The 1961 Yankees completed an improbable sweep of
the 1969 Baltimore Orioles, a club that had clinched the division title
coming in to the series. The sweep was the culmination of a second half
turn-around on the part of the Yankees, who stood at 10-11 just past the
midway point after dropping 2 of 3 to the lowly ’77 Angels.
Pitching
keyed the sweep, with starters Rollie Sheldon, Whitey Ford and Ralph
Terry all turning in dominant efforts. Elston Howard’s three run homer
broke up a 2-2 game in the opener, as the Yankees went on to win 8-4.
Whitey
Ford scattered four hits through 9 innings in game two, but Mike
Cuellar was almost as tough and the game went to the bottom of the ninth
tied 1-1. Eddie Watt was on the mound for Baltimore, and got the first
two Yankee hitters. Yogi Berra was called on to hit for Hector Lopez,
and singled. Clete Boyer worked a walk, and John Blanchard came on to
hit for Ford. Blanchard turned on a 2-2 pitch and yanked it into the
left field bleachers for a game winning 3 run homer – what might be
referred to a “walk off” homer in the future. Super-sub Blanchard
finished the season with a .355 average, and 9 homers, only one shy of
glorified teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Game
three saw the Yankees win 5-1 over Dave McNally, as Howard hit another
home run and Roger Maris had a clutch, two out two run single.
The
Orioles will remain a favorite to win the KPD25 AL pennant, but the
Yankees hope to continue their second half success in to the post
season.
Bike Mike
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