Willie Mays contract

Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 31, 1962, San Francisco Giants star Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball, reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season. Mays will earn every penny in 1962, when he bats .304 with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs and helps the Giants to the National League pennant. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe to This Day In…

1962 – The New York Mets sign Gil Hodges for $33,000. The veteran first baseman had been languishing on the Dodgers’ bench for the past two seasons.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1962 – The New York Mets sign Gil Hodges for $33,000. The veteran first baseman had been languishing on the Dodgers’ bench for the past two seasons.

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1962 – Manager Harry Craft and General Manager Paul Richards begin the first winter publicity caravan in team history, starting in Victoria. The team has had one every year since then, touring cities throughout Texas and Louisiana. Among the other travelers are infielders Norm Larker, Bob Aspromonte, Don Buddin and Joey Amalfitano and broadcaster Gene Elston. This year’s tour also makes a stop in Monterrey, Mexico.

ByTom

1962 – Manager Harry Craft and General Manager Paul Richards begin the first winter publicity caravan in team history, starting in Victoria. The team has had one every year since then, touring cities throughout Texas and Louisiana. Among the other travelers are infielders Norm Larker, Bob Aspromonte, Don Buddin and Joey Amalfitano and broadcaster Gene Elston. This year’s tour also makes a stop in Monterrey, Mexico.

Vintage 1966 Wire Photograph - Mickey Mantle & Roger Maris

New York Yankee stars Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle sign contracts to appear in the movie Safe at Home

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 26, 1962, New York Yankee stars Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle sign contracts to appear in the movie Safe at Home. The movie will star Maris and Mantle as themselves and feature cameos by Whitey Ford and Ralph Houk.@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

Southern Association announces that it is suspending operations

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 24, 1962, the Southern Association announces that it is suspending operations. Plagued by dwindling attendance, the league lost franchises in Memphis and New Orleans during the past two seasons. Its refusal to accept integration is also a cause of its demise. With the exception of 27 year-old outfielder Nat Peeples, who became the…

Lawyer Melvin Belli wins a breach-of-warranty suit against the San Francisco Giants on the grounds that his box seat at Candlestick Park is too cold. Belli’s suit contends that the seat he bought in 1960, at the cost of $1,597, was supposed to have radiant heating.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Lawyer Melvin Belli wins a breach-of-warranty suit against the San Francisco Giants on the grounds that his box seat at Candlestick Park is too cold. Belli’s suit contends that the seat he bought in 1960, at the cost of $1,597, was supposed to have radiant heating.

Jackie Jensen

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Jensen announces his retirement

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On January 22, 1962, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Jensen announces his retirement – this time for good. Jensen had retired several times before, only to return as an active player. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links   [et_pb_signup provider=”getresponse” getresponse_list=”Thomas Hannon|zs45L” success_action=”redirect” success_redirect_url=”https://thisdayinbaseball.com/join-the-community/” success_redirect_query=”on|off|off|off|off” title=”Baseball history from Doubleday to Present Day” button_text=”Join us!”…