1961 World Series Yankees vs Reds

THE AMAZING WHITEY FORD

The 1961 World Series lasted only five games, with the Yanks taking home the prize on October 9, 1961, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. This was the Yankee team of Mantle, Maris, Berra and Ford. This was the year that major league baseball extended the season from 154 to 162 games, and thus the asterisk that would be attached to Roger Maris' 61-home run season, (asterisk removed from record books in 1991, but not from the memories of Babe Ruth fans).

The 1961 Yankees dominated the American League, winning 109 games, and took down the Reds in five games. I was an 8th grader that year, putting my money on the Yankees because, like so many other young teenage boys, I was a fan of those Yankees who always seemed to come from behind and win. I was a fan of the M & M boys, as the press had dubbed Mantle and Maris. Mostly though, I was a fan of Whitey Ford, a lefty like me, slightly built like me at 5-10 and 180, and quietly efficient. Ford won two games for the Yankees and was named MVP of the Series. He also threw 14 scoreless innings and broke the Babe's record for consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play.

I don't understand why the major league baseball season has to last so long. It must be the money. Playoffs add so many days to the season that we end up watching the World Series in late October, in weather that is often so cold and blustery that it takes away from the game, from the performances of the athletes.

Baseball is a warm weather sport. And a dry weather sport. That 1961 World Series ended on October 9th. Here we are, October 18, the ALCS and NLCS are just getting underway. Of the Yankees, Angels, Phils and Dodgers, two are warm weather cities. Citizen's Bank Park in Philly is beautiful and only five years old, but Philly in October can be COLD! Yankee Stadium is brand new, and a showcase for the game, but New York in October? I'll pass. I saw Kate Hudson all bundled up in the stands. Pass.

Baseball is hot dogs, peanuts, crackerjacks and beer. I love baseball on a hot day, or even a hot evening in Los Angeles. Would anyone want an all-Los Angeles Series?

First World Series Memory - 1960 - Yanks vs Pirates

I was already a "betting man" by the time I was in 7th grade, so my money in this Series was on the Yankees.

I never thought they could lose to the Pirates. The Yanks had all the big names: Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Tony Kubek, Roger Maris, etc. The Pirates? They had Roberto Clemente, Bill Virdon, Harvey Haddix, and of course, a second baseman named Bill Mazeroski.

They say that Game 7 of the 1960 World Series may be the best ballgame every played. It was exciting, I remember that. Mazeroski put himself into the record books with that final homer that beat the Yanks. I lost my bet, but I still have the memories, 49 years later.

This is a link to the Baseball Almanac page on the 1960 World Series.