Skills Scorecard
Contact
D+
Power
A
Speed
D+
Durability
D+
Range
C-
Fielding
C
Career Timeline
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3 hours
Oct 3, 1964Oct 3, 1964
On Saturday, October 3, 1964, the New York Yankees hosted the Cleveland Indians at Yankee...
Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees - Clinch - Radio Broadcast / On Saturday, October 3, 1964, the New York Yankees hosted the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium in a day game that was a part of the final stretch of the regular season. The Yankees started the game with Al Downing on the mound, a left-handed pitcher who had been a key part of their rotation throughout the season. The Indians countered with Lee Stange, a right-hander who was looking to improve on a challenging season, as reflected in his 7-14 record. At this point in the season, the Yankees were in a tight race for the American League pennant, while the Indians were playing for pride, well out of contention for the postseason. The baseball world was abuzz with the tight pennant races, especially in the National League where the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds were locked in a fierce battle.
The game started with the Yankees taking an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a Mickey Mantle double that drove in Phil Linz and Bobby Richardson. The Indians managed to score a run in the top of the third on a single by Chico Salmon, but the Yankees responded in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own, extending their lead to 3-1. The Indians showed signs of a comeback in the sixth inning, scoring two runs to tighten the game at 3-3. However, the Yankees' offense proved too strong, exploding for five runs in the eighth inning to secure a commanding lead. Key contributions in this inning came from Mantle and Elston Howard, who both drew walks and later scored, while Joe Pepitone and Clete Boyer added crucial hits.
The final score was 8-3 in favor of the Yankees, a victory that played a significant role in their successful chase for the American League pennant. The 1964 season was a memorable one for the Yankees, as they won the AL pennant but eventually lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game World Series. Mickey Mantle, despite battling injuries, had a solid season, and the Yankees' roster was dotted with All-Stars, including Howard, who won the American League's Most Valuable Player award.
3½ hours
Sep 10, 1961Sep 10, 1961
In the midst of the 1961 baseball season, the New York Yankees faced...
Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees - Game 1 of DH - Radio Broadcast / In the midst of the 1961 baseball season, the New York Yankees faced off against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, September 10. The Yankees were in the midst of their legendary season, with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, known as the M&M Boys, chasing Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. Meanwhile, the Indians were a solid team trying to stay competitive in the American League. The starting pitchers were Whitey Ford for the Yankees and Barry Latman for the Indians. Ford was having a strong season, but this game would prove to be a challenge for him. Latman, on the other hand, was looking to hold back the powerful Yankee lineup.
The game started off with a bang as the Indians put up two runs in the first inning, with Johnny Romano and Willie Kirkland driving in runs. The Yankees, however, answered back in the second inning, plating six runs. The big blow was a two-run homer by Johnny Blanchard, and Whitey Ford himself drove in a run with a single. The Indians fought back in the third inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from Vic Power. The Yankees' relief pitcher, Jim Coates, then came in and settled things down, holding the Indians to just one run over the next six innings.
In the eighth inning, the Yankees managed to push across the go-ahead run, thanks to a pinch-hit single from Bob Cerv. Luis Arroyo then came in to close out the game in the ninth, securing a 7-6 victory for the Yankees. It was a hard-fought game, with both teams showing their offensive prowess.
The 1961 season is remembered as one of the most exciting in baseball history, largely due to the home run chase between Mantle and Maris. Ultimately, Maris would break Ruth's record, hitting 61 homers, while Mantle would finish with 54. The Yankees would go on to win the World Series, defeating the Cincinnati Reds in five games. The Indians, meanwhile, would finish the season in fifth place in the American League. Despite their loss in this particular game, they showed their ability to compete with the best, contributing to the memorable narrative of the 1961 season.