Carroll Hardy of the Boston Red Sox becomes the only player to pinch-hit for both Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski

Carroll Hardy of the Boston Red Sox becomes the only player to pinch-hit for both Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 31, 1961, Carroll Hardy of the Boston Red Sox becomes the only player to pinch-hit for both Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. Subbing for Yaz in the eighth inning, Hardy lays down a bunt single during a 7-6 loss to the New York Yankees.  

tape measure two-baggers from Roberto Clemente and Dick Stuart provide all the support Pittsburgh starter Joe Gibbon needs in his complete game victory over the Milwaukee Braves

tape measure two-baggers from Roberto Clemente and Dick Stuart provide all the support Pittsburgh starter Joe Gibbon needs in his complete game victory over the Milwaukee Braves

ByThis Day in Baseball

A bunt single by Dick Groat and a pair of tape measure two-baggers from Roberto Clemente and Dick Stuart provide all the support Pittsburgh starter Joe Gibbon needs in his complete game victory over the Milwaukee Braves. The Bucs batter the Braves, 9 – 1, and 9 doubles to none. Future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron keeps the Braves from being shut out with a home run, which carries, according to Pirate beat writer Les Biederman, “over the left-field fence on a low line as though shot out of a rifle.” Biederman adds that Pittsburgh’s opening-round moon shots target a couple of familiar Forbes Field landmarks: Clemente’s two-bagger is hit to the warning track at the 436-foot sign, while Stuart’s two-run double goes to the light tower in right center.

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Bill Skowron each hit two home runs to lead the New York Yankees to a 12 – 3 rout of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Yogi Berra also homers for New York. Ralph Terry is the winning pitcher, Gene Conley the loser.

ByBaseball

Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Bill Skowron each hit two home runs to lead the New York Yankees to a 12 – 3 rout of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Yogi Berra also homers for New York. Ralph Terry is the winning pitcher, Gene Conley the loser.

At Fenway Park‚ Ike Delock outduels Whitey Ford to beat the Yankees‚ 2 – 1. New York’s scoring is Mickey Mantle’s first homer in two weeks.

ByBaseball

At Fenway Park‚ Ike Delock outduels Whitey Ford to beat the Yankees‚ 2 – 1. New York’s scoring is Mickey Mantle’s first homer in two weeks.

At Chicago‚ Ernie Banks makes his debut in left field and goes 1 for 4 with no errors. But the Cubs lose‚ 2 – 1‚ in 10 innings to the Phillies.

ByBaseball

At Chicago‚ Ernie Banks makes his debut in left field and goes 1 for 4 with no errors. But the Cubs lose‚ 2 – 1‚ in 10 innings to the Phillies.

Norm Cash‚ Steve Boros‚ and Dick Brown hit consecutive homers for the Tigers in a 5 – 2 win over Minnesota.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Norm Cash‚ Steve Boros‚ and Dick Brown hit consecutive homers for the Tigers in a 5 – 2 win over Minnesota.

 Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryne Duren posts four strikeouts in the 7th inning against the Chicago White Sox. He strikes out Minnie Miñoso, Roy Sievers, J.C. Martin, and Sammy Esposito to tie a major league record, in the 6 – 4 loss to the White Sox.

ByThis Day in Baseball

 Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryne Duren posts four strikeouts in the 7th inning against the Chicago White Sox. He strikes out Minnie Miñoso, Roy Sievers, J.C. Martin, and Sammy Esposito to tie a major league record, in the 6 – 4 loss to the White Sox.

Roger Maris hits his first home run of the season at Yankee Stadium (and fourth overall) on his way to a major league season-record 61.

ByBaseball

Roger Maris hits his first home run of the season at Yankee Stadium (and fourth overall) on his way to a major league season-record 61.

The American Basketball League’s Cleveland Pipers, owned by George Steinbrenner, hire John McLendon, Jr. as the franchise’s head coach, making him the first African American to be named to a top leadership position in any major professional sport. The well-respected college coach, leaving the post midway through the 1961-62 ABL season, will become the first of many of the future Yankee owner’s employees to resign over the years due to interference from the front office.

ByTom

The American Basketball League’s Cleveland Pipers, owned by George Steinbrenner, hire John McLendon, Jr. as the franchise’s head coach, making him the first African American to be named to a top leadership position in any major professional sport. The well-respected college coach, leaving the post midway through the 1961-62 ABL season, will become the first of many of the future Yankee owner’s employees to resign over the years due to interference from the front office.

Teammates Felipe and Matty Alou both homer in the Giants’ 14-1 victory over Chicago at Candlestick Park. Felipe’s grand slam in the first inning scores the first four runs of the game, and his younger brother’s puts on the finishing touch of the rout with an eighth-inning round-tripper.

ByTom

Teammates Felipe and Matty Alou both homer in the Giants’ 14-1 victory over Chicago at Candlestick Park. Felipe’s grand slam in the first inning scores the first four runs of the game, and his younger brother’s puts on the finishing touch of the rout with an eighth-inning round-tripper.