On July 18, 1961, Commissioner Ford Frick makes a controversial ruling in announcing that Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record cannot be considered broken unless it is accomplished in 154 or fewer games. Frick’s decision will result in two separate records: one for a 154-game season and one for a 162-game season. Pinterest Instagram Facebook…
* Mickey Mantle poles two homers off rookie Joe McClain to pace New York to a 5 – 3 win over the Senators. In pre-game ceremonies, Mantle teamed with New York Congressman Eddie Dooley to win the homer-hitting contest against other Congressional-player duos.
Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock and Joe Torre of the Braves startle the Reds with a triple steal in the 6th inning. For Aaron, it is his first steal of home.
In consecutive doubleheaders played at Busch Stadium, Cardinal first baseman Bill White ties Ty Cobb’s 49 year-old record by collecting 14 hits in four games when he goes 3-for-4 in both games of the sweep over the Cubs. The future NL president started the streak, ironically, on the day the Georgia Peach died, going 8-for-10 in yesterday’s twin bill, also against Chicago. (entry inspired by a question asked by J. Stevens)
The Yanks score five runs in the 3rd off Dick Stigman, and Whitey Ford coasts to a complete game 9 – 2 victory over the Indians.
The National League votes to expand to 10 clubs if the planned Continental League does not join Organized Baseball. The new NL clubs would invade CL territories.
1959 – The Tigers drop game one to the Orioles, 5 – 2, their 13th loss in 15 games, then win the nitecap, 2 – 0, despite getting just two hits off Hoyt Wilhelm. Hoyt allows two singles, but his knuckler proves elusive to Joe Ginsberg, who allows four passed balls to tie the American League record held by Gus Triandos and two others. O’s catchers Ginsberg and Triandos will set the modern major-league record for passed balls this season with 49.
Horace Stoneham says that the Giants will quit New York after the season. He says he has not heard anything more from San Francisco and that his move is not contingent on that of the Dodgers. He sees a new stadium or joint occupancy with the Yankees as the only solution that could convince the Giants to stay in New York.
Dodger slugger Gil Hodges hits his 12th career grand slam to tie the National League record of Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner, as the Dodgers edge the Cards, 10 – 9. St. Louis remains a game behind the Phils. The slam comes against the Cardinals’ Wilmer Mizell.
In what will later be revealed as false testimony, Kansas City A’s owner Arnold Johnson denies before the Celler committee that he had any ties to the Yankee ownership or has favored them in any trades.
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