1960 marked a thrilling baseball season.

The story of the 1960 baseball season traces back to a trade made the previous year. After the 1959 season, where the Yankees finished third, general manager George Weiss orchestrated a deal with Kansas City, sending Hank Bauer, Don Larsen, Norm Siebern, and Marv Throneberry to acquire Roger Maris. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter, who was named Most Valuable Player, transformed the trade into one of the most legendary deals in baseball history.

With Mickey Mantle blasting a league-leading 40 home runs and Maris knocking 39 homers while driving in a league-best 112 RBIs, the Yankees boasted a formidable power duo reminiscent of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Add to that the 26 homers from Bill "Moose" Skowron, and New York set a major league record with 193 homers.

The Yankees relied heavily on their offense, as none of their pitchers won more than 15 games. Even the legendary Whitey Ford could only manage 12 wins. Despite that, ten different pitchers earned five or more victories, with a total of 16 pitchers used throughout the season. The Yankees sealed the pennant by winning their final 15 games.

Chuck Estrada of Baltimore, who finished 8 games behind New York, and Jim Perry of Cleveland, which ended in fourth place, both tied for the most wins in the American League with 18. The third-ranked Chicago White Sox boasted league ERA leader Frank Baumann, who posted a 2.68 mark. Pete Runnels, the batting champion, hit .320 for seventh-place Boston. Ron Hansen of Baltimore, with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs, was named Rookie of the Year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, National League champions, featured Vern Law, who recorded 20 wins and earned Cy Young honors, alongside Bob Friend, who posted 18 wins. However, it was reliever Elroy Face who proved to be the team's savior, winning ten games and saving 24 others.

On offense, Pittsburgh shortstop Dick Groat led the league with a .325 batting average and won the MVP award. Groat outperformed strong competitors like Willie Mays (.319, 103 RBIs), Hank Aaron (40 home runs, a league-high 126 RBIs), and Ernie Banks (a league-leading 41 home runs and 117 RBIs). Rising star Roberto Clemente also contributed significantly with a .314 average and 16 home runs. The Pirates’ unsung hero was 23-year-old second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who impressed with his exceptional fielding.

Milwaukee, finishing 7 games behind Pittsburgh, had veteran pitcher Warren Spahn, who tied with Ernie Broglio of St. Louis for the most wins in the league with 21. Mike McCormick posted a league-best ERA of 2.70 while playing for fifth-place San Francisco. Rookie Frank Howard of Los Angeles hit 23 home runs.

In the 1960 World Series, the Yankees outscored the Pirates 46-17 over the first six games, but they couldn't secure more than three victories. Law won games one and four with help from Face, and veteran Harvey Haddix won game five. Whitey Ford threw shutouts in both games three and six.

Game seven proved to be an instant classic. The Pirates squandered an early 4-0 advantage, allowing the Yankees to surge ahead 7-4. But the Pirates responded with a five-run eighth inning, including a three-run homer from backup catcher Hal Smith. The Yankees, not to be outdone, scored two runs in the ninth to tie the game at 9.

Mazeroski led off the bottom of the ninth against Ralph Terry, who had stopped the Pirates' rally in the eighth. Up until that point, Mazeroski, who had a .273 average with 11 home runs during the season, had recorded seven hits in 24 at-bats in the 1960 World Series and had already hit a game-winning two-run homer in game one. He then sent Terry’s second pitch flying over Yogi Berra’s head and out of the park for the win.

In the aftermath of their loss, the Yankees were quick to make a change, dismissing manager Casey Stengel, the 71-year-old genius who had led them to all those championships throughout the 1950s.

The next section highlights the major stories and key events from the 1960 baseball season.

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Headlines from the 1960 Baseball Season

In 1960, Jim Brosnan’s debut baseball novel hit the shelves, and Roger Maris claimed the American League MVP title. Here are some key headlines from the 1960 baseball season:

Lindy McDaniel Saves 26 Games

Few pitchers in the past 40 years were as underrated as Lindy McDaniel. A reliable figure for nearly 21 years, McDaniel served as both a closer and a long reliever, occasionally even starting games. In 1960, he set a National League record with 26 saves. The only blemish on his otherwise stellar career was the fact that he never played for a pennant-winning team.

Jim Brosnan Opens Up

Jim Brosnan's debut book, The Long Season, was a true literary achievement, but it faced backlash from the baseball world. The novel provided a candid account of a pitcher's life throughout a season, spanning from spring training to the conclusion of the 154-game schedule. By 1988, Brosnan discovered that former Cardinals general manager Bing Devine still harbored resentment toward the book. Brosnan's follow-up, Pennant Race, documented his time with the 1961 National League Champion Reds.

Frank Howard Tops National League Rookies

At 6'7", Frank Howard was a standout athlete during his junior year at Ohio State, earning All-America honors in both basketball and baseball. Despite NBA scouts showing interest, he chose to sign with the Dodgers. In 1960, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year, finishing the season with a .268 batting average.

Bobby Richardson and Tony Kubek Energize the 1960 Yankees

In 1960, Yankees shortstop Tony Kubek scored 77 runs, while second baseman Bobby Richardson contributed 45 runs, helping the team secure 97 victories that season.

1960 Yankees Strike Again

The 1960 American League Champion New York Yankees boasted both the league's top offense and its best pitching staff, with each area being a collective effort. Art Ditmar led the team in wins with 15, and Jim Coates added 13 wins for the club.

Dick Groat Posts .325 Batting Average

Dick Groat, who captured the National League batting title in 1960 with a .325 average, became only the third Pirates shortstop to win a hitting crown since 1900. No other National League shortstop has earned this distinction, while the American League has seen players like Luke Appling, Lou Boudreau, Alex Rodriguez, and Nomar Garciaparra claim the honor.

Ernie Banks Shines Both at the Plate and in the Field

In 1960, Ernie Banks made history as the only shortstop to ever lead his league in home runs, with 41, while also winning a Gold Glove in the same season. He was truly the heart and soul of the Cubs that year. Alongside Richie Ashburn, who was the only other player to score more than 58 runs, Banks' remarkable 117 RBIs stood out as an extraordinary feat.

Roger Maris Narrowly Wins MVP Over Mickey Mantle

Roger Maris edged Mickey Mantle by just three votes to win the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1960. Maris led the league in slugging with a .581 average and in RBIs with 112. Mantle, however, dominated in home runs (40), runs scored (119), and total bases (294).

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Additional Headlines from the 1960 Baseball Season

Here are more notable headlines from the 1960 baseball season, including Vern Law's Cy Young victory and the retirement of Ted Williams.

Rocky Colavito Hits 35 Home Runs

Like many power hitters, Rocky Colavito had notable flaws in his batting technique. However, he may have possessed the most powerful arm of any slugger in history. After being traded from Cleveland to Detroit for the 1960 season, Colavito recorded a .474 slugging average, hitting 35 home runs and driving in 87 RBIs. In 1968, during his final season, Colavito was brought in as a relief hitter in a close game by the Yankees. When he secured the win, he became the last non-pitcher in the American League to be credited with a victory.

Vern Law’s 20-9 Record Earns Him the Cy Young Award

Vern Law claimed eight out of 14 votes for the 1960 Cy Young Award after finishing the season with a 20-9 record. The runner-up with four votes was Warren Spahn of the Braves, who had a 21-10 season. Ernie Broglio (21-9) and Lindy McDaniel (12-4) from the Cardinals received one vote each. No American League pitchers were mentioned as none had more than 18 wins. Law was likely the best choice, ranking second in the National League for both wins and win percentage (.690), while also tying for first in complete games. Without him, the Pirates’ pennant-winning season would have been in jeopardy.

Ted Williams Bids Farewell in Grand Fashion

Ted Williams, in his 1939 rookie year, famously said, "All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived." By the time he retired in 1960, the year he hit his 500th career home run, millions had already been echoing those words about him.

The 1960 Pirates Combined Raw Talent and Strategic Acquisitions

The 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates were a blend of home-grown stars and astute trade decisions. A prime example is Roberto Clemente, who was taken from the Dodgers' farm system. That season, Clemente posted a .314 batting average, 16 home runs, and 94 RBIs, solidifying his place as a team leader.

Harvey Haddix and Art Ditmar Clash in 1960 World Series

Before game five of the 1960 World Series, Harvey Haddix of the Pirates and Art Ditmar of the Yankees shook hands. Neither starting pitcher would finish the game, but Haddix earned the win, pitching into the seventh inning as the Pirates triumphed 5-2.

Hal Smith Smacks a Key Home Run in 1960 World Series

In the final game of the 1960 World Series, Pittsburgh catcher Hal Smith hit a crucial three-run home run in the eighth inning. With the Pirates leading 9-7 in the top of the ninth, the Yankees mounted a comeback. Mickey Mantle's savvy baserunning allowed the tying run to score, setting the stage for Bill Mazeroski's game-winning moment.

Bobby Richardson's Key Role Against the 1960 Pirates

In game three of the 1960 World Series, Bobby Richardson hit a grand slam. The second baseman went on to record 12 RBIs throughout the series, playing a pivotal role for the Yankees.

Gino Cimoli Steps Up for the 1960 Pirates

Gino Cimoli, a reserve player during the regular season, scored four runs in the 1960 World Series, tying Bill Mazeroski for the team lead. This performance was the highlight of his ten-year career across eight teams.

The following page showcases the major events and highlights from the 1960 baseball season.

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Key Moments from the 1960 Baseball Season

The 1960 baseball season marked the rise of some iconic players while others bid farewell to the game. Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle kicked off their fierce rivalry, while Ted Williams hit his 500th home run before retiring. Below, discover the key highlights from the 1960 baseball season:

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Additional Highlights from the 1960 Baseball Season

Take a look at more highlights from the 1960 baseball season, featuring a dramatic drop in hits and runs, and numerous Gold Glove accolades:

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