1961 â A federal judge rules that Birmingham, Alabama laws against integrated playing fields are illegal, eliminating the last barrier against integration in the Southern Association. The circuit will choose to disband rather than abide the ruling and will be replaced in 1964 by the integrated Southern League.
Three thousand spectators witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the $18,000,000 Municipal Stadium in the Queenâs Flushing Meadow Park. The future home of the Mets, as well as the NFLâs Titans, is expected to ready for Opening Day in 1963, will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, the lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.
The Mets sign their first player with major league experience when the team inks free-agent Ted Lepico. The 32 year-old middle infielder, who compiled .245 batting average playing with five teams during his ten-year career, will be cut by the expansion team during spring training.
1961 â Colts purchase righthander Hal Woodeshick from the Detroit Tigers. A starter his first year in Houston, Woodeshick develops into a closer the next two seasons and makes the All-Star team in 1963.
The Yankees purchase Robin Roberts from the Philadelphia. The right-hander, who compiled a 234-199 record in 14 seasons with the Phillies, will be released in May without having appeared in a regular-season game for the Bronx Bombers.
1961 â An All-Star exhibition game is held at Busch Stadium (formerly Buff Stadium) in Houston as a prelude to major league play the next year. 5,600 fans turn out to see the National Leaguers triumph, 6-1, over the American League squad. Bill White of St. Louis rips a home run. Bob Aspromonte, one of the newly-drafted Houston players, also gets into the game.
1961Â â Houston makes their debut as a major league franchise through an Arizona instructional league team based in Scottsdale dubbed the âColt .22sâ.Â
1961 â The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft. Among the Colt selections are Bob Aspromonte and Dick Farrell (both from L.A.), Hal Smith and Roman Mejias (Pit.), Ken Johnson (Cin.), Al Spangler(Mil.) and Bob Lillis (St.L.). Houstonâs first pick is infielder Eddie Bressoud but he is traded before the inaugural season begins.
October 9, 1961 Wally Post is welcomed at home plate by Gordy Coleman (and the bat boy) after his 5th inning home run off of Bud Daley in game 5 of the 1961 World Series. Elston Howard watches. the Reds will lose 13-5 as the Yankees take the World Series Title in 5. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ SponsorâŠ
With the help of a pair of five-run innings at Crosley Field, the Yankees win the World Series, beating the Reds in Game 5, 13-5. Johnny Blanchard, a reserve player who will collect ten hits in 29 at-bats in five Fall Classics, hits two home runs and bats .400 en route to the Bronx Bombersâ 19th World Championship.
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