Mickey Mantle signs a 1962 contract for $82,000 becoming second highest paid Yankee in history
1961 – Mickey Mantle signs a 1962 contract for $82,000. Only Joe DiMaggio has been paid more by the Yankees.
The Mets purchase outfielder Richie Ashburn from the Cubs. The veteran outfielder, who will be the club’s first-ever representative on the National League’s All-Star team, will be given a boat after being named the Most Valuable Player of the last-place team, which unfortunately will sink before he uses it.
The Mets purchase outfielder Richie Ashburn from the Cubs. The veteran outfielder, who will be the club’s first-ever representative on the National League’s All-Star team, will be given a boat after being named the Most Valuable Player of the last-place team, which unfortunately will sink before he uses it.
1961 – Major league clubs vote to curb bonuses. All first-year players not on major league 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.
1961 – Major league clubs vote to curb bonuses. All first-year players not on major league 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.
The Colts obtain pitchers Bob Bruce and Manny Montejo from Detroit for pitcher “Toothpick” Sam Jones
1961 – The Colts obtain pitchers Bob Bruce and Manny Montejo from Detroit for pitcher “Toothpick” Sam Jones. Bruce compiles a 42-58 record and a 3.78 ERA in five seasons for Houston. Picked in the expansion draft from San Francisco, Jones, a two-time All-Star, pitches only spot duty in his remaining three big league seasons.
The White Sox trade pitchers Don Larsen and Billy Pierce to the Giants for pitchers Eddie Fisher, Dom Zanni, Verle Tiefenthaler and first baseman Bob Farley.
The White Sox trade pitchers Don Larsen and Billy Pierce to the Giants for pitchers Eddie Fisher, Dom Zanni, Verle Tiefenthaler and first baseman Bob Farley.
Cubs outfielder Billy Williams (.278, 25, 86) is selected as the 1961 National League Rookie of the Year.
Cubs outfielder Billy Williams (.278, 25, 86) is selected as the National League Rookie of the Year. Braves catcher Joe Torre and Cubs southpaw Jack Curtis also receive consideration for the honor.
The Milwaukee Braves trade slugger Frank Thomas to the New York Mets for a player to be named later (Gus Bell) and a reported $125,000.
The Milwaukee Braves trade slugger Frank Thomas to the New York Mets for a player to be named later (Gus Bell) and a reported $125,000.
The Philadelphia Phillies send pitcher John Buzhardt and infielder Charley Smith to the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Roy Sievers. The Sievers trade is announced by the Sox after the Joe Cunningham trade, as they don’t want to appear to need a first baseman.
The Philadelphia Phillies send pitcher John Buzhardt and infielder Charley Smith to the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Roy Sievers. The Sievers trade is announced by the Sox after the Joe Cunningham trade, as they don’t want to appear to need a first baseman.
Outfielders Mike White and Johnny Weekly are selected during the winter supplemental draft
1961 – Outfielders Mike White and Johnny Weekly are selected during the winter supplemental draft. White’s career year is 1964 when he bats .271 in 89 games for the Colts. He makes token appearances in 1963 and 1965, his only other two seasons in the majors.
Chicago White Sox trade outfielder Minnie Minoso to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Joe Cunningham.
On November 27, 1961, the Chicago White Sox trade outfielder Minnie Minoso to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Joe Cunningham. Minoso, had his last productive season in 1961 he batted .280 14 HR, with 82 RBIs and a .369 OBP for the White Sox, will slump to a .196 average in 1962. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@…