The Angels win their 70th and final game of the season when they defeat Cleveland at L.A.’s Wrigley Field, 11-6. The seventy victories are the most games ever won by an expansion team in their first year of existence.

The Angels win their 70th and final game of the season when they defeat Cleveland at L.A.’s Wrigley Field, 11-6. The seventy victories are the most games ever won by an expansion team in their first year of existence.

Whitey Ford goes six innings for the victory in the Yankees’ 2-1 win over the Red Sox to finish the season with a 25-4 record. ‘Slick’ hurls 283 innings during the campaign without allowing a stolen base.

Whitey Ford goes six innings for the victory in the Yankees’ 2-1 win over the Red Sox to finish the season with a 25-4 record. ‘Slick’ hurls 283 innings during the campaign without allowing a stolen base.

Johnny Blanchard singles in the ninth, plating Roger Maris to give the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Red Sox. The super-sub, playing right field today, hit his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning off Boston’s complete-game loser Bill Monbouquette, accounting for New York’s other run.

Johnny Blanchard singles in the ninth, plating Roger Maris to give the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Red Sox. The super-sub, playing right field today, hit his 21st home run of the season in the fourth inning off Boston’s complete-game loser Bill Monbouquette, accounting for New York’s other run.

In front of only 1,717 fans at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, Bob Sprout appears in his only major league game. The Angels starter, who once struck out 22 batters in a seven-inning no-hitter in the minor leagues, starts against the Senators, allowing four hits and two runs in four innings, and has no role in the decision of his team’s 8-6 victory over Washington.

In front of only 1,717 fans at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, Bob Sprout appears in his only major league game. The Angels starter, who once struck out 22 batters in a seven-inning no-hitter in the minor leagues, starts against the Senators, allowing four hits and two runs in four innings, and has no role in the decision of his team’s 8-6 victory over Washington.

Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax sets a National League record for strikeouts in a season: 269

1961 – Sandy Koufax (18-13) fans seven Phils in the course of a 2 – 1 loss to set a National League record for strikeouts in a season: 269. This surpasses Christy Mathewson’s 267 in 1963, which was accomplished in 367 innings pitched, as opposed to Koufax’s remarkable 255. Both runs off Sandy are unearned.

The Reds, with an 8-3 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, clinch their first National League pennant since 1940. Cincinnati will lose the World Series to the Yankees, 4 games to 1.

The Reds, with an 8-3 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, clinch their first National League pennant since 1940. Cincinnati will lose the World Series to the Yankees, 4 games to 1.

Cincinnati clinches its first National League pennant since 1940. Homers by Frank Robinson and pinch hitter Jerry Lynch, a tie-breaker in the 8th, give the Reds a 6 – 3 win at Chicago.

Cincinnati clinches its first National League pennant since 1940. Homers by Frank Robinson and pinch hitter Jerry Lynch, a tie-breaker in the 8th, give the Reds a 6 – 3 win at Chicago.

roger-maris---baseballs-reluctant-hero

Roger Maris of the New York Yankees ties Babe Ruth for most home runs in one season

  On September 26, 1961 — At Yankee Stadium, with fewer than 20,000 fans in attendance, during a 3-2 Yankee win over the Baltimore Orioles, in the bottom of the 3rd inning Roger Maris ties Babe Ruth’s 34 year-old single-season record with his 60th home run of the year, a high drive down the right-field…

A dropped fly ball by Ken Hunt in the 10th gives the Tigers two runs and a 7 – 5 win over the Angels. Hunt had tied the game in the 8th with a home run. Rookie Howie Koplitz wins his first major league game, after going 23-3 with a no-hitter for Birmingham (Southern Association). Koplitz will win his first seven decisions in the Bigs over four years but an arm injury will limit him to a 9-7 record.

A dropped fly ball by Ken Hunt in the 10th gives the Tigers two runs and a 7 – 5 win over the Angels. Hunt had tied the game in the 8th with a home run. Rookie Howie Koplitz wins his first major league game, after going 23-3 with a no-hitter for Birmingham (Southern Association). Koplitz will win his first seven decisions in the Bigs over four years but an arm injury will limit him to a 9-7 record.

At Cincinnati, the Giants stage a 9-run 4th to rip the Reds, 12 – 5. Orlando Cepeda hits his 45th homer of the year, a grand slam, to climax the frame. Cepeda will hit one more home run this year and finish with 39 walks, the first National League player with more than 40 homers and fewer than 40 walks. Hal Trosky has done it in the American League.

At Cincinnati, the Giants stage a 9-run 4th to rip the Reds, 12 – 5. Orlando Cepeda hits his 45th homer of the year, a grand slam, to climax the frame. Cepeda will hit one more home run this year and finish with 39 walks, the first National League player with more than 40 homers and fewer than 40 walks. Hal Trosky has done it in the American League.