1961: Sep. 10 Maris 56, Mantle 53. Mickey's last harrah.

Part of a series that started with August 1, 1961.

Roger Maris and Yankee teammate Mickey Mantle engaged in a home race during a pennant race, both trying to pass the season record of 60 home runs hit in 1927 by Yankee Babe Ruth.

In 1961 the American League expanded from 8 to 10 teams and increased its schedule from 154 to 162 games. Both the 1927 and 1961 Yankees played one tie game:

- Thursday, April 14, 1927 Philadelphia Athletics 9, Yankees 9 after ten innings; no home runs

- Saturday April 22, 1961 in Baltimore: Orioles won game one 5-3; game two: 5-5 tie after 7 innings.  Only Bill Skowron (bases loaded) homered for the Yankees that day.

This was 1961 Yankee game 145 (99-45-1). Mantle hit number 53. In 1927 Yankee game 145 (102-42-1) Ruth still sitting on number 53. This is the last time Mantle will be close to Maris (56).

Sunday, September 10, 1961

Start Time: 5:30 p.m. Local

Attendance: 57,824

Venue: Yankee Stadium I

Game Duration: 2:20

Day Game, on grass

Second game of doubleheader, see First game (Yankees won 7-6).

Yankees 9, Indians 3

HR: Mickey Mantle (53, off Jim Perry, 3rd inn, 0 on, 1 out to Deep RF)

Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	RS	RA	pythW-L%
NYY	99	45	.688	--	764	556	.641
DET	87	56	.608	11.5	736	595	.596
BAL	87	60	.592	13.5	643	538	.581
CHW	78	67	.538	21.5	683	645	.526
CLE	71	74	.490	28.5	664	678	.490
BOS	70	76	.479	30.0	676	733	.463
LAA	63	80	.441	35.5	651	694	.471
MIN	61	81	.430	37.0	632	706	.450
KCA	53	90	.371	45.5	625	789	.395
WSA	52	92	.361	47.0	561	701	.399