The Mets finish their inaugural season with 120 losses, a 20th-century record, when the team drops a 5-1 decision to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In his last career at-bat, New York catcher Joe Pignatano hits into an eighth-inning triple play with Richie Ashburn and Sammy Drake on base, both who are also appearing in their last major league game.

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The Mets finish their inaugural season with 120 losses, a 20th-century record, when the team drops a 5-1 decision to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In his last career at-bat, New York catcher Joe Pignatano hits into an eighth-inning triple play with Richie Ashburn and Sammy Drake on base, both who are also appearing in their last major league game.

At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle blasts his 30th home run of the season, a fourth inning solo shot off White Sox’s 20-game winner Ray Herbert, to extend his streak of having 30 or more round-trippers to eight seasons. The ‘Mick’, who missed a month of the campaign because of a leg injury, batted leadoff in the final series of the year to collect more at-bats.

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At Yankee Stadium, Mickey Mantle blasts his 30th home run of the season, a fourth inning solo shot off White Sox’s 20-game winner Ray Herbert, to extend his streak of having 30 or more round-trippers to eight seasons. The ‘Mick’, who missed a month of the campaign because of a leg injury, batted leadoff in the final series of the year to collect more at-bats.

Camilo Pascual draws a tough assignment in rookie John Miller, but beats the Orioles, 1 – 0, on three hits to earn his 20th win. Miller allows two hits to the Twins.

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Camilo Pascual draws a tough assignment in rookie John Miller, but beats the Orioles, 1 – 0, on three hits to earn his 20th win. Miller allows two hits to the Twins.

In the second of two games, Red Sox 1B Don Gile, hitting 1 for 40 on the year (his one hit came in game 1) breaks a 1 – 1 tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th off Washington’s Jack Jenkins. The homer comes in his last ML at bat and gives Bill Monbouquette the win, 3 – 1. The Yawkeymen lose the opener by the same score as Don Lock drives in all three runs.

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In the second of two games, Red Sox 1B Don Gile, hitting 1 for 40 on the year (his one hit came in game 1) breaks a 1 – 1 tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th off Washington’s Jack Jenkins. The homer comes in his last ML at bat and gives Bill Monbouquette the win, 3 – 1. The Yawkeymen lose the opener by the same score as Don Lock drives in all three runs.

P Bill Fischer of the Athletics concludes a major-league record string of 84 1/3 consecutive innings without allowing a base on balls, a record that tops Christy Mathewson’s mark. Fischer walks Bubba Morton on four straight pitches and loses a 6 – 1 decision to Detroit.

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P Bill Fischer of the Athletics concludes a major-league record string of 84 1/3 consecutive innings without allowing a base on balls, a record that tops Christy Mathewson’s mark. Fischer walks Bubba Morton on four straight pitches and loses a 6 – 1 decision to Detroit.

Willie Mays’ 47th home run, an 8th-inning blast off Dick Farrell (10-20), leads the Giants to a critical 2 – 1 win. They then stay in the clubhouse to hear results of the Dodger game.

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Willie Mays’ 47th home run, an 8th-inning blast off Dick Farrell (10-20), leads the Giants to a critical 2 – 1 win. They then stay in the clubhouse to hear results of the Dodger game.

With manager Mel McGaha fired for next season, Indians pitching coach Mel Harder guides the Tribe to a sweep of a twinbill of the Angels, winning 4 – 3 and 6 – 1. Harder, 1-0 last year, completes his managerial career at 3-0. McGaha, a guard with the 1948-49 NY Knickerbockers of the BAA, did not play major league baseball, but will come back to manage the A’s in 1964 and 1965.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With manager Mel McGaha fired for next season, Indians pitching coach Mel Harder guides the Tribe to a sweep of a twinbill of the Angels, winning 4 – 3 and 6 – 1. Harder, 1-0 last year, completes his managerial career at 3-0. McGaha, a guard with the 1948-49 NY Knickerbockers of the BAA, did not play major league baseball, but will come back to manage the A’s in 1964 and 1965.

Branch Rickey, returning to the Cardinals for the second time in his long career, is given the title of senior consultant for player development. In this role, the ‘Mahatma’ will have the power to make deals, but is asked by team owner Gussie Busch to confer with general manager Bing Devine on a regular basis.

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Branch Rickey, returning to the Cardinals for the second time in his long career, is given the title of senior consultant for player development. In this role, the ‘Mahatma’ will have the power to make deals, but is asked by team owner Gussie Busch to confer with general manager Bing Devine on a regular basis.

In front of only 595 fans at Wrigley Field, the Cubs (58-101) beat the Mets (39-118) in the first meeting in major league history between two 100-loss teams before the series begins. The New York expansion team will split the remaining two games in Chicago to finish the season 40-120, establishing the record for the most losses in baseball’s modern-era.

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In front of only 595 fans at Wrigley Field, the Cubs (58-101) beat the Mets (39-118) in the first meeting in major league history between two 100-loss teams before the series begins. The New York expansion team will split the remaining two games in Chicago to finish the season 40-120, establishing the record for the most losses in baseball’s modern-era.

The Dodgers’ hopes for clinching a tie for the pennant are dashed when Sandy Koufax, making his second start since returning to action, lasts just five innings against Houston. Reliever Ron Perranoski is the loser, 8 – 6.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Dodgers’ hopes for clinching a tie for the pennant are dashed when Sandy Koufax, making his second start since returning to action, lasts just five innings against Houston. Reliever Ron Perranoski is the loser, 8 – 6.