How good were the 1961 Yankees

#mlb #Yankees #baseball

[SI-gsrj]

I would say that the 1998 Yankees who went 114-48 and swept through the playoffs and World Series were one of the strongest teams in baseball history. Anchored by the Core Four of Jeter, Posada, Rivera, and Petitte, they were solid at every position, also stacked with team players like Paul O’Neill and Scott Brosius.

[Mike-gp]

I loved the Yankees when I was growing up. One thing to consider, I think, is that the AL expanded by 2 teams that year. That generally tends to weaken the pitching. The year before, Mantle and Maris were 1-2 in HR with 40 and 39. In '61, they hit 61 and 54. Also, Ford was my favorite pitcher, and 25-4 is great. But a 3.21 or 3.24 ERA is pretty high for such a great won-loss. Mantle was my favorite baseball player, and baseball was my favorite sport.

[drbonesshow]

Funny thing about the powerhouse 1961 New York Yankees: they finished the season 109-53-1 with a tie game 5-5 (7th inning) in game 2 of an April 22nd double-header where they lost the 1st game.

[donaldfleming]

The 1978 Yenkees weren't so shabby either.

[alanstrong]

It was a winning team by far. The Yankees endured such a slump after 1962. Took 15 long years to bring em back to the top. They will rise again.

[georgesouthwick]

I saw an interview with Mickey Mantle where he said the 1961 and 1962 Yankees were the best teams he played on.

[waltonwarrior]

No question the 61 Yankees stand alone as one of the greatest all time sports franchise teams. However I would love to see a World Series with a 61 Yankees versus the 27 Yankees. Have everyone healthy and I think the 61 Yankees win.

[garyfaught]

The '61 club was so good the dominated the Reds with virtually no support from Maris or Mantle. Only three hits between the two of them over five games, although Maris' homer won game three if I am not mistaken.

[TheBatugan]

Three catchers with 20 HRs... although Yogi played a lot of LF that year.

[jamesmorris]

They beat my Reds in 61. I was 7 at the time. It's all l heard in the nieborhood. All the adults were talking about it. You know what I'm talking about. When ur 7 you are like a sponge, you remember everything. One question, how did the Reds win a game?Reds did well later especially in 76. These Yankees were awesome ⚾️

[mortykatz]

Overall I think the 1998 team was better but 1961 team was great. The 27 team the best, then 98, in 3rd the 61 team- 98 team most balanced in the modern age

[johntaormina]

They weren't that good ! They were GREAT. They beat out my Tigers by 12 games . 😥

[jmkeupp]

The 1961 Yankees were certainly not their best team. It was the first year of expansion play which aided them and they had a weak bench.