Roberto Clemente accepts Pittsburgh’s annual “Dapper Dan Award”

Roberto Clemente accepts Pittsburgh’s annual “Dapper Dan Award”

ByTom

1962 – Roberto Clemente accepts Pittsburgh’s annual “Dapper Dan Award”, acknowledging both Pirate fans and fellow Pirates in the process. Les Biederman writes in The Sporting News: “Clemente, the Pirates’ National League batting champion, gave credit to the encouragement of the Pittsburgh fans for his feats in 1961 that earned him the Dapper Dan Award at the 26th annual banquet before more than 2,000 persons (all male) at the Hilton Hotel. The Puerto Rican, who climaxed his greatest season in the majors with a .351 batting average, accepted the plaque from Dapper Dan President Al Abrams, sports editor of the sponsoring Post Gazette, and responded to a standing ovation with a moving and sincere speech. ‘Without the fans’ encouragement here, I never could win this award,’ Clemente told the hushed crowd. ‘This award belongs to the fans and my teammates as much as it does to me.'”

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.

|

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…