Upgraded 1962 Deluxe Past Season with transaction and lineups available now!
1962: Amazing
by Steve Ehresman
The 1962 baseball season was bookended by Marine Lieutenant John Glenn’s orbiting the earth three times in his spacecraft named Friendship Seven and by a thirteen-day standoff between the Soviet Union in the United States, remembered today as “The Cuban Missile Crisis.” Between these history-making events, Major League Baseball enjoyed a memorable season, highlighted by another pennant for the New York Yankees in the American League; a thrilling pennant race, culminating in a three-game play-off in the National League; and a team with a 40-120 record becoming a legend to their devoted fans.
The 1962 American League featured a strong first half by the Cleveland Indians, followed by a collapse; a surge by the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Angels; and a familiar look to the post-season with the Yankees on top, despite their most famous player’s injury-plagued season.
The 1962 National League witnessed a photo-finish, with the San Francisco Giants catching the Los Angeles Dodgers on the final day of the season; new records set by a St. Louis Cardinal great; and a 162-game season, thanks to the addition of expansion teams in Houston and New York.
The New York Yankees held on to the American League flag, despite stiff competition throughout the summer. Led once again by the M&M Boys--MVP Mickey Mantle (96 R, 30 HR, 89 RBI, a major league-leading 122 BB, .321 BA, a league-leading .605 SA in only 307 AB) and 1961 home run champion Roger Maris (92 R, 34 2B, 33 HR, 100 RBI, 87 BB) -- the Bronx Bombers bested the Minnesota Twins by 5 games, returning to the World Series for the third consecutive year. The Yankees boasted a crackerjack infield: Bill “Moose” Skowron (23 HR, 80 RBI) manning first base, Bobby Richardson (a league-leading 209 H, 99 R, 38 2B, .302 BA) and ROY Tom Tresh (94 R, 26 2B, 20 HR, 93 RBI) holding down the keystone, and Clete Boyer (24 2B, 18 HR) playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at the hot corner. Behind the plate, Elston Howard (23 2B, 21 HR, 91 RBI, .474 SA) was Major League Baseball’s finest catcher. The potent Yankee offense led the American League in runs (817), hits (1509), home runs (199) and RBI (791).
As had been the case since 1947, the Yankees put winners on the mound. With Ralph Terry (43 G, a league-leading 39 GS, 14 CG, a league-leading 299 IP, a league-leading 23 wins with 12 losses, 3.19), Whitey Ford (38 G, 37 GS, 7 CG, 258 IP, 17-8, 2.90), and Bill Stafford (35 G, 33 GS, 7 CG, 213 IP, 14-9, 3.68) at the head of their corps, the Yankees reaped the benefits of a deep and talented pitching staff.
Coming in 5 games behind New York, the Minnesota Twins scored 798 runs and stayed in the pennant chase thanks to the efforts of Harmon Killebrew (21 2B, a league-leading 48 HR, a league-leading 126 RBI, .545 SA) and Bob Allison (24 2B, 8 3B, 29 HR, 102 RBI, .511 SA). On the hill, the Twins threatened their rivals with a four-headed Hydra: Camilo Pascual (34 G, 33 GS, a league-leading 18 CG, 258 IP, a league-leading 206 K, 5 SHO, 20-11, 3.31), Jim Kaat (39 G, 35 GS, 16 CG, 269 IP, 5 SHO 18-14, 3.14), Dick Stigman (40 G, 15 GS, 6 CG, 143 IP, 12-5, 3.65), and Jack Kralick (39 G, 37 GS, 7 CG, 243 IP, 12-11, 3.85). For good measure, Kralick tossed a no-hitter against the Kansas City Athletics on August 26.
Hanging tough for much of the 1962 season, the Los Angeles Angels relied on Leon Wagner (21 2B, 37 HR, 107 RBI, .500 SA) and Lee Thomas (21 2B, 26 HR, 104 RBI) for their offense and Dean Chance (50 G, 24 GS, 6 CG, 207 IP, 14-10, 2.96) and Ken McBride (24 G, 23 GS, 6 CG, 149 IP, 11-5, 3.50) for their steady pitching. In addition, the Angels’ pitching staff featured a colorful young left-hander named Bo Belinsky (33 G, 31 GS, 5 CG, 187 IP, 10-11, 3.56), who recorded four-straight season-opening wins, the fourth of which was a no-hitter against his former organization, the Baltimore Orioles, on May 5.
Fortified with power hitters, the Detroit Tigers led the Major Leagues in home runs, walloping 209 long balls, thanks to stellar performances by Norm Cash (39 HR, 89 RBI, 104 BB, .513 SA), Al Kaline (16 2B, 6 3B, 29 HR, 94 RBI, .593 SA in only 398 Abs), and Rocky Colavito (30 2B, 37 HR, 112 RBI, 96 BB, .514 SA, a league-leading 309 TB). The “Motor City” sluggers lead all of Major League Baseball with 209 home runs. Aces Jim Bunning (41 G, 35 CG, 12 CG, 258 IP, 19-10, 3.59) and Hank Aguirre (42 G, 22 GS, 11 CG, 216 IP, 16-8, a Major League-leading 2.21) provided stability for the Detroit pitching staff.
Rounding out the first division, the Chicago White Sox relied on Luis Aparicio (23 2B, a league-leading 31 SB), Al Smith (23 2B, 8 3B, 16 HR, 82 RB), and Floyd Robinson (a league-leading 45 2B, 10 3B, 109 RBI, .312 BA) to propel their home run-challenged offense (92 HR, last in the Major Leagues). A quartet of pitchers helped the Pale Hose to a respectable finish: Ray Herbert (35 G, 35 GS, 12 CG, 237 IP, 20-9, 3.27), Juan Pizarro (36 G, 32 GS, 9 CG, 203 IP, 12-14, 3.18), Eddie Fisher (57 G, 12 GS, 2 CG, 183 IP, 9-5, 3.10)), and Frank Baumann (40 G, 10 GS, 3 CG, 120 IP, 7-6, 3.38).
Major League Baseball’s Jekyll and Hyde team, the Cleveland Indians got off to a fast start with a 48-36 record at the All-Star break. After that pinnacle, the Tribe dropped 28 of their next 38 games and fell into the second division. Nevertheless, the Indians possessed fire-power, thanks to Tito Francona (28 2B, 14 HR, 70 RBI), Chuck Essegian (21 HR, .497 SA), and Johnny Romano (25 HR, 81 RBI, .479 SA). The pitching staff was led by a bona fide ace, Dick Donovan (34 G, 34 GS, 16 CG, 251 IP, 20-10, 3.59).
Although the Baltimore Orioles took a tumble in 1962, third-sacker Brooks Robinson (29 2B, 9 3B, 23 HR, 86 RBI, .303) became only the fifth player in Major League history to hit back-to-back grand slam home runs on May 6 and May 9. The Oriole attack also featured Jim Gentile (21 2B, 33 HR, 87 RBI, 77 BB, .475 SA), Jackie Brandt (29 2B, 19 HR, 75 RBI), and youngster Boog Powell (13 2B, 15 HR). The mound crew was anchored by three starters and one stalwart reliever. Milt Pappas (35 G, 32 GS, 9 CG, 205 IP, 12-10, 4.04), Robin Roberts (27 G, 25 GS, 6 CG, 191 IP, 10-9, 2.76), and Chuck Estrada (34 G, 33 GS, 6 CG, 223 IP, 9-17, 3.47) carried the water as starting pitchers, while Hoyt Wilhelm stood among the best at his craft as closer (52 G, 44 GF, 15 SV, 93 IP, 1.94).
Although the Boston Red Sox finished deep in the second division, far off New York’s championship pace, Fenway Park was home to some good offensive players. Pete Runnels (33 2B, .326) claimed the American League batting title; Ed Bressoud played like an extra-base-hit machine (40 2B, 9 3B, 14 HR); Frank Malzone (20 2B, 21 HR) led the Bosox with 95 RBI; Lou Clinton (24 2B, 10 3B, 18 HR, .294 BA, .540 SA) enjoyed a career-year; and 22-year-old Carl Yastrzemski led the way with a terrific all-around season (43 2B, 19 HR, 94 RBI, .296). The Boston pitching staff also had a few moments of glory. Earl Wilson (31 G, 26 GS, 4 CG, 191 IP, 12-8, 3.91) became the first black pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the American League when he no-hit the Los Angeles Angels on June 26. Frank Malzone made a backhanded grab of a foul ball right at the top of the Angels’ dugout in the 8th inning to help preserve Wilson’s no-no. Further, ace hurler Bill Monbouquette (35 G, 35 GS, 11 CG, 235 IP, 15-13, 3.33) no-hit the White Sox on August 1. Gene Conley (34 G, 33 GS, 9 CG, 242 IP, 15-14, 3.94), a 6-8 225 lb. presence on the pitching mound, as well as on the basketball court with the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, was a third hard-working hurler for the Red Sox. Out of the bullpen, 6-6, 230 lb. Dick Radatz (a league-leading 62 G, a league-leading 53 GF, a league-leading 24 SV, 124.2 IP, 2.24) was the most dominant reliever in the American League.
The Kansas City Athletics fielded some good hitters, scoring a respectable 745 runs and leading the league in triples with 58, but their pitching staff issued 655 bases on balls and posted a 4.79 earned run average—both of which were the worst in the American League. Among the offensive stars for the Athletics were Norm Siebern (25 2B, 25 HR, 117 RBI, 110 BB, .308 BA, .495 SA), Jerry Lumpe (34 2B, 10 3B, 83 RBI, .301 BA), Ed Charles (24 2B, 7 3B, 17 HR, 74 RBI, 20 SB), Gino Cimoli (20 2B, a league-leading 15 3B, 71 RBI), and Manny Jimenez (24 2B, .301 BA). Nevertheless, this production was eclipsed by the pitchers’ season-long struggles. Ed Rakow (42 G, 35 GS, 11 CG, 235 IP, 14-17, 4.25) was the staff’s workhorse.
Last in the American League was the latest version of a Major League Baseball team in our nation’s capital, the second-year Washington Senators. With a 60-101 record, the Nats had little to offer their fans. Chuck Hinton (25 2B, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 28 SB, .310 AV) was their star, although premier defensive outfielder Jimmy Piersall (20 2B, 12 SB) and versatile Bob Johnson (20 2B, 12 HR, 9 SB, .288 AV) chipped in where they could. Dave Stanhouse (34 G, 26 GS, 9 CG, 197 IP, 11-12, 3.65) anchored the pitching staff, and young Claude Osteen (28 G, 22 GS, 7 CG, 150 IP, 8-13, 3.66) would realize his potential when he became a Los Angeles Dodger in 1965.
Whereas the American League pennant race was between rivals from different parts of the country, the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, the National League pennant race was between arch-rivals from the same state--the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite season-long heroics by the Dodgers, San Francisco caught Los Angeles on the last day of the season to force a three-game tie-breaker for the pennant, the first such contest since 1951, when Bobby Thompson broke hearts in Flatbush.
Fueling the San Francisco Giants’ pennant drive throughout the summer were three stalwart batsmen: Orlando Cepeda (28 2B, 35 HR, 114 RBI, .308 BA, .518 SA). Felipe Alou (30 2B, 25 HR, 98 RBI, .316 BA, .513 SA), and—of course—Willie Mays (36 2B, a league-leading 49 HR, 141 RBI, 18 SB, .304 BA, .615 SA, a league-leading 382 TB). The Candlestick Park sluggers led Major League Baseball in runs (878), hits (1552), home runs (204), and RBI (807). On the mound, the Giants featured a trio of excellent pitchers: Jack Sanford (39 G, 38 GS, 13 CG, 265 IP, 24-7, 3.43), Billy O’Dell (43 G, 39 GS, 20 CG, 281 IP, 19-14, 3.52), and Juan Marichal (37 G, 36 GS, 18 CG, 263 IP, 18-11, 3.35).
In a season-long attempt to stave off the indomitable Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned to Tommy Davis and MVP Maury Wills. Enjoying one of the best years ever by a Dodger---Brooklyn or Los Angeles variety—Tommy Davis (a major league-leading 230 H, 27 2B, 9 3B, 27 HR, a major league-leading 153 RBI, 18 SB, a major league-leading .346 BA. .535 SA) helped to keep Los Angeles in the lead until the final day of the season. Tommy Davis was given ample assistance by Dodger giant Frank Howard (25 2B, 31 HR, 119 RBI, .296 BA, .560 SA) and Willie Davis (18 2B, 10 3B, 21 HR, 85 RBI, 32 SB, .285 BA). Quite different from these home run hitters, Maury Wills (10 3B, .299) steadied the Dodgers infield, set a single-season record with 104 stolen bases, and swiped the National League MVP Award to boot. The Los Angeles pitchers performed yeoman-like work, thanks to Cy Young Award winner Don Drysdale (43 G, a major league-leading 41 GS, 19 CG, a major league-leading 314 IP, a league-leading 232 K, a league-leading 25 wins with 9 loses, 2.84) and Johnny Podres (40 G, 40 GS, 8 CG, 255 IP, 15-13, 3.81). Throughout the season, Los Angeles was reliant on indefatigable reliever Ron Perranoski (a major league-leading 70 G, 39 GF, 19 SV, 107.1 IP, 2.85). The tide began to turn against Los Angeles on July 14, when Sandy Koufax (28 G, 26 GS, 11 CG, 184 IP, 14-7, a league-leading 2.54) was lost for the season with a circulatory ailment in his fingers. As part of his resume, Koufax had no-hit the New York Mets on June 30. Badly missing their star southpaw, the Dodgers won only 3 of the final 13 games of the season, while the Giants won 7, tying Los Angeles, forcing a 3-game play-off, and eliminating their Southern California rivals from World Series competition.
Almost lost amid the strife emanating from Chavez Ravine and Candlestick were the third-place Cincinnati Reds, the defending National League Champions, who finished 3.5 games behind San Francisco’s pennant-winning pace. Fueled by Frank Robinson (a major league-leading 134 R, a major league-leading 51 2B, 39 HR, 136 RBI, 18 SB, .342 BA, a major league-leading .624 SA) and Vada Pinson (31 2B, 7 3B, 23 HR, 100 RBI, 26 SB, .292 BA), the Reds possessed a ferocious offense and solid pitching. Led by a trio of stalwart pitchers, Bob Purkey (37 G, 37 GS, 18 CG, 288 IP, 23-5, 2.81), Joey Jay (39 G, 37 GS, 16 CG, 273 IP, 21-14, 3.76), and Jim O’Toole (36 G, 34 GS, 11 CG, 252 IP, 16-13, 3.50), the Reds acquitted themselves well in the era before the Big Red Machine.
The Pittsburgh Pirates featured Roberto Clemente (28 2B, 9 3B, 10 HR, 74 RBI, .312), Bob Skinner (29 2B, 20 HR, 75 RBI, .302 BA, .504 SA), and Smoky Burgess (19 2B, 13 HR, 61 RBI, .328 BA, .500 SA in only 360 AB). Reliable starting pitchers Bob Friend (39 G, 36 GS, 13 CG, 262 IP, 18-14, 3.06), Al McBean (33 G, 29 GS, 6 CG, 15-10, 3.69), and Vern Law (23 G, 20 GS, 7 CG, 139 IP, 10-7, 3.95) and relief ace Elroy Face (63 G, a major league-leading 57 GF, a major league-leading 28 SV, 91 IP, 1.88) kept the Pirates solidly in fourth place, only 8 games behind the pennant-winning Giants.
Rounding out the first division were the Milwaukee Braves, led by sluggers Hank Aaron (28 2B, 6 3B, 45 HR, 128 RBI, 15 SB, .323 BA, .618 SA), Eddie Mathews (25 2B, 6 3B, 29 HR, 90 RBI, a league-leading 101 BB, .496 SA), and Joe Adcock (29 HR, 78 RBI, .506 SA) and by 41-year-old southpaw ace Warren Spahn (34 G, 34 GS, a major league-leading 22 CG, 269 IP, 15-14, 3.04). Assisting Spahn on the mound were Bob Shaw (38 G, 29 GS, 12 CG, 225 IP, 15-9, 2.80) and Bob Hendley (35 G, 29 GS, 7 CG, 200 IP, 11-13, 3.60)
The St. Louis Cardinals featured quality players, such as Bill White (31 2B, 20 HR, 102 RBI, .324 BA), Ken Boyer (27 2B, 24 HR, 98 RBI, 12 SB, .291 BA), Curt Flood (30 2B, 12 HR, 70 RBI, .296 BA), and 41-year-old Stan Musial (18 2B, 19 HR, 82 RBI, .330 BA, .506 SA in only 433 AB). In addition, Musial became the all-time National League leader in runs scored (1,086) and in total bases (5,864). Red Bird pitchers Larry Jackson (36 G, 35 GS, 11 CG, 252 IP, 16-11, 3.75), Bob Gibson (32 G, 30 GS, 15 CG, 252 IP, 15-13, 2.85), and Ernie Broglio (34 G, 30 GS, 11 CG, 222 IP, 12-9, 3.00) helped to keep games competitive in the “Gateway City.”
The Philadelphia Phillies, while still a long way from their being competitive, improved upon their dismal 1961 performance, thanks to powerful years from their first baseman Roy Sievers (19 2B, 21 HR, 80 RBI), their third baseman Don Demeter (24 2B, 29 HR, 107 RBI, .307 BA, .520 SA), and a couple of their outfielders: Johnny Callison (28 2B, 10 3B, 23 HR, 83 RBI, .300 BA, .491 SA) and Tony Gonzalez (16 2B, 20 HR, 17 SB, .302 BA, .494 SA). Although the Philadelphia pitching staff was sub-par (4.28 team ERA), starter Art Mahaffey (41 G, 39 GS, 20 CG, 274 IP, 19-14, 3.94) and reliever Jack Baldschun (65 G, 49 GF, 13 SV, 113 IP, 2.95) labored admirably in a losing cause.
The Houston Colt 45s debuted auspiciously, as they pounded the Chicago Cubs 11-2 on April 10 before a crowd of over 25,000 and went on to sweep the Cubs in Houston’s first 3-game series in mosquito-infested Colt Stadium. Indeed, the 45s finished April 7-8, 4 games in front of the expansion New York Mets and only 5 games behind the National League-leading Pirates and Giants. Eliminated from the postseason on August 21, the Houston Colt 45s finished in eighth place, 35.5 games behind the Giants. Lacking offensive fire power, despite their rootin’-tootin’ nickname, Houston featured Roman Mejias (24 HR, 76 RBI, 12 SB, .286) and a cast of non-descript cast-offs. Despite their deficiencies at the plate, the Colt 45s put Major League caliber pitchers on the hill, led by Ken Johnson (33 G, 31 GS, 5 CG, 197 IP, 7-16, 3.84), Dick Farrell (43 G, 29 GS, 11 CG, 242 IP, 10-20, 3.01), and Bob Bruce (32 G, 27 GS, 6 CG, 175 IP, 10-9, 4.06).
Woe to the Chicago Cubs. Not an expansion team, the Cubs, nevertheless, finished 59-103, 42.5 games behind San Francisco’s pennant-winning pace. Still utilizing P.K. Wrigley’s College of Coaches, the Cubs plummeted in the standings, giving their fans little to cheer, but much to scorn. Somewhere amid the cranage was a nucleus of good young players, led by third baseman Ron Santo (20 2B, 17 HR, 83 RBI) and outfielder Billy Williams (22 2B, 8 3B, 22 HR, 91 RBI, 70 BB, .298 BA). Further, veterans like George Altman (27 2B, 22 HR, 74 RBI, 19 SB, .318 BA, .511 SA) and “Mister Cub” Ernie Banks (20 2B, 37 HR, 104 RBI, .503 SA) provided the North Siders with both fire-power and leadership. A couple of youngsters, ROY second baseman Ken Hubbs (24 2B, 9 3B) and under-appreciated outfielder Lou Brock (24 2B, 7 3B, 16 SB) suggested that the Cubs possessed youngsters whose stardom would lead the way to brighter days. Veteran Bob Buhl (35 G, 31 GS, 8 CG, 214 IP, 12-14, 3.87) and youngster Cal Koonce (35 G, 39 GS, 3 CG, 191 IP, 10-10, 3.96) tried to hold together a pitching staff that looked Major League only in comparison to the “Amazin’ Mets.”
In an attempt to analyze the 1962 Mets, New York’s National League expansion team, one must defer to their manager, Casey Stengel: “Look at that guy. He can’t hit, he can’t run, and he can’t throw. Of course, that’s why they gave him to us.” In an attempt to draw fans to the Polo Grounds, the Mets selected a number of “over-the-hill” National Leaguers, Among these cast-offs were Gil Hodges (6 HR), Charlie Neal (14 2B, 9 HR, 11 HR), Frank Thomas (23 2B, 34 HR, 94 RBI, .496 SA), and Roger Craig (42 G, 33 GS, 13 CG, 233 IP, 10-24, 4.52), who, along with Jay Hook (37 G, 34 GS, 13 CG, 214 IP, 8-19, 4.84) and Al Jackson (36 G, 33 GS, 12 CG, 231 IP, 8-20, 4.40), had the thankless job of anchoring the Major League’s worst pitching staff (5.04 ERA). Despite the Mets’ 40-120 record, their fans, all 922, 530 of them, cheered for their anti-heroes with devotion, giving the first-year Mets the 6th best attendance in the National League. Amazing.
The 1962 World Series matched the Giants and the Yankees for the first time since 1954, when Willie Mays made a catch “which must have been an optical illusion to a lot of people.” This seven-game Series was the first for the Giants since they relocated to “The City by the Bay” in 1958. For the Yankees, World Series appearances were so frequent that between 1923 (when New York won their first Series) and 1962, they won half of the Fall Classics. Despite the fact that the Giants out-hit and out-pitched the Yankees in a record-setting 13 days of rainouts, everything came down to the seventh game in San Francisco. With Matty Alou on third and Willie Mays on second, Willie McCovey (20 HR, 54 RB, .590 SA in 229 AB) connected with a Ralph Terry fast ball for what looked like a walk-off base hit. Instead, a well-positioned Bobby Richardson made the catch without leaping to end the game and to give the Yankees their twentieth World Series Championship. Ralph Terry, who went the distance to record a 1-0 victory, was named the Series MVP.
In 1962, a number of familiar phrases entered the American lexicon. To open the Tonight Show, Ed McMahon roused late-night television viewers with “Heeere’s Johnny [Carson].” In Dr. No, Sean Connery gave life to Ian Fleming’s famous spy, identifying himself as “Bond, James Bond.” The small city of Orville, Ohio urged consumers to purchase their jams and jellies by boasting “With a name like Smucker’s it has to be good.” Perhaps the slogan most indicative of America’s “can-do” spirit in the Age of Camelot came from Avis: “We Try Harder.” Before the end of the decade, that spirit would put men on the moon. Amazing.
The 1962 Major League Season provided its fans with superb baseball: outstanding hitting and pitching, competitive pennant races, and an all-time great World Series. With two new teams added to baseball’s expanding geography, America’s Pastime was reaching more people in more places than ever before. When Casey Stengel famously asked, “Can’t anybody here play this game,” the answer was “yes” and “no.” Plenty of good, even great players patrolled the diamonds in windy Candlestick Park, brand-new Dodger Stadium, and venerable Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for multi-purpose D.C. Stadium, historic Wrigley Field, and one-time home of champions The Polo Grounds. Nevertheless, in 1962, New York’s National League fans--if not all of America--were introduced to a new phenomenon, loveable losers. The old adage remains us that what counts is how one “plays the game.” In the case of the New York Metropolitan Baseball Cub, what counted was how they did not play the game. Simply Amazing.
The 1962 Deluxe Past Season database contains everything you need to play games using teams and players from the 1962 season -- a full set of ratings and statistics for every player who appeared in the big leagues that year, plus team rosters, manager profiles, ballpark ratings and league schedules. Statistics include official batting, pitching and fielding totals with left/right splits for all batters and pitchers.
Also included is a complete set of real-life player transactions -- trades, disabled list moves, promotions, demotions, suspensions, and more -- plus the actual starting lineups for every regular-season game played.
Customers who have previously bought Diamond Mind's 1962 Classic Past Season database are eligible to buy this upgraded edition for the discounted price of $10. Send an email to dmb_info@imaginesports.com to request your discount promotion code.
** Important Note ** This season database is a companion product for the Diamond Mind Baseball version 11 game. To use this database, you must also have Diamond Mind Baseball version 11. The game software provides you with all of the tools you need to play simulated games, make roster moves, produce dozens of statistical reports, generate league schedules, and more.
