May 30th, 1961
VS
This will be a quick installment - just two days - as the month of May expires as our quick series in Cleveland finishes. At that point I'll go over the league again, check out the leaderboards, and dive into how the team has been doing on an individual level. This time around we'll also be looking into the farm system and checking in on our top prospects.
First, though, it's time for Cleveland. We had Monday off, and now we're playing three rapid-fire games against the Indians. Two on Tuesday, then the finale on Wednesday. We won't be seeing these guys again until after the All-Star break.
Speaking of which, voting has opened and Camilo Pascual finds himself leading the voting for starting pitchers. It's a bit of a surprise that the All-Star Game starting arm could come out of our staff, but Pascual's got a 2.06 ERA (second in the AL) and 58 strikeouts (second as well.)
On the off-day, Roger Maris hit three home runs for New York. He's suddenly jumped into the home run race, with 17 on the year. That's just one behind Steve Bilko.
Another big story came out of Los Angeles yesterday. Rumors are swirling that Duke Snider doesn't want to be a Dodger anymore. It's a blow to the fans; Snider debuted in 1947 (certainly a notable year for Brookyln debuts) and has logged over 1,700 games with the franchise. A 7-time All-Star, Snider has reason to be unhappy with his playing time this year, having been limited to just three starts while hitting .156.
Snider is making $46k, so it's not like we'll be having anything to do with him.
Quote:
MINNESOTA (18-27) - 9
CLEVELAND (24-22) - 5
WP: Camilo Pascual (5-2) / LP: Gary Bell (4-4)
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Bit of an odd one, this first game. Each team had a three-run frame in the middle innings, and there were six combined runs in the ninth.
Lenny Green had two hits and three RBI. An ice-cold Jim Lemon hit his third homer of the year, a three-run blast in the ninth. Earl Battey had his second long ball, and everybody but Meisner notched a hit.
Quote:
CLEVELAND (25-22) - 5
MINNESOTA (18-28) - 0
WP: Jim Perry (4-4) / LP: Jack Kralick (3-3)
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The middle of the Cleveland order killed us almost as much as starter Jim Perry did. Willie Kirkland and Tito Francona accounted for all five runs, and Woodie Held and Bubba Phillips were responsible for all five RBI.
Today ended a streak of nine straight games with a run scored for Harmon Killebrew, who crossed home fifteen times this month.
It was the third shutout of the month for the team. We haven't pitched a shutout of our own since the first game of our Opening Day double-header at Yankee Stadium.
At Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia 1B Pancho Herrera hit for the cycle, capping it off with a two-run single in the seventh.
May 31st, 1961
Quote:
MINNESOTA (19-28) - 6
CLEVELAND (25-23) - 1
WP: Jim Kaat (1-2) / LP: Dick Stigman (1-3)
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We end the month on a high note, taking the series on the road in Cleveland. Kitty Kaat got his first win of the year, needing 130 pitches to wrap things up.
Bill Allison had a great day, with two doubles and a homer. Killebrew hit one of his own - he now leads the club with 10. He had eight dingers this month after just two in all of April.
All right...time to take stock!