major league baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs during their glory years of the early 1900s....

, 78, pitcher who starred for the Cubs from 1905 to 1913, winning 182 career games
July 18 – Hod Eller
Hod Eller
Horace Owen Eller was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.Eller started his minor league career in 1913 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds after the 1916 season. He pitched five years for the Reds, going 60-40 with a 2.62 earned run average .Eller peaked in the Reds' pennant-winning 1919 season...

, 67, pitcher for the Reds from 1917–1921, including a 1919 World Series game which saw him strike out 6 in a row
August 3 – Thomas Edward Downey
Thomas Edward Downey
Thomas Edward Downey was a major league baseball player. Born in Lewiston, Maine, Downey played on several baseball teams after his first professional appearance at age 25 on May 7, 1909...

, 77, played from 1909 to 1915 for the Reds, Phillies, Cubs, and Bisons.
September 9 – Jesse Barnes, 69, pitcher who won 152 games for the Braves, Giants and Dodgers, including a no-hitter
September 9 – Rube Oldring
Rube Oldring
Reuben Henry "Rube" Oldring , was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1905 to 1918. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Yankees....

, 77, outfielder who played mainly for the Athletics, including 4 pennant winners
October 21 – Harry Gleason
Harry Gleason
Harry Gilbert Gleason was a utility infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1901 through 1905 for the Boston Americans and St. Louis Browns . Listed at 5' 6", 160 lb., Gleason batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Camden, New Jersey...

, 86, infielder/outfielder who played from 1901 through 1905 for the Boston Americans and St. Louis Browns
December 15 – Dummy Hoy
Dummy Hoy
William Ellsworth Hoy , nicknamed "Dummy," was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds and two Washington, D.C...

, 99, center fielder who scored over 100 runs nine times, and the game's most accomplished deaf player; he threw out the first ball of the 1961 World Series' third game on October 7