1962 San Francisco Giants season
Encyclopedia
The 1962
San Francisco Giants
season saw the Giants finish in first place in the National League
with a record of 103 wins and 62 losses. They finished the season tied with their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers
, for first place in the league, necessitating a three-game tiebreaker playoff
to determine the pennant
winner. The Giants won two of the three games to take their first National League title since moving to San Francisco, making the Giants the first NL Champions of the 162-game schedule era. They went on to the 1962 World Series
, where they lost in seven games to the New York Yankees
.
in San Francisco, California
Roger Maris
' two-run double in the first inning set up Yankee starter Whitey Ford
with a lead, but Willie Mays
scored for the Giants in the second, ending Ford's record consecutive scoreless inning streak at 33 2/3. Chuck Hiller
's double and Felipe Alou's hit in the third tied the game, but the Yankees broke the tie in the 7th on Clete Boyer
's HR and scored three insurance runs in the final two innings. Ford's complete game victory was the first of six in the series, four for the Yankees and two for the Giants.
in San Francisco, California
With the Giants protecting a 1-0 lead in the 7th inning, Willie McCovey smashed a tremendous home run over the right field fence to boost 24-game winner Jack Sanford
to 2-0 shutout of the Yankees, who managed only 3 hits.
The Yankees ended a scoreless tie in the 7th, scoring three times. Roger Maris drove a base hit off starter Billy Pierce
for two runs batted in, and alert base-running allowed him to score the winning run in a 3-2 Yankee victory. Giants catcher Ed Bailey
's 2-run homer in the top of the 9th left the Giants a run short.
For the second time in two days, a Giants' catcher stroked a two-run homer when Tom Haller
hit his off Whitey Ford in the second inning. After the Yankees tied the score at 2-2, second baseman Chuck Hiller
hit the first National League grand slam in World Series history in the 7th, and the Giants went on to win 7-3. The game marked the only appearance in this series of future Hall-of-famer Juan Marichal
, who started for the Giants.
Don Larsen
was the winning pitcher in relief, six years to the day of his perfect game
in the 1956 World Series
.
Hot hitting José Pagán
drove in two runs with a single in the third and a home run in the 5th, but with the score tied 2-2 in the 8th, Tom Tresh
walloped what proved to be the winning homer, a three-run shot that scored Bobby Richardson
and Tony Kubek
in front of him. With the series returning to San Francisco the Yankees had the edge, 3 games to 2, only to have the sixth game delayed four days by rain.
in San Francisco, California
In a battle of left-handed starting pitchers, Pierce out-dueled Ford and tossed a brilliant complete-game 3-hitter as the Giants evened the series at three wins apiece with a 5-2 victory. The Yankees' only runs came on a Maris solo home run in the 5th inning and an RBI single by Tony Kubek in the 8th inning.
in San Francisco, California
The only run of this classic game occurred in the 5th inning when Tony Kubek
grounded into a double play, with Bill Skowron scoring from third. Ralph Terry
, pitching the seventh game instead of Jim Bouton
because of the rain delays, had given up Bill Mazeroski
's Series-winning walk-off home run
two years earlier
in Pittsburgh but in his third start completely stifled the Giants' power hitters.
In the bottom of the 9th, pinch-hitter Matty Alou
, batting for relief pitcher Billy O'Dell
, led off the inning with a bunt base hit after first having a foul ball dropped, but Terry struck out the next two batters, Felipe Alou and Hiller. Mays hit a double into the right field corner, but Maris brilliantly played the carom, then hit cut-off man Richardson with a throw that was relayed perfectly to home. Alou, already aware of Maris' great arm, stopped at third. Facing Willie McCovey
with two outs, Terry elected to pitch to him rather than walk the bases loaded
and bring up Orlando Cepeda
. Terry's inside fastball on the second pitch completely handcuffed McCovey, who nonetheless adjusted his bat in mid-swing to extend his arms and hit what he later claimed was the hardest ball he had ever struck. The line drive appeared at first to be going over the head of a perfectly-positioned Richardson, but was in fact sinking from topspin and Richardson made the catch without leaping to end the game. The Yankees won their 20th World Championship; they would not win another World Championship until 1977
.
1962 Major League Baseball season
This was the first 162-game schedule for the National League, as they added the Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets to their lineup, as the NL returned to New York City, after a four-year absence...
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
season saw the Giants finish in first place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with a record of 103 wins and 62 losses. They finished the season tied with their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers
1962 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers season was the fifth for the team in Southern California, and the 73rd for the franchise in the National League. After spending the previous four seasons at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, they began the season by opening Dodger Stadium, the team's new ballpark. The...
, for first place in the league, necessitating a three-game tiebreaker playoff
1962 National League tie-breaker series
The 1962 National League tie-breaker series was a three-game playoff series to determine the winner of Major League Baseball's National League pennant. The games took place from October 1 to 3, 1962, between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won the series two games...
to determine the pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
winner. The Giants won two of the three games to take their first National League title since moving to San Francisco, making the Giants the first NL Champions of the 162-game schedule era. They went on to the 1962 World Series
1962 World Series
The 1962 World Series matched the defending American League and World Series champions New York Yankees against the National League champion San Francisco Giants, who had won their first NL pennant since 1954 and first since moving from New York in 1958, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a...
, where they lost in seven games to the New York Yankees
1962 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 60th season for the team in New York, and its 62nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 96-66, winning their 27th pennant, finishing 5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. New York was managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium...
.
Offseason
- October 10, 1961: 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft
- Joey AmalfitanoJoey AmalfitanoJohn Joseph Amalfitano is a former utility infielder, manager and coach in Major League Baseball . He played a combined ten seasons with the New York/San Francisco Giants , Houston Colt .45s and Chicago Cubs . He managed the Cubs from 1979 to 1981...
was drafted from the Giants by the Houston Colt .45sHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. - Hobie LandrithHobie LandrithHobart "Hobie" Neal Landrith is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1950 through 1963 for the Cincinnati Reds & Redlegs, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Senators...
was drafted from the Giants by the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
- Joey Amalfitano
- October 16, 1961: Billy LoesBilly LoesWilliam Loes was an American right-handed pitcher who spent eleven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants...
was purchased from the Giants by the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - November 27, 1961: Georges MarandaGeorges MarandaGeorges Henri Maranda was a Major League Baseball pitcher from Levis, Quebec.He was one of three pitchers from Quebec, along with Ron Piche and Claude Raymond, who played for the minor league Louisville Colonels in 1959. In 1960 he played for the San Francisco Giants and in 1962 for the Minnesota...
was drafted from the Giants by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the 1961 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - November 30, 1961: Eddie FisherEddie Fisher (baseball)Eddie Gene Fisher was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Cleveland Indians , California Angels and St...
, Dom ZanniDom ZanniDominick Thomas Zanni is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds from 1958 to 1966....
, Bob FarleyBob FarleyRobert Jacob Farley is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a first baseman and outfielder who played part of and all of in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Giants to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Don LarsenDon LarsenDonald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
and Billy PierceBilly PierceWalter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...
. The Giants completed the deal by sending Verle TiefenthalerVerle TiefenthalerVerle Matthew Tiefenthaler , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1962. He batted left and threw right-handed. Tiefenthaler had a 0-0 record, with a 9.82 ERA, in three games, in his one year career.He was signed by the New York Giants in 1955 as an...
to the White Sox on August 17, 1962. - March 2, 1962: Billy Loes was returned to the Giants by the New York Mets.
- March 2, 1962: Billy Loes was released by the Giants.
Opening Day starters
- Felipe Alou
- Ed BaileyEd BaileyLonas Edgar Bailey, Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from through . Bailey batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee...
- Orlando CepedaOrlando CepedaOrlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
- Jim DavenportJim DavenportJames Houston Davenport is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played his entire career with the San Francisco Giants . The right-handed batter and thrower attended The University of Southern Mississippi.He played in one World Series in 1962, as the Giants lost to the New York Yankees...
- Chuck HillerChuck HillerCharles Joseph Hiller was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. As a Major Leaguer, he primarily played second base. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood tall and weighed . Hiller attended the University of St...
- Harvey KuennHarvey KuennHarvey Edward Kuenn was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted and threw right-handed...
- Juan MarichalJuan MarichalJuan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
- Willie MaysWillie MaysWillie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
- José PagánJosé PagánJosé Antonio Pagán Rodríguez was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball player.-Baseball career:Pagán made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on August 8, . He played for the Giants until 1965, then was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In he played his final career games with...
Notable transactions
- April 29, 1962: Bob NiemanBob NiemanRobert Charles Nieman was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants...
was purchased by the Giants from the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Roster
| 1962 San Francisco Giants | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (first base) |
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Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| = Indicates team leader |
| Pos. | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 99 | 272 | 53 | 71 | .261 | 18 | 55 | 1 | |
| 1B | 162 | 625 | 105 | 191 | .306 | 35 | 114 | 10 | |
| 2B | 161 | 602 | 94 | 166 | .276 | 3 | 48 | 5 | |
| 3B | 144 | 485 | 83 | 144 | .297 | 14 | 58 | 2 | |
| SS | 164 | 580 | 73 | 150 | .259 | 7 | 57 | 13 | |
| LF | 130 | 487 | 73 | 148 | .304 | 10 | 68 | 3 | |
| CF | 162 | 621 | 130 | 189 | .304 | 49 | 141 | 18 | |
| RF | 154 | 561 | 96 | 177 | .316 | 25 | 98 | 10 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 254 | 32 | 59 | .232 | 17 | 45 | 1 | |
| 91 | 229 | 41 | 67 | .293 | 20 | 54 | 3 | |
| 78 | 195 | 28 | 57 | .292 | 3 | 14 | 3 | |
| 47 | 74 | 9 | 13 | .176 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| 18 | 48 | 4 | 13 | .271 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 30 | 30 | 1 | 9 | .300 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 280.2 | 19 | 14 | 3.53 | 195 | |
| 39 | 265.1 | 24 | 7 | 3.43 | 147 | |
| 37 | 262.2 | 18 | 11 | 3.36 | 153 | |
| 30 | 162.1 | 16 | 6 | 3.49 | 76 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 98.2 | 5 | 5 | 5.38 | 42 | |
| 13 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 5.23 | 20 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 4.12 | 78 | |
| 49 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 4.38 | 58 | |
| 41 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 3.62 | 74 | |
| 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3.64 | 29 | |
| 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5.11 | 9 | |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7.71 | 5 |
Game 1
October 4, 1962 at Candlestick ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (A) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 0 |
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| W: Whitey Ford Whitey Ford Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:... (1-0) L: Billy O'Dell Billy O'Dell William Oliver O'Dell , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1954 and 1956-1967... (0-1) |
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| HR: NYY – Clete Boyer Clete Boyer Cletis Leroy "Clete" Boyer was a Major League Baseball player.A third baseman who also played shortstop and second base occasionally, Boyer played for the Kansas City Athletics , New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves... (1) |
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Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
' two-run double in the first inning set up Yankee starter Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
with a lead, but Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
scored for the Giants in the second, ending Ford's record consecutive scoreless inning streak at 33 2/3. Chuck Hiller
Chuck Hiller
Charles Joseph Hiller was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. As a Major Leaguer, he primarily played second base. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood tall and weighed . Hiller attended the University of St...
's double and Felipe Alou's hit in the third tied the game, but the Yankees broke the tie in the 7th on Clete Boyer
Clete Boyer
Cletis Leroy "Clete" Boyer was a Major League Baseball player.A third baseman who also played shortstop and second base occasionally, Boyer played for the Kansas City Athletics , New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves...
's HR and scored three insurance runs in the final two innings. Ford's complete game victory was the first of six in the series, four for the Yankees and two for the Giants.
Game 2
October 5, 1962 at Candlestick ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| San Francisco (N) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Jack Sanford Jack Sanford John Stanley Sanford was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, and later in his career a relief pitcher as well, for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and California Angels. He finished his career playing very briefly with the Kansas City... (1-0) L: Ralph Terry Ralph Terry Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets... (0-1) |
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| HR: SFG – Willie McCovey Willie McCovey Willie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and... (1) |
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With the Giants protecting a 1-0 lead in the 7th inning, Willie McCovey smashed a tremendous home run over the right field fence to boost 24-game winner Jack Sanford
Jack Sanford
John Stanley Sanford was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, and later in his career a relief pitcher as well, for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and California Angels. He finished his career playing very briefly with the Kansas City...
to 2-0 shutout of the Yankees, who managed only 3 hits.
Game 3
October 7, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | x | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| W:Bill Stafford Bill Stafford William Charles Stafford was a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1960-1967. Stafford was a successful pitcher for the New York Yankees from 1961–1962, winning a combined 28 games in two seasons... (1-0) L: Billy Pierce Billy Pierce Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953... (0-1) |
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| HR: SFG – Ed Bailey Ed Bailey Lonas Edgar Bailey, Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from through . Bailey batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee... (1) |
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The Yankees ended a scoreless tie in the 7th, scoring three times. Roger Maris drove a base hit off starter Billy Pierce
Billy Pierce
Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953...
for two runs batted in, and alert base-running allowed him to score the winning run in a 3-2 Yankee victory. Giants catcher Ed Bailey
Ed Bailey
Lonas Edgar Bailey, Jr. was an American professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from through . Bailey batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee...
's 2-run homer in the top of the 9th left the Giants a run short.
Game 4
October 8, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 1 |
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| W: Don Larsen Don Larsen Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series... (1-0) L: Jim Coates Jim Coates James Alton Coates is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Coates pitched for the New York Yankees , Washington Senators , Cincinnati Reds and California Angels .... (0-1) |
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| HR: SFG – Tom Haller Tom Haller Thomas Frank Haller was an American professional baseball player and baseball executive. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers... (1), Chuck Hiller Chuck Hiller Charles Joseph Hiller was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. As a Major Leaguer, he primarily played second base. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood tall and weighed . Hiller attended the University of St... (1) |
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For the second time in two days, a Giants' catcher stroked a two-run homer when Tom Haller
Tom Haller
Thomas Frank Haller was an American professional baseball player and baseball executive. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers...
hit his off Whitey Ford in the second inning. After the Yankees tied the score at 2-2, second baseman Chuck Hiller
Chuck Hiller
Charles Joseph Hiller was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. As a Major Leaguer, he primarily played second base. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood tall and weighed . Hiller attended the University of St...
hit the first National League grand slam in World Series history in the 7th, and the Giants went on to win 7-3. The game marked the only appearance in this series of future Hall-of-famer Juan Marichal
Juan Marichal
Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
, who started for the Giants.
Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
was the winning pitcher in relief, six years to the day of his perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
in the 1956 World Series
1956 World Series
The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees and the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers during the month of October 1956. The Series was a rematch of the 1955 World Series...
.
Game 5
October 10, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | x | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Ralph Terry Ralph Terry Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets... (1-1) L: Jack Sanford Jack Sanford John Stanley Sanford was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, and later in his career a relief pitcher as well, for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and California Angels. He finished his career playing very briefly with the Kansas City... (1-1) |
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| HR: SFG – José Pagán José Pagán José Antonio Pagán Rodríguez was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball player.-Baseball career:Pagán made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on August 8, . He played for the Giants until 1965, then was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In he played his final career games with... (1) NYY – Tom Tresh Tom Tresh Thomas Michael Tresh was a Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder who played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers . Tresh was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed... (1) |
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Hot hitting José Pagán
José Pagán
José Antonio Pagán Rodríguez was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball player.-Baseball career:Pagán made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants on August 8, . He played for the Giants until 1965, then was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In he played his final career games with...
drove in two runs with a single in the third and a home run in the 5th, but with the score tied 2-2 in the 8th, Tom Tresh
Tom Tresh
Thomas Michael Tresh was a Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder who played for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers . Tresh was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
walloped what proved to be the winning homer, a three-run shot that scored Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Richardson is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from through . Batting and throwing right-handed, he was a superb defensive infielder, as well as something of a clutch hitter, who played no small role in the Yankee baseball...
and Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
in front of him. With the series returning to San Francisco the Yankees had the edge, 3 games to 2, only to have the sixth game delayed four days by rain.
Game 6
October 15, 1962 at Candlestick ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| W: Billy Pierce Billy Pierce Walter William Pierce is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher between 1952 and 1961, and was named the American League's top pitcher in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953... (1-1) L: Whitey Ford Whitey Ford Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:... (1-1) |
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| HR: NYY – Roger Maris Roger Maris Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs... (1) |
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In a battle of left-handed starting pitchers, Pierce out-dueled Ford and tossed a brilliant complete-game 3-hitter as the Giants evened the series at three wins apiece with a 5-2 victory. The Yankees' only runs came on a Maris solo home run in the 5th inning and an RBI single by Tony Kubek in the 8th inning.
Game 7
October 16, 1962 at Candlestick ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| San Francisco (N) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| W: Ralph Terry Ralph Terry Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets... (2-1) L: Jack Sanford Jack Sanford John Stanley Sanford was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, and later in his career a relief pitcher as well, for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and California Angels. He finished his career playing very briefly with the Kansas City... (1-2) |
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The only run of this classic game occurred in the 5th inning when Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
grounded into a double play, with Bill Skowron scoring from third. Ralph Terry
Ralph Terry
Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets...
, pitching the seventh game instead of Jim Bouton
Jim Bouton
James Alan "Jim" Bouton is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is also the author of the controversial baseball book Ball Four, which was a combination diary of his season and memoir of his years with the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and Houston Astros.-Amateur and college...
because of the rain delays, had given up Bill Mazeroski
Bill Mazeroski
William Stanley Mazeroski , nicknamed "Maz", is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
's Series-winning walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
two years earlier
1960 World Series
The 1960 World Series was played between the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League and the New York Yankees of the American League from October 5 to October 13, 1960...
in Pittsburgh but in his third start completely stifled the Giants' power hitters.
In the bottom of the 9th, pinch-hitter Matty Alou
Matty Alou
Mateo Rojas "Matty" Alou was a Dominican outfielder who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals , Oakland Athletics , New York Yankees and San Diego Padres...
, batting for relief pitcher Billy O'Dell
Billy O'Dell
William Oliver O'Dell , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1954 and 1956-1967...
, led off the inning with a bunt base hit after first having a foul ball dropped, but Terry struck out the next two batters, Felipe Alou and Hiller. Mays hit a double into the right field corner, but Maris brilliantly played the carom, then hit cut-off man Richardson with a throw that was relayed perfectly to home. Alou, already aware of Maris' great arm, stopped at third. Facing Willie McCovey
Willie McCovey
Willie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
with two outs, Terry elected to pitch to him rather than walk the bases loaded
Bases loaded
In the sport of baseball, the bases are loaded when there is a runner on each base . This presents a great scoring opportunity for the batting team, but it also presents an easy double play opportunity for the defense. Causing the bases to become loaded is called loading the bases...
and bring up Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
. Terry's inside fastball on the second pitch completely handcuffed McCovey, who nonetheless adjusted his bat in mid-swing to extend his arms and hit what he later claimed was the hardest ball he had ever struck. The line drive appeared at first to be going over the head of a perfectly-positioned Richardson, but was in fact sinking from topspin and Richardson made the catch without leaping to end the game. The Yankees won their 20th World Championship; they would not win another World Championship until 1977
1977 New York Yankees season
The 1977 New York Yankees season was the 75th season for the Yankees in New York and the 77th season overall for the franchise. It culminated in the 21st World Series championship in franchise history, and its first under the ownership of George Steinbrenner...
.
Awards and honors
1962 All-Star Game- Felipe Alou
- Orlando CepedaOrlando CepedaOrlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
(Starting 1B) - Jim DavenportJim DavenportJames Houston Davenport is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played his entire career with the San Francisco Giants . The right-handed batter and thrower attended The University of Southern Mississippi.He played in one World Series in 1962, as the Giants lost to the New York Yankees...
- Juan MarichalJuan MarichalJuan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
- Willie MaysWillie MaysWillie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
(Starting CF)