WHITESOX HISTORY 1961

 

Another sluggish start led to a season of struggle as the WhiteSox were in last place as June 11th before ripping off 19 wins( including 12 straight in a row) to move up to fourth place finish (86-76), 23 games out. One of the few bright spots early in the Year was pitcher Early Wynn who was 8-2 but then quit for the seson in July with Soulder problems, Juan Pizzaro was the only pitcher to win more than 10 games, finishing 14-7 with a 3.05 ERA. Rookie Outfielder Floyd Robinson led the club with a .310 average in 132 games with 11 homers and 59 RBI's. Roy Sievers hit .295 with 27 homers and 92 RBI's, Al Smith was .278 with 28 homers and 93 RBI's and Jim Landis hit .282 with 22 homers and 85 RBI's

 

Luis Aparicio (.272) had 53 stolen bases in 66 attempts and once again led the league in steals. After a 7-6 april, the Sox suffered a 9-21 may that doomed their Pennant hopes

The 1961 Yankee team was topped only by their 1998 team as the best of my lifetime IMO. In 61 Mantle and Maris chased Ruth. For a while Jim Gentile of the Orioles was right up there with them. Floyd Robinson was one of my favorite WS players in that era. A line drive hitter who hit to all fields. He was a fireplug built similar to Kirby Puckett.