The Indians tie a major-league record with just 23 official at-bats as Chicago’s Herb Score pitches a two-hit, 4 – 2 win.
The Indians tie a major-league record with just 23 official at-bats as Chicago’s Herb Score pitches a two-hit, 4 – 2 win.
The Pirates’ most dangerous hitter, Roberto Clemente, leads his team to a 9 – 6 decision over San Francisco, going 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI, but his scariest shot comes before the game and travels about 60 feet. Les Biederman of The Sporting News reports: “Gino Cimoli can attest that Roberto Clemente hits the ball as hard as any batter in the league. Cimoli was pitching the final turn in batting practice before the night game with the Giants at Forbes Field when Clemente hit the last pitch before the Giants stepped into the cage. It was a liner that caught Cimoli on the left side below the heart and he went down in a heap. The Pirates outfielder walked off under his own steam. X-rays failed to reveal a fracture although Cimoli had a badly bruised side from the terrific impact of the ball.”
The Pirates’ most dangerous hitter, Roberto Clemente, leads his team to a 9 – 6 decision over San Francisco, going 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI, but his scariest shot comes before the game and travels about 60 feet. Les Biederman of The Sporting News reports: “Gino Cimoli can attest that Roberto Clemente hits the ball as hard as any batter in the league. Cimoli was pitching the final turn in batting practice before the night game with the Giants at Forbes Field when Clemente hit the last pitch before the Giants stepped into the cage. It was a liner that caught Cimoli on the left side below the heart and he went down in a heap. The Pirates outfielder walked off under his own steam. X-rays failed to reveal a fracture although Cimoli had a badly bruised side from the terrific impact of the ball.”
New York announces that it will be known as the Mets, short for Metropolitans
On May 8, 1961, The new National League entry in New York is officially named the “Mets.” Not Metropolitans, just Mets. At a ceremony at the Savoy Hilton, owner Joan Payson swings a bottle of champagne and, after three unsuccessful whacks, turns the job over to a waiter who uses a bottle opener. The “Mets” was the choice among the 10…
The Angels trade P Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for P Ryne Duren, P Johnny James and OF Lee Thomas. For Cerv, it is his third tour of duty in pinstripes.
The Angels trade P Tex Clevenger and OF Bob Cerv to the Yankees for P Ryne Duren, P Johnny James and OF Lee Thomas. For Cerv, it is his third tour of duty in pinstripes.
The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets.
The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. announces the New York National League franchise’s team nickname will be the Mets. Other names considered included the Avengers, Burros (a play on the word boroughs), Continentals, Islanders, Jets, Rebels, Skyliners, and the Meadowlarks, which was the first choice of owner Joan Payson.
5/6/1961: The Senators were rained out in Cleveland in the bottom of the second inning. In the first frame, the Tribe’s Woodie Held smashed a grand slam over the right field fence off Hal Woodeshick. The blow came with no one out. The Nats scored an unearned run in the second, leaving the score 4-1 at the time of the postponement.
5/6/1961: The Senators were rained out in Cleveland in the bottom of the second inning. In the first frame, the Tribe’s Woodie Held smashed a grand slam over the right field fence off Hal Woodeshick. The blow came with no one out. The Nats scored an unearned run in the second, leaving the score 4-1 at the time of the postponement.
Another brilliant Warren Spahn performance is spoiled when left fielder Mel Roach’s misplay costs the Milwaukee Braves’ ace a second no-hitter in a row. Spahn settles for a two-hitter in topping the Dodgers, 4 – 1.
Another brilliant Warren Spahn performance is spoiled when left fielder Mel Roach’s misplay costs the Milwaukee Braves’ ace a second no-hitter in a row. Spahn settles for a two-hitter in topping the Dodgers, 4 – 1.
The Toronto Maple Leafs play their home opener against the Jersey City Jerseys. Toronto outfielder Ellis Burton hits a two-run homer batting from the left side in the 8th inning – then hits a grand slam from the right side later in the frame. It is the first time in Organized Baseball history that a player has homered from both sides of the plate in one inning.
The Toronto Maple Leafs play their home opener against the Jersey City Jerseys. Toronto outfielder Ellis Burton hits a two-run homer batting from the left side in the 8th inning – then hits a grand slam from the right side later in the frame. It is the first time in Organized Baseball history that a player has homered from both sides of the plate in one inning.
Willie Mays 4 Home Run Game
On April 30, 1961, Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants hits four home runs against the Milwaukee Braves. Mays’ outburst helps the Giants to a 14-4 win. The future Hall of Fame outfielder becomes the ninth player in major league history to hit four homers in one game…The San Francisco slugger is left on…
Warren Spahn second oldest to fire no hitter
On April 28, 1961, 40-year-old Warren Spahn becomes the second oldest man to pitch a no-hitter in major league history. The Milwaukee Braves’ ace masters the San Francisco Giants, 1-0, for his 290th career win and second career no-hitter. Spahn strikes out nine batters and walks only two. Fellow Hall of Famer Hank Aaron drives in the game’s lone run with a single in the first inning.
