On February 16, 1961, Hall of Famer Clarence “Dazzy” Vance dies at the age of 69. Vance went 197-140 over a 16-year career. Vance led the National League in wins in 1924 and ’25 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1961 – Charlie Finley purchases the outstanding 48 percent of the Athletics stock to become their sole owner.
Feb. 11, 1961 – The 39 homers and 124 RBIs driven in last year by Eddie Mathews (pictured between Hank Aaron and Joe Adcock) paid off today for the hard-hitting third baseman of the Milwaukee Braves. Mathews signed his 1961 contract for $60,000. The 29-year-old slugger was the runner-up to teammate Hank Aaron for National…
1961 – Willie Mays signs for $85,000, currently the biggest contract in Major League Baseball.
1961 – Houston Sports Association announces an agreement with Apache Junction, AZ for spring training facilities beginning the following season. Geronimo Park, in the shadow of Superstition Mountain, serves as the spring home of the Colt .45s in their first two seasons and is remembered best for its desolation and rumored curses.
Charlie Finley douses an old school bus bearing the sign “the Kansas City-to-New York shuttle” with gasoline and sets it on fire in the left field parking lot of Municipal Stadium. As the vehicle becomes engulfed in flames, the new owner of the A’s tells reporters the stunt symbolizes the end of the team sending talented young players to the Yankees in exchange for major leaguers well past their prime, a practice deeply resented by the Kansas City fans.
Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium, removing the last hurdle to gaining a major league franchise for the Texas city. The Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, will be the result of today’s approval and will serve as the Astros’ home from 1965-1999.
1961 – Billy Hamilton and Max Carey are selected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
1961 – The International League Board of Directors votes to move the Montreal franchise to Syracuse, NY.
1961 – The Cincinnati Reds send Joe Nuxhall to the Kansas City Athletics for pitchers John Tsitouris and John Briggs. Nuxhall first pitched for the Reds in 1944, when he was 15 years old.
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