1961 - Maris 62 HRs / Mantle 55 HRs

[doug.goodman]

I collect scored programs / scorecards from regular & post season ML games. Back in May, I found a gem on ebay, but my touring schedule has kept me from seeing it until today. I don't usually care about preseason, exhibition or any games that "don't count", but this one is an exception :


On July 17, 1961 the Yankees were scheduled to play a doubleheader in Baltimore. In game #1, Mickey Mantle went 1-4 hitting his 33rd homer of the season, while Roger Maris was 0-3 with a walk and scored a run, as the Yankees took the O's 5 zip.


Game #2 started with a Richardson fly out to Center, a Kubek pop to short, then Maris hit his 36th homer of the year, followed by a Mantle strikeout.

Marv Throneberry tied the game with a solo shot for the Orioles in the second inning.

Clete Boyer got the lead back for the Yankees with a HR in the third.

Then Mantle lead off the fourth with his second homer of the day, his 34th of the season.

In the fifth, after Coates and Richardson grounded out, the rains came and washed everything away.


I was quite happy to win them, and that second game would have been the 32nd Maris HR and 24th Mantle HR that I have scorecards for from 1961, but since the game didn't count I believe the proper term would be "c'est la vie"