On November 20, 1962, Mickey Mantle collects his third American League MVP Award. Mantle, who hit .321 with 30 home runs, also led the AL in walks (122) and slugging percentage (.605), while helping the Yankees to a berth in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
Sale of the Cleveland Indians is completed as Bill Daley and Gabe Paul take control.
The Cardinals trade pitcher Don Cardwell and infielder Julio Gotay to the Pirates for shortstop Dick Groat and pitcher Diomedes Olivo. The Redbirds’ new infielder will become a central cog in the team’s World championship in 1964.
Lou Perini sells the Braves to the Chicago-based Lasalle Corporation, led by 34-year-old insurance broker William Bartholomay for $6.2 million. Team president John McHale, one of the primary stockholders in the purchase, will take the brunt of the wrath of the fanbase when the new ownership makes clear their intent to move the team out of Milwaukee.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale wins the 1962 Cy Young Award, outpolling Jack Sanford of the San Francisco Giants with 14 of 18 votes.
The White Sox release 299-game winner Early Wynn, enabling the veteran right-hander to make a deal with other clubs so he will have the opportunity to win his 300th game. Next July, at the age of 43, the future Hall of Famer will pitch the first five innings of a game for Cleveland, reaching the milestone when the Indians down the Kansas City A’s, 7-4.
His major league peers select Ken Hubbs as the recipient of the Gold Glove for his performance at second base. The 21 year-old Cubs infielder is the first rookie to be honored with the prestigious fielding award.
1962 – Answering rumors that senior consultant Branch Rickey wants Stan Musial to retire, St. Louis Cardinals owner August Busch says Musial will play until it is time to become a club vice president. Further, Bing Devine is still running the club.
1962 – Colt .45s sign 19-year-old infielder Joe Morgan as a free agent. Morgan relates in later years how few ballclubs were willing to give the 5-7 player a chance, deeming him too small to be a big-leaguer.
The Tigers begin an eighteen-game tour of Japan. Detroit and will compile a 12-4-2 record against their opponents from the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. During the trip, the two countries work out terms of player exchanges between the two nations, giving the commissioner of the respective league final approval of any transaction.
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