RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
In the 1961 season, the Kansas City Athletics (now the Oakland Athletics) and the New York Yankees had contrasting performances. The Yankees dominated the American League, setting a new standard for excellence, while the Athletics struggled and finished towards the bottom of the standings.
The New York Yankees, led by their iconic duo Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, were a force to be reckoned with. Both Mantle and Maris were on a historic chase to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record of 60. August was a pivotal month for the Yankees, as Mantle and Maris continued their home run battle. Mantle was dealing with injuries but managed to hit 9 home runs in August, bringing his season total to 44. Maris, however, was on fire and hit an impressive 13 home runs in August, reaching a total of 51 for the season.
The Yankees' overall dominance in the league also showed in their record for August. They won a majority of their games and solidified their position at the top of the American League standings.
On the other hand, the Kansas City Athletics faced a difficult season in 1961. They struggled with both their offense and pitching, leading to a disappointing performance throughout the year, including August. The team failed to gain momentum and remained near the bottom of the standings for most of the season.
The New York Mets faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, September 23, 1970,...
New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio Broadcast / The New York Mets faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, September 23, 1970, at Connie Mack Stadium. The Mets, who had won the World Series in the previous season, were looking to regain their championship form, while the Phillies were in the midst of a rebuilding phase. On the mound for the Mets was Ray Sadecki, a seasoned left-hander who had been acquired from the San Francisco Giants in 1969. For the Phillies, Chris Short, a reliable veteran and two-time All-Star, took the start. This was a time when the league was witnessing a surge in offensive power, marked by an increase in home runs and batting averages.
The game kicked off with a back-and-forth between the two teams. The Phillies drew first blood in the first inning, capitalizing on a Mets' error. The Mets responded in the third inning to even the score. However, the Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a two-run homer by Larry Hisle. The Mets clawed back in the sixth inning, tying the game at 3-3, only for the Phillies to regain the lead in the bottom half. The Mets' batters, however, were undeterred. In the eighth inning, Donn Clendenon hit a two-run homer, giving the Mets a lead they would not relinquish.
In the end, the Mets emerged victorious with a 5-4 win. The game was notable for its pitching changes, with the Mets using five pitchers and the Phillies three. Tug McGraw, who would later become a Phillies legend, earned the win for the Mets, while Dick Selma took the loss for the Phillies. Clendenon was the offensive star of the game, with his eighth-inning home run proving to be the game-winner.
The 1970 season was a mixed bag for both teams. The Mets, despite their victory in this game, could not replicate their championship run from the previous year, finishing in third place in the National League East. The Phillies, on the other hand, ended up in the cellar of the same division. However, this season marked the beginning of their slow climb to their first World Series title in 1980. As for the league, the season was dominated by the Cincinnati Reds, who won the National League pennant, and the Baltimore Orioles, who won the World Series. The 1970 season also saw Johnny Bench of the Reds and Boog Powell of the Orioles winning the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues.
