1961 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1961 1961 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 10 – October 1, 1961 (AL) April 11 – October 1, 1961 (NL)World Series: October 4–9, 1961 162 (AL)154 (NL) 18 total:10 (AL)8 (NL) NBC, CBS, ABC Regular season AL: Roger Maris (NYY)NL: Frank Robinson (CIN) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL New York Yankees Detroit Tigers NL Cincinnati Reds Los Angeles Dodgers World Series 1961 World Series New York Yankees Cincinnati Reds Whitey Ford (NYY) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1960 Major League Baseball season 1960 1962 Major League Baseball season 1962 The 1961 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1961. The regular season ended on October 1, with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 58th World Series on October 4 and ended with Game 5 on October 9. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup, the Yankees defeated the Reds, four games to one, capturing their 19th championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1958. The season is best known for Yankee teammates Roger Maris' and Mickey Mantle's pursuit of Babe Ruth's prestigious 34-year-old single-season home run record of 60. Maris ultimately broke the record when he hit his 61st home run on the final day of the regular season, while Mantle was forced out of the lineup in late September due to a hip infection and finished with 54 home runs. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Pittsburgh Pirates from the 1960 season. For the third year, there were two separate All-Star Games played. The first, the 30th All-Star Game, was held on July 11 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, home of the San Francisco Giants. The National League won, 5–4. The second, the 31st All-Star Game, was held on July 31 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, home of the Boston Red Sox. The game ended in a 1–1 tie, due to a rainout following the end of the ninth inning. In response to the proposed Continental League, the American League expanded by two teams in the first MLB expansion since 1901, ushering in the expansion era. The original Washington Senators moved to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins, being the sixth team since 1953 to relocate, and the third of American League teams since then. The American League therefore placed a new team in Washington, D.C., also called the Washington Senators. Also, the American League placed a team in Los Angeles called the Los Angeles Angels. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1961 schedule was the first time that the American and National Leagues did not follow the same scheduling format. Due to expansion of the American League, the AL schedule consisted of 162 games for all 10 teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams. Meanwhile, the National League, still consisting of eight teams, continued the 154-game format in place since the 1904 season (except for 1919). Each team was scheduled to play 22 games against the other seven teams. 1961 would mark the last 154-game season in professional baseball history, as the National League itself would copy the American League 162-game format following their own expansion the following season. American League Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring the Chicago White Sox and newly enfranchised Washington Senators, while National League Opening Day took place the following day, featuring all eight teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, and saw sixteen teams play. The World Series took place between October 4 and October 9. Rule changes The 1961 season saw the following rule changes: A sacrifice fly is no longer limited to fair balls.Rules History https://www.retrosheet.org/rules/rules.htm 2025-07-17 www.retrosheet.org A rule preventing leagues of all levels of major and minor league baseball from drafting college players during a school year was implemented.Henry Alan P. Kritzler David 1960 Winter Meetings: The Missouri Compromise – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1960-winter-meetings-the-missouri-compromise/ 2025-07-15 en-US Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1961 Major League Baseball Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1961-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium49,375Paul Richards baseballLum HarrisBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,357Pinky HigginsChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park46,550Al LópezCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Jimmy DykesMel HarderDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium52,904Bob ScheffingKansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Joe GordonHank BauerLos Angeles AngelsLos Angeles, CaliforniaWrigley Field (Los Angeles)20,457Bill RigneyMinnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium30,022Cookie LavagettoSam MeleNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,337Ralph HoukWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium27,500Mickey VernonNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field (Chicago)36,755College of CoachesCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,322Fred HutchinsonLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum94,600Walter AlstonMilwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768Chuck DressenBirdie TebbettsPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Gene MauchPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500Danny MurtaughSan Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,553Alvin DarkSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500Solly HemusJohnny Keane Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League Cincinnati Reds end Tie games 7 tie games (4 in AL, 3 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. start American League The Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, and New York Yankees had one each. April 22 (game 2), Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees, tied at 5 after a shortened seven innings on account of rain, following a 32 minute rain delay.Retrosheet Boxscore: Baltimore Orioles 5, New York Yankees 5 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B04222BAL1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org June 1, Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Athletics, tied at 4 after a shortened eight innings on account of rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Detroit Tigers 4, Kansas City Athletics 4 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B06010DET1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org June 8 (game 2), Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels, tied at 4 after 11 innings due to rain following a 51 minute rain delay. Game called at 1:18 a.m.Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 4, Los Angeles Angels 4 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B06082BOS1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org September 5, Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, tied at 3 after nine innings due to fog.Retrosheet Boxscore: Minnesota Twins 3, Chicago White Sox 3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B09050MIN1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org break National League The Chicago Cubs had two tie games. The Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals had one each. June 6 (game 2), St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs, tied at 3 after 10 innings on account of 12:50 a.m. curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: St. Louis Cardinals 3, Chicago Cubs 3 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B06062SLN1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org June 28, Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants, tied at 7 after 15 innings on account of 12:50 a.m. curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: Philadelphia Phillies 7, San Francisco Giants 7 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B06280PHI1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org August 2 (game 2), Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Braves, tied at 7 after 11 innings on account of darkness. Game rescheduled to September 3.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago Cubs 7, Milwaukee Braves 7 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B08022CHN1961.htm 2026-04-30 www.retrosheet.org end Postseason The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 9 with the New York Yankees defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series in five games. Bracket World Series AL New York Yankees 4 NL Cincinnati Reds 1 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsLou BoudreauCollege of CoachesDetroit TigersJoe GordonBob ScheffingKansas City AthleticsBob ElliottJoe GordonLos Angeles AngelsTeam enfranchisedBill RigneyNew York YankeesCasey StengelRalph HoukSan Francisco GiantsTom SheehanAlvin DarkWashington SenatorsTeam enfranchisedMickey Vernon In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore Orioles Paul RichardsLum HarrisCleveland Indians Jimmy DykesMel HarderKansas City Athletics Joe GordonHank BauerMilwaukee BravesChuck DressenBirdie TebbettsMinnesota TwinsCookie LavagettoSam MeleSt. Louis CardinalsSolly HemusJohnny Keane League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1961 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1961-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Norm Cash (DET) .361 OPS Norm Cash (DET) 1.148 HR Roger Maris (NYY) 61 RBI Jim Gentile (BAL)Roger Maris (NYY) 141 R Roger Maris (NYY) 132 H Norm Cash (DET) 193 SB Luis Aparicio (CWS) 53 break + Pitching leaders1961 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1961-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Whitey Ford (NYY) 25 L Pedro Ramos (MIN) 20 ERA Dick Donovan (WAS) 2.40 K Camilo Pascual (MIN) 221 IP Whitey Ford (NYY) 283.0 SV Luis Arroyo (NYY) 29 WHIP Dick Donovan (WAS) 1.026 end National League start + Hitting leaders1961 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1961-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .351 OPS Frank Robinson (CIN) 1.015 HR Orlando Cepeda (SF) 46 RBI Orlando Cepeda (SF) 142 R Willie Mays (SF) 129 H Vada Pinson (CIN) 208 SB Maury Wills (LAD) 35 break + Pitching leaders1961 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1961-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Joey Jay (CIN)Warren Spahn (MIL) 21 L Bob Friend (PIT)Art Mahaffey (PHI) 19 ERA Warren Spahn (MIL) 3.02 K Sandy Koufax (LAD) 269 IP Lew Burdette (MIL) 272.1 SV Roy Face (PIT)Stu Miller (SF) 17 WHIP Warren Spahn (MIL) 1.142 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders Willie Mays (SF): Became the ninth player to hit four home runs in one game in a 14–4 win against the Milwaukee Braves on April 30.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196104300.shtml San Francisco Giants vs Milwaukee Braves Box Score: April 30, 1961 March 13, 2026 Baseball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20260220010846/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196104300.shtml February 20, 2026 livehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XeogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q28FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3714,162355&dq=willie-mays&hl=en Giants' Slugging Sets or Ties a Flock of Records Reichler Joe May 1, 1961 The Hour Associated Press 14 September 9, 2010 November 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211129061159/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XeogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q28FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3714%2C162355&dq=willie-mays&hl=en live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Ken Boyer (STL): Boyer hit for his first cycle and 12th in franchise history, in game two of a doubleheader on September 14 against the Chicago Cubs.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B09142SLN1961.htm St. Louis Cardinals 6, Chicago Cubs 5 (2) September 14, 1961 Retrosheet.org September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132719/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1961/B09142SLN1961.htm live Other batting accomplishments Jim Gentile (BAL): Became the fourth player to hit two grand slams in a single game, in a 13–5 win over the Minnesota Twins on May 9.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196105090.shtml May 9, 1961 Baltimore Orioles at Minnesota Twins Play by Play and Box Score Baseball-Reference.com Sports Reference LLC May 9, 1961 July 10, 2012 May 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210502193508/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196105090.shtml live Eddie Mathews / Hank Aaron / Joe Adcock / Frank Thomas (MIL): Became the first group of players to hit four consecutive home runs in the seventh inning on June 8 against the Cincinnati Reds.Eagle Ed Teams that have hit four straight home runs https://www.mlb.com/news/four-straight-home-runs-in-a-game-c268169128 2026-04-30 MLB.com en Roger Maris (NYY): Tied an American League record by becoming the fourth player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between August 11 and 16.Eagle Ed Most consecutive games with a home run https://www.mlb.com/news/consecutive-home-run-games-c265322182 2026-04-28 MLB.com en Set a Major League record for single-season home runs at 61 on the last day of the season on October 1, breaking Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league single-season record of 60, set in 1927. Maris' record would stand for 37 years until it was broken by Mark McGwire's 70 in 1998. Maris' American League record would stand for a total of 61 years until it was eclipsed by Aaron Judge's 62 in 2022. Orlando Cepeda / Felipe Alou / Jim Davenport / Willie Mays / John Orsino (SF): Become the third group of players in Major League history to hit five home runs in one inning in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on August 23.Most home runs hit by a team in one inning of a Major League Baseball (MLB) game https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/500678-most-home-runs-hit-by-a-team-in-one-inning-of-a-major-league-baseball-mlb-game#:~:text=The%20Major%20League%20Baseball%20(MLB),recently%20by%20Houston%20Astros%20batters 2026-05-07 Guinness World RecordsSan Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: August 23, 1961 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196108230.shtml 2026-05-07 Baseball-Reference.com en Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Warren Spahn (MIL): Spahn threw his second career no-hitter and 11th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the San Francisco Giants 1–0 on April 28. Wilson walked two and struck out five.San Francisco Giants vs Milwaukee Braves Box Score: April 28, 1961 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196104280.shtml 2026-04-30 Baseball-Reference.com en Other pitching accomplishments Warren Spahn (MIL): Became the 13th member of the 300-win club, defeating the Chicago Cubs on August 11, winning 2–1.Randhawa Manny 300-game winners in MLB history https://www.mlb.com/news/300-win-pitchers-c271491170 2020-05-10 2026-03-09 MLB.com en Miscellaneous Philadelphia Phillies: Lost their 23rd consecutive game in game one of a doubleheader on August 20 to the Milwaukee Braves, breaking the modern (1901–present) major league record for most consecutive losses that was set by the Boston Americans in 1906 and Philadelphia Athletics in both 1916 and 1943. Lost their 20th consecutive game on August 17 to the Milwaukee Braves, breaking the modern National League record for most consecutive losses that was set by the Boston Beaneaters in 1906. Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Billy Williams (CHC) Don Schwall (BOS)Cy Young Award — Whitey Ford (NYY)Most Valuable Player Frank Robinson (CIN) Roger Maris (NYY)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Whitey Ford (NYY)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher Bobby Shantz (PIT) Frank Lary (DET)Catcher John Roseboro (LAD) Earl Battey (MIN)1st Base Bill White (STL) Vic Power (CLE)2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Richardson (NYY)3rd Base Ken Boyer (STL) Brooks Robinson (BAL)Shortstop Maury Wills (LAD) Luis Aparicio (CWS)Outfield Vada Pinson (CIN) Jim Landis (CWS) Roberto Clemente (PIT) Al Kaline (DET) Willie Mays (SF) Jimmy Piersall (CLE) Other awards Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Whitey Ford (NYY) The Sporting News AwardsAwardNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePlayer of the YearMajor League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com — Roger Maris (NYY)Pitcher of the YearPitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snpy2.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com Warren Spahn (MIL) Whitey Ford (NYY)Fireman of the YearFireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snfi.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com(Relief pitcher) Stu Miller (SF) Luis Arroyo (NYY)Rookie of the YearRookie of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp3.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com(Player) Billy Williams (CHC) Dick Howser (KCA)Rookie of the Year(Pitcher) Ken Hunt (CIN) Don Schwall (BOS)Manager of the YearManager of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmy.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com — Ralph Houk (NYY)Executive of the YearMLB Executive of the Year Award Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_sney.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com — Dan Topping (NYY) Monthly awards Player of the Month Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award Month National League May Joey Jay (CIN) June George Altman (CHC) July Frank Robinson (CIN) August Warren Spahn (MIL) September Jim O'Toole (CIN) Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Max Carey Billy Hamilton 1961 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameLos Angeles Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com898.5%1,804,250 −19.9%23,432New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com10912.4%1,747,7257.4%21,577Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com10142.3%1,600,71037.1%19,521San Francisco Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com857.6%1,390,679 −22.5%18,061Minnesota Twinshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com70 −4.1%1,256,72369.0%15,515Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com75 −21.1%1,199,128 −29.7%15,573Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com86 −1.1%1,146,019 −30.3%14,148Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9338.8%1,117,60368.4%14,514Milwaukee Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com83 −5.7%1,101,441 −26.5%14,304Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com956.7%951,089 −19.9%11,599St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com80 −7.0%855,305 −22.0%10,965Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7616.9%850,589 −24.7%10,373Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com782.6%725,547 −23.7%8,957Kansas City Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com615.2%683,817 −11.8%8,548Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com646.7%673,057 −16.9%8,629Los Angeles Angelshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/attend.shtml Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com70603,5107,360Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/attend.shtml Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com61597,2877,561Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com47 −20.3%590,039 −31.6%7,565 Venues The 1961 season saw two new teams in the American League, and with it, one new venue and one returning venue: The Los Angeles Angels played their first and only season at Wrigley Field. Their final game was on October 1 against the Cleveland Indians, moving into Dodger Stadium (referred to as "Chavez Ravine Stadium" when the Angels played) for the start of the 1962 season. The Washington Senators played their first and only season at Griffith Stadium, the longtime home of the original AL Washington Senators. Their final game was on September 21 against the Minnesota Twins, moving into District of Columbia Stadium for the start of the 1962 season. The Minnesota Twins, newly relocated from their long-time home in Washington, D.C. as the Washington Senators, leave Griffith Stadium after playing there for 50 seasons, moving into Metropolitan Stadium where they would play for 21 seasons through 1981. Briggs Stadium, home of the Detroit Tigers, is renamed to Tiger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers would play their final game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20 against the Chicago Cubs, moving into Dodger Stadium for the start of the 1962 season. Media Television CBS and NBC continued to air weekend Game of the Week broadcasts, while ABC televised several games in prime time. One of ABC's prime time games occurred as Roger MarisNETWORKS PLAN WIDE U.N. REPORT September 19, 1961 Val Adams New York Times 71ABC-TV to Film Tilt 154 September 19, 1961 Daytona Beach Morning Journal Associated Press was poised to tie and subsequently break Babe Ruth's regular season home run record of 60. As with all MLB games in those days, the action was totally blacked outABC Lands a 3-Sport TV Contract March 27, 1960 The Milwaukee Sentinel 2T of major league markets. As a matter of fact, as documented in the HBO film 61*, the Maris family was welcomed into ABC's Kansas City, Missouri affiliate KMBC-TV so they could watch the in-house feed of the game, which was blacked out of Kansas City. The All-Star Game and World Series aired on NBC. See also 1961 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1961 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1961 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1961 in baseball