Highlighted Year: Ken Hunt, 1961

Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Age: 22

1^st season with Reds

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1961:

A native of Ogden, Utah, Hunt was born into one of the Mormon families that originally migrated to the state. Tall and athletic by the time he reached high school, Hunt achieved all-state recognition in basketball as well as baseball. As a pitcher he hurled two no-hitters, one in which he struck out 21 batters. Receiving a scholarship to Brigham Young University, he signed with the Reds in 1958, receiving a reported bonus of $35,000. Assigned to Visalia of the Class C California League where he experienced problems with his control on the way to a 2-5 record and 9.00 ERA while issuing 75 walks in addition to 34 strikeouts over 54 innings. He also hit 7 batters and unleashed 13 wild pitches. Returning to Visalia in 1959, the newly married Hunt showed some progress while producing a 4-14 tally and 6.66 ERA. The hard-throwing 20-year-old struck out 160 batters while walking 185 over 150 innings. In addition to 16 wild pitches he again hit 7 batters. Moving along to Columbia of the Class A South Atlantic (or Sally) League in 1960 he showed tremendous improvement in compiling a 16-6 record and 2.86 ERA and a league-leading 221 strikeouts while reducing his walks to 134 over 211 innings. Not expected to make the Reds entering spring training in 1961, he pitched his way onto the pitching staff with a fine Grapefruit League performance which featured his fastball with plenty of motion and an effective curve.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 29 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 29

Games Started – 22

Complete Games – 4

Wins – 9

Losses – 10

PCT - .474

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 136.1

Hits – 130

Runs – 70

Earned Runs – 60

Home Runs – 13

Bases on Balls – 66 [16]

Strikeouts – 75 

ERA – 3.96 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 6 [5, tied with six others]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5 

Midseason Snapshot: 9-4, ERA - 3.35, SO – 60 in 102 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 7 (in 9 IP) at San Francisco 5/29

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 7 IP) at Philadelphia 6/16

Batting

PA – 44, AB – 39, R – 0, H – 7, 2B – 2, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 3, BB – 2, SO – 19, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .179, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 3, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 34

Put Outs – 10

Assists – 19

Errors – 5

DP – 2

Pct. - .853

Postseason Pitching: G – 1 (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

GS – 0, CG – 0, GF – 1, Record – 0-0, PCT – .000, ERA – 0.00, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 1, H – 0, R – 0, ER – 0, HR – 0, BB – 1, SO – 1, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 0

Awards & Honors:

NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year: Sporting News

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The Reds went 93-61 to win the NL pennant by 4 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (12), saves (40), fewest hits allowed (1300), and fewest runs allowed (653). The lightly regarded Reds were paced by their formidable hitting and decent starting pitching that featured righthanders Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, and LHP Jim O’Toole, supported by relievers Jim Brosnan and Bill Henry. They put together a 54-30 first half and remained strong down the stretch to hold off the Dodgers and nail down the first Cincinnati pennant since 1940. Lost World Series to the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1. Hunt was impressive during the season’s first half until shoulder soreness set in. He didn’t win a game after July 7 and lost six straight decisions, including his final start on Sept. 4. Utilized in relief thereafter he made one appearance from the bullpen in the World Series.

Aftermath of 1961:

Following the season, Hunt enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard. He reported late to spring training in 1962 amid higher expectations than the previous year but pitched poorly in seven spring appearances. Sent down to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, he split time between San Diego and Macon of the Sally League, producing a combined record of 2-8 with a 7.67 ERA and 34 strikeouts with 80 walks over 61 innings. 1963 was pretty much a repeat performance, splitting time between San Diego and Macon and compiling a combined tally of 7-9 with a 4.50 ERA and 56 strikeouts with 89 walks over 88 innings. Hunt lasted two more seasons in the minor leagues before retiring in 1965, having never regained the form that brought him some success with the Reds in 1961, his only major league season. He blamed changes in his delivery as a result of blisters and shoulder problems with his demise as a pitcher. After baseball he taught English while coaching the baseball and basketball teams at Morgan High School in Utah. He died at age 69 in 2008.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Gene Freese, 1961

Third Baseman, Cincinnati Reds

Age: 27

1^st season with Reds

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 175 

Prior to 1961:

A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Freese excelled as an athlete in high school and at West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University) despite his small stature (he was nicknamed “he Microbe” at that time). Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953 he spent most of his first minor league season with Brunswick of the Class D Georgia-Florida League where he played second base and shortstop and batted .309 with 28 doubles, 7 triples, 9 home runs, 89 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, a .374 on-base percentage, and a .459 slugging percentage. He also began to fill out physically at age 19. Promoted to the New Orleans Pelicans of the Class AA Southern Association in 1954, Freese had an outstanding season, hitting .332 with 30 doubles, 6 triples, 16 home runs, 98 RBIs, a .376 OBP, and a .496 slugging percentage. Defensively he appeared exclusively at second base while his older brother George played at third. The Freese brothers joined the Pirates in 1955, but George only appeared in 51 games before returning to the minors. Gene primarily appeared at third base and also saw significant action at second. In a late May game against the Phillies that went into extra innings, Freese reached first base in the tenth inning with another Pirate on third. A hit to the outfield scored the batter from third but Freese failed to run to second base, instead trotting back to the dugout. The Philadelphia shortstop waved fo center fielder Richie Ashburn to throw him the ball after which he stepped on second base. The umpires declared a force out at second due to Freese’s failure to tag second base before departing the field and the Pittsburgh run was nullified. The Phillies went on to win in the eleventh inning and the newspaper accounts compared Freese’s error to the famous “Merkle’s boner” play in 1908 which proved to have a decisive effect on the pennant race when Giants rookie Fred Merkle also failed to touch second base in similar circumstances. The Pirates were far from being contenders at this, or any other, part of the 1955 season, but the misplay by Freese became a long-remembered highlight (or lowlight) from his career. For his rookie season he batted .253 with 21 doubles, 8 triples, 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .310 OBP. Freese started the 1956 season with the Pirates but in June was sent down to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League where, over the course of 68 games, he hit .274 with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .321 OBP. Receiving a September call-up to the Pirates, for the major league portion of his season he ended up playing in 65 games and batted .208 with 3 home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .273 OBP. He also picked up the long-lasting nickname of “Augie” following an altercation with umpire Augie Donatelli prior to being sent down to Hollywood. Freese was Pittsburgh’s primary third baseman in 1957 while splitting time with Gene Baker and Frank Thomas. He hit .283 with 18 doubles, 6 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .319 OBP. Little used by the Pirates during the early part of the 1958 season, Freese was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in June for utility infielder Dick Schofield and cash. Appearing in 62 games for the Cardinals, mostly at shortstop, second base, and as a pinch-hitter because durable star Ken Boyer was firmly installed at third base, Freese batted .257 with 11 doubles, 6 home runs, 16 RBIs, and a .294 OBP. At season’s end he was dealt again, this time to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Solly Hemus, who was named as manager of the Cardinals for 1959. Not playing regularly for the Phillies at third base in 1959 until June, Freese batted .268 with 23 home runs, 70 RBIs, a .343 OBP, and a .500 slugging percentage. He particularly excelled as a pinch-hitter, in which role he hit .350 in 20 at bats with 5 homers, 13 RBIs, a .364 OBP, and a 1.150 slugging percentage. In the offseason Freese was traded once again, this time to the Chicago White Sox for up-and-coming outfielder Johnny Callison. As the starting third baseman for the White Sox in 1960, he hit .273 with 32 doubles, 6 triples, 17 home runs, 79 RBIs, a .312 OBP, and a .481 slugging percentage. He also performed well defensively. Once again Freese was dealt in the offseason, returning to the National League with the Reds for pitchers Cal McLish and Juan Pizarro.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 152 games

3B – 151, 2B – 1, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 606 [16]

At Bats – 575 [11]

Runs – 78 [16]

Hits – 159 [15]

Doubles – 27 [12, tied with Gordy Coleman & Don Hoak]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 26 [11, tied with Gordy Coleman]

RBI – 87 [13, tied with Gordy Coleman & Vada Pinson]

Bases on Balls – 27

Int. BB – 5

Strikeouts – 78 [14, tied with Frank Thomas]

Stolen Bases – 8 [16, tied with Bill White, Jose Pagan & Jim Gilliam]

Caught Stealing – 2

Average - .277

OBP - .307

Slugging Pct. - .466 [19]

Total Bases – 268 [14]

GDP – 17 [9]

Hit by Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 1

Sac Flies – 3 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 18, HR - 18, RBI - 60, AVG - .296, OBP - .328, SLG - .533

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Philadelphia 6/18

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 3 AB) at LA Dodgers 5/31, (in 4 AB) at LA Dodgers 8/16, (in 3 AB) vs. Pittsburgh 9/19

HR at home – 13

HR on road – 13

Multi-HR games – 3

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Mil. Braves 6/8, at St. Louis 6/11, at LA Dodgers 8/16, vs. Pittsburgh 9/19

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 1 (.000)

Fielding

Chances – 397

Put Outs – 123

Assists – 254

Errors – 20

DP - 23

Pct. - .950 

Postseason Batting: 5 G (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

PA – 19, AB – 16, R – 0, H – 1, 2B – 1,3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 0, BB – 3, IBB – 2, SO – 4, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .063, OBP - .211, SLG - .125, TB – 2, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

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The Reds went 93-61 to win the NL pennant by 4 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while leading the league in doubles (247). The lightly regarded Reds were paced by their formidable hitting, which included Freese, and decent starting pitching that featured righthanders Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, and LHP Jim O’Toole, supported by relievers Jim Brosnan and Bill Henry. They put together a 54-30 first half and remained strong down the stretch to hold off the Dodgers and nail down the first Cincinnati pennant since 1940. Lost World Series to the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1.

Aftermath of 1961:

 A broken ankle suffered during spring training effectively finished Freese for the 1962 season as he appeared in only 18 games. Hitting poorly during the early going in 1963, Freese was sent down to San Diego of the Pacific Coast League in May (much to his displeasure) where he batted .281 in 54 games with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .346 OBP. Returning to the Reds in July he hit .244 for the year in Cincinnati with 6 home runs, 26 RBIs, and a .303 OBP. In the offseason he found himself on the move once again, returning to the Pirates for cash. Primarily a backup to young third baseman Bob Bailey in 1964, Freese appeared in 99 games and batted a mere .225 with 13 doubles, 9 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a .269 OBP. Little used by the Pirates in 1965 he was sold to the Chicago White Sox in August to provide a right-handed bat off the bench and also to act as a prod to underperforming third baseman Pete Ward. In his return to the White Sox he appeared in 17 games and hit .281 with a .368 OBP. His combined season totals were .268 with a home run, 12 RBIs, and a .339 OBP. With his major league career drawing to a close, Freese divided 1966 between the White Sox and Houston Astros with unimpressive results. Released by Houston in the offseason, he played two more seasons in the minors prior to retiring in 1968. For his major league career, Freese batted .254 with 877 hits that included 161 doubles, 28 triples, and 115 home runs. He scored 429 runs and compiled 432 RBIs, a .305 OBP, and a .418 slugging percentage. With the Reds he batted .261 and scored 100 runs with 37 doubles, 3 triples, 32 home runs, 114 RBIs, a .303 OBP, and a .428 slugging percentage. The 1961 World Series marked his only postseason action. A journeyman player who was at his best for the pennant-winning 1961 Reds, following baseball Freese was involved in business in New Orleans that included operating a sports tavern. He was inducted into the New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and died at age 79 in 2013. His brother George, who was a minor league and briefly major league teammate, had a 17-year minor league playing career with only brier stops in the majors.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.

 

Highlighted Year: Gordy Coleman, 1961

First Baseman, Cincinnati Reds

Age: 27 (July 5)

2^nd season with Reds

Bats – Left, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 215 

Prior to 1961:

A native of Rockville, Maryland, Coleman was a four-sport star athlete at Richard Montgomery High School, excelling in football, basketball, and track in addition to baseball. Receiving a football scholarship to Duke University, he played football and baseball as a freshman and he signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1953. Assigned to Reading of the Class A Eastern League, he batted .200 in 13 games and was dropped to the Spartanburg Peaches of the Class B Tri-State League in 1954. Coleman hit .318 in 1954 with 35 doubles, 9 triples, 13 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .368 on-base percentage, and a .484 slugging percentage. Assigned to Keokuk of the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or Three I) League in 1955, he batted .349 with 24 doubles, 16 home runs, 77 RBIs, a .386 OBP, and a .539 slugging percentage. He finished the year with a brief stint in Class AAA with Indianapolis of the American Association. Placed with the Mobile Bears of the Class AA Southern Association in 1956, he was shifted from the outfield to first base and hit .317 with 25 doubles, 8 triples, 27 home runs, 118 RBIs, a .359 OBP, and a .516 slugging percentage. Coleman then joined the Army for the next two years, missing the 1957 and ’58 seasons. Upon returning to baseball in 1959, he was again with Mobile where he won the Southern Association Triple Crown by batting .353 with 30 home runs and 110 RBIs. Receiving a late call-up to Cleveland, he appeared in six games and had 8 hits and 2 runs in 15 at bats for a .533 average and .563 OBP. In the offseason he was traded to the Reds who assigned him to the Seattle Rainiers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1960, where he was hitting .324 with 22 doubles, 9 triples, 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, with a .381 OBP, and a .514 slugging percentage when he was called up to the Reds at midseason. Taking over as the starting first baseman, he hit .271 in 66 games with 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .308 OBP. He further established himself as an able fielder.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 150 games

1B – 150, PH – 8

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 578

At Bats – 520 [20]

Runs – 63

Hits – 149

Doubles – 27 [12, tied with Gene Freese & Don Hoak]

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 26 [11, tied with Gene Freese]

RBI – 87 [13, tied with Gene Freese & Vada Pinson]

Bases on Balls – 45

Int. BB – 11 [6, tied with Billy Williams & Orlando Cepeda]

Strikeouts – 67

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .287 [13]

OBP - .341

Slugging Pct. - .504 [13, tied with Vada Pinson]

Total Bases – 262 [15]

GDP – 9

Hit by Pitches – 2

Sac Hits – 4

Sac Flies – 7 [6, tied with four others]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 22, HR - 18, RBI - 55, AVG - .302, OBP - .350, SLG - .571

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Most hits, game – 5 (in 6 AB) at Mil. Braves 7/2 – 13 innings

Longest hitting streak – 9 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 5 AB) at Philadelphia 6/17, (in 4 AB) at Chi. Cubs 6/28, (in 4 AB) vs. San Francisco 9/23

HR at home – 12

HR on road – 14

Multi-HR games – 3

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. San Francisco 9/23

Pinch-hitting – 4 for 7 (.571) with 3 R & 1 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 1294

Put Outs – 1162

Assists – 121

Errors – 11

DP - 93

Pct. - .991

Postseason Batting: 5 G (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

PA – 20, AB – 20, R – 2, H – 5, 2B – 0,3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 2, BB – 0, IBB – 0, SO – 1, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .250, OBP - .250, SLG - .400, TB – 8, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

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The Reds went 93-61 to win the NL pennant by 4 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while leading the league in doubles (247). The lightly regarded Reds were paced by their formidable hitting, which included Coleman, and decent starting pitching that featured righthanders Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, and LHP Jim O’Toole, supported by relievers Jim Brosnan and Bill Henry. They put together a 54-30 first half and remained strong down the stretch to hold off the Dodgers and nail down the first Cincinnati pennant since 1940. Lost World Series to the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1 and Coleman homered in Game 2 to spark a 6-2 win, Cincinnati’s only victory.

Aftermath of 1961:

Coleman followed up with another solid season in 1962, batting .277 with 28 home runs, 86 RBIs, a .331 OBP, and a .485 slugging percentage. He again ranked among the league's better fielding first basemen. Overweight and bothered by injuries and a major slump in 1963, his production dropped to .247 with 20 doubles, 14 home runs, 59 RBIs, a .303 OBP, and a .427 slugging percentage. Utilized in a backup and pinch-hitting role in 1964 as Deron Johnson became the regular first baseman, Coleman appeared in only 89 games and hit .242 with 6 doubles, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs, and a .291 OBP. Platooning at first base with rookie Tony Perez in 1965, he saw more action and his production improved to .302 with 19 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs, a .348 OBP, and a .489 slugging percentage. Platooning again in 1966, Coleman batted .360 as a pinch-hitter and overall hit .251 with 5 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .299 OBP. Little used by the Reds in 1967, he was sent down to the Buffalo Bisons of the Class AAA International League, where he hit poorly and finished the season, and his career, with Spokane of the Pacific Coast League. For his major league career, which was played entirely with the Reds, Coleman batted .273 with 650 hits that included 102 doubles, 11 triples, and 98 home runs. He scored 282 runs and compiled 387 RBIs, a .324 OBP, and a .448 slugging percentage. As a pinch-hitter he hit .350 in 120 at bats with 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 32 RBIs, a .416 OBP, and a .475 slugging percentage. The 1961 World Series marked his only postseason action. Following his playing career, he made numerous public relations appearances for the Reds and became a television commentator for the club’s games while remaining active in the Cincinnati community until his death from a heart attack at age 59 in 1994. He was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1972. In 2009 his high school named its new baseball venue Gordy Coleman Field. Three years later he was posthumously inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Jim Brosnan, 1961

Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Age:  31

3^rd season with Reds (2^nd complete)

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 197 

Prior to 1961:

A Cincinnati native, Brosnan early on displayed intelligence and a dedication to learning in addition to being a baseball fan and pitcher for an American Legion team. A few months after graduating from high school in 1946, the 17-year-old Brosnan signed with the Chicago Cubs for $2500. Initially assigned to Elizabethton of the Class D Appalachian League in 1947, he displayed a good fastball and impressive curve while posting a 17-8 record with a 3.04 ERA and 171 strikeouts over 228 innings. Brosnan experienced difficulties in 1948 and, while pitching for Fayetteville of the Class B Tri-State League, he quit the team and returned home after a particularly bad outing. He returned and went on to finish with a 7-13 tally and 5.16 ERA with Fayetteville and Springfield of the New England League. Mentored by Arthur Meyerhoff, a Cubs stockholder, Brosnan underwent psychoanalysis which helped the introverted loner deal with his personality issues. His pitching improved when assigned to Macon of the Class A South Atlantic (or Sally) League in 1949, as he produced a 9-11 record with a 3.77 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 148 innings. With two teams in 1950 he went a combined 5-6 with a dreadful 7.71 ERA and exhibited a poor attitude. Afterward he entered Army service for two years where he pitched for the service team in Fort Meade, Maryland. The newly married pitcher resumed his minor league career in 1953 with Springfield of the Class AAA International League, where his record was a miserable 4-17 with a 4.70 ERA. Distraught about the course of his baseball career, he was surprised to be invited to spring training with the pitching-deprived Cubs in 1954. Following 18 relief appearances with the Cubs that resulted in a 1-0 tally and 9.45 ERA, he was sent down to Beaumont of the Class AA Texas League where he developed a slider and went 7-1 with a 2.78 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 68 innings. Advancing to Los Angeles of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1955, Brosnan produced a 17-10 mark with a 2.38 ERA and 133 strikeouts over 223 innings pitched. Having filled out physically, as well to having developed as a pitcher, he returned to the Cubs in 1956 and as a reliever who occasionally started, he put together a modest 5-9 tally with a 3.79 ERA, one save, one shutout, and 51 strikeouts over 95 innings for the cellar-dwelling club. Used far more as a reliever in 1957 he showed improvement in posting a 5-5 record and 3.38 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 98.2 innings pitched. The glasses-wearing hurler was becoming known for his intellectual pursuits and eccentric tastes more than his pitching performance. In 1958 he got off to a good start as a member of the starting rotation and was 3-4 with a 3.14 ERA when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in May for veteran infielder Alvin Dark. He returned to a starter-reliever role and was at his best out of the bullpen. With the Cardinals he was 8-4 with 7 saves, a 3.44 ERA, and 65 strikeouts over 115 innings. During the season, he was published for the first time in Sports Illustrated. He had been keeping a diary and the published excerpt received positive reviews and led to the publishing of his diary of the 1959 season that became a book called The Long Season which contained his often wry observations about life as a major league baseball player. As for that 1959 season, Brosnan was now largely relegated to the bullpen and was dealt to the Reds in June and for the year went 9-6 with 4 saves, a 3.79 ERA, and 74 strikeouts over 116.1 innings. Taking some criticism for revealing too much about players’ difficulties (although unlike Jim Bouton’s Ball Four several years later, he avoided comments about other players’ personal lives) in his book, he did receive good reviews in general. His performance with the Reds in 1960 was almost entirely in relief and resulted in a 7-2 tally in 57 appearances with 12 saves, a 2.36 ERA, and 62 strikeouts over 99 innings. He was now becoming acclaimed as both a relief pitcher and writer.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 53 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 53 [9, tied with Don McMahon, Ron Perranoski & Larry Sherry]

Games Started – 0

Games Finished – 34 [5, tied with Larry Sherry]

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 10

Losses – 4

PCT - .714 [Non-qualifying]

Saves – 16 [3, tied with Bill Henry]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 80

Hits – 77

Runs – 34

Earned Runs – 27

Home Runs – 7

Bases on Balls – 18

Strikeouts – 40

ERA – 3.04 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 0

Balks – 1 [8, tied with fourteen others]

Wild Pitches – 1

Midseason Snapshot: 5-2, ERA - 2.95, G – 29, SV – 13, SO - 20 in 39.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 4 (in 3 IP) at Chi. Cubs 9/26

10+ strikeout games – 0

Batting

PA – 15, AB – 13, R – 1, H – 2, 2B – 0, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 1, BB – 1, SO – 6, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .154, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 1, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances – 30

Put Outs – 9

Assists – 18

Errors – 3

DP – 0

Pct. - .900

Postseason Pitching: G – 3 (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

GS – 0, CG – 0, GF – 1, Record – 0-0, PCT – .000, SV – 0, ShO – 0, IP – 6, H – 9, R – 5, ER – 5, HR – 0, BB – 4, SO – 5, ERA – 7.50, HB – 0, BLK – 0, WP – 2

Awards & Honors:

20^th in NL MVP voting (3 points – 1% share)

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The Reds went 93-61 to win the NL pennant by 4 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching staff led the league in shutouts (12), saves (40), fewest hits allowed (1300), and fewest runs allowed (653). The lightly regarded Reds were paced by their formidable hitting and decent starting pitching that featured righthanders Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, and LHP Jim O’Toole, supported by relievers Brosnan and Bill Henry. They put together a 54-30 first half and remained strong down the stretch to hold off the Dodgers and nail down the first Cincinnati pennant since 1940. Lost World Series to the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1.

Aftermath of 1961:

The Reds dropped to third in 1962 but Brosnan remained effective from the bullpen, posting a 4-4 record with a 3.34 ERA, 13 saves, and 51 strikeouts over 64.2 innings pitched. Nicknamed “Professor”, he was writing regularly on baseball for a variety of publications as well as a book about the 1961 season called Pennant Race. Early into the 1963 season the Reds traded him to the Chicago White Sox, where he became part of an outstanding bullpen. He appeared in 45 games for the Chisox and was 3-8 with a 2.84 ERA, 15 saves, and 46 strikeouts over 73 innings. Having been banned from writing during the season by the front office, and facing a pay cut that made him more inclined to submit articles for publication, he was released just prior to spring training in 1964 and was unable to catch on with another club, thus ending his baseball career. For his major league career, Brosnan pitched in 385 games and compiled a 55-47 record with a 3.54 ERA, 68 saves, and 507 strikeouts over 831.1 innings. With the Reds he made 190 appearances with a 29-14 tally, 3.04 ERA, 43 saves, and 213 strikeouts over 331.2 innings. The 1961 World Series marked his only postseason action. After baseball he wrote for an advertising agency as well as continuing to write free-lance articles and books on baseball geared to younger readers. Having made a name for himself as an athlete with literary talent who wrote his own material about his experiences in baseball (rather than with the aid of a ghostwriter), Brosnan died at age 84 in 2014.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

MVP Profile: Frank Robinson, 1961

Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds

Age:  26 (Aug. 31)

6^th season with Reds

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 183 

Prior to 1961:

Born in Beaumont, Texas, Robinson moved with his family to California at a young age. He first played organized baseball with an American Legion team in Oakland prior to starring at McClymonds High School. Signed by the Reds upon his graduation in 1953, he was first assigned to Ogden of the Class C Pioneer League where he appeared in 72 games and batted .348 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs. Moving on to Columbia of the Class A South Atlantic League in 1954 following a brief stint with Tulsa of the Texas League, Robinson hit .336 with 25 home runs. Back with Columbia in 1955 he was bothered by a shoulder injury that briefly caused his move from the outfield to first base and played in only 80 games in which he hit .263 with 12 home runs. His shoulder having recovered following extended rest, Robinson made the jump to the Reds and became the starting left fielder in 1956. The club tied the existing major league team record for home runs helped by Robinson’s tying of the rookie record with 38, to go along with 83 RBIs and a .290 average. He received NL Rookie of the Year recognition. He followed up with another strong season in 1957 in which he batted .322 with 29 home runs and 75 RBIs. With a batting stance that had him leaning over the plate, he drew many inside pitches and was among the leaders in being hit by pitches. Robinson received a Gold Glove for his outfield play in 1958, a year in which, following a beaning during the spring that caused him headaches, he also hit .269 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs. His batting average came back up to .311 in 1959 along with 36 home runs and 125 RBIs. Robinson’s tendency to slide hard into bases, which often resulted in his spiking opposing fielders, led to a notable brawl against the Braves when he slid hard into third baseman Eddie Mathews. Despite several nagging injuries he went on to hit .297 for the year along with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs and a league-leading .595 slugging percentage. In the offseason he was arrested for pulling a gun on a short order cook who had refused to serve him, which led to a fine. Robinson was shifted to right field for the 1961 season.

1961 Season Summary

Appeared in 153 games

RF – 92, LF – 59, CF – 4, PH – 4, 3B – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 636 [13]

At Bats – 545 [17]

Runs – 117 [2]

Hits – 176 [6, tied with Willie Mays]

Doubles – 32 [3, tied with Willie Mays & Ron Santo]

Triples – 7 [13, tied with Don Hoak & Billy Williams]

Home Runs – 37 [3]

RBI – 124 [2]

Bases on Balls – 71 [7]

Int. BB – 23 [1]

Strikeouts – 64

Stolen Bases – 22 [3]

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .323 [6]

OBP - .404 [2]

Slugging Pct. - .611 [1]

Total Bases – 333 [4]

GDP – 15 [14, tied with Harvey Kuenn]

Hit by Pitches – 10 [2]

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 10 [1]

League-leading int. bases on balls drawn were +2 ahead of runner-up Ernie Banks

League-leading slugging pct was +.002 ahead of runner-up Orlando Cepeda

League-leading sac flies were +1 ahead of runners-up Hank Aaron & Gus Bell

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 13, 3B – 5, HR – 23, RBI – 70, AVG - .328, . SLG – .642, OBP – .422

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at St. Louis 6/11, (in 4 AB) at LA Dodgers 7/9

Longest hitting streak – 19 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 4 AB) at Pittsburgh 5/14, (in 4 AB) at LA Dodgers 7/9, (in 5 AB) at Chi. Cubs 7/28

HR at home – 17

HR on road – 20

Multi-HR games – 3

Most RBIs, game – 7 at LA Dodgers 7/9

Pinch-hitting – 2 for 4 (.500) with 1 3B, 1 R & 1 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 302

Put Outs – 284

Assists – 15

Errors – 3

DP – 3

Pct. - .990

Postseason Batting: 5 G (World Series vs. NY Yankees)

PA – 20, AB – 15, R – 3, H – 3, 2B – 2,3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 4, BB – 3, IBB – 0, SO – 4, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .200, OBP - .400, SLG -.533, TB – 8, GDP – 0, HBP – 2, SH – 0, SF – 0

Awards & Honors:

NL MVP: BBWAA

All-Star

Top 5 in NL MVP Voting:

Frank Robinson, Cin.: 219 pts. – 15 of 16 first place votes, 98% share

Orlando Cepeda, SF: 117 pts. – 52% share

Vada Pinson, Cin.: 104 pts.  – 46% share

Roberto Clemente, Pitt.: 81 pts. – 36% share

Joey Jay, Cin.: 74 pts. – 1 first place vote, 33% share

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Reds went 93-61 to win the NL pennant by 4 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while leading the league in doubles (247). The lightly regarded Reds were paced by their formidable hitting, led by Robinson, and decent starting pitching that featured righthanders Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, and LHP Jim O’Toole, supported by relievers Jim Brosnan and Bill Henry. They put together a 54-30 first half and remained strong down the stretch to hold off the Dodgers and nail down the first Cincinnati pennant since 1940. Lost World Series to the New York Yankees, 4 games to 1.

Aftermath of ‘61:

Robinson followed up with another outstanding season in 1962, topping the NL in slugging percentage for the third straight year at .624. He also paced the circuit with 134 runs scored and 51 doubles. In addition, he hit .342 with 39 home runs and 136 RBIs and placed fourth in league MVP balloting. Nagging injuries led to a down year in 1963 as Robinson was limited to 140 games and batted .259 with 21 home runs and 91 RBIs. He furthermore expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s front office. Robinson rebounded with the contending Reds in 1964, hitting .306 with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs and finishing fourth in MVP voting. He was still solid in 1965, batting .296 with 33 home runs and 113 RBIs. In the offseason he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in a blockbuster trade in which Cincinnati received three players, the most significant being RHP Milt Pappas. Bringing his intensity, leadership, and talent to the Orioles Robinson won the AL Triple Crown in 1966 by hitting .316 with 49 home runs and 122 RBIs. Baltimore won the AL pennant and swept the Dodgers in the World Series in which Robinson was named MVP after hitting .286 with two home runs and three RBIs in a Series dominated by Baltimore’s pitching. He was league MVP also, becoming the first player to become MVP in both the NL and AL. The Orioles dropped in the standings in 1967 and Robinson missed several weeks following a collision with second baseman Al Weis of the White Sox, which caused a concussion and ensuing double vision. He still ended up batting .311 with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs while appearing in 129 games. Hindered by injuries and illness in 1968, he hit only .268 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs. In the offseason he managed in the Puerto Rican Winter League, setting the stage for his post-playing career. 1969 marked the beginning of divisional play in major league baseball and the Orioles topped the new AL East. Robinson contributed 32 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .308 batting average, and outstanding leadership. He hit two more home runs in the postseason which ended with Baltimore losing to the upstart New York Mets. The Orioles again won the AL East in 1970 and this time won the World Series. Robinson batted .306 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs. Baltimore made it three straight pennants in 1971 and Robinson hit .281 with 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. It proved to be the end of the road for him as an Oriole. In the offseason he was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a six-player trade. He batted .251 in an injury-plagued season in 1972 with 19 home runs and 59 RBIs over 103 games. He was traded once again in the offseason, this time to nearby Anaheim and the California Angels, which reunited him with former Baltimore GM Harry Dalton. The once-outstanding outfielder was primarily utilized as a Designated Hitter in 1973 and batted .266 with 30 home runs and 97 RBIs. He had a lesser season in 1974 in which he was dealt to the Cleveland Indians in September. Overall, he hit .245 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs. In the offseason he was named manager of the Indians, becoming the first African-American manager in AL/NL history. He finished his playing career in 1975 and ’76 as a player/manager for the Indians. He played rarely and almost exclusively as a DH or pinch-hitter. For his major league career, Robinson batted .294 with 2943 hits that included 528 doubles, 72 triples, and 586 home runs. He further scored 1829 runs and compiled 1812 RBIs and 204 stolen bases. He was hit by pitches 198 times, a category which he led either the NL or AL seven times. A 14-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Robinson finished in the Top 10 in MVP voting eleven times. With the Reds he batted .303 with 1673 hits, 318 doubles, 50 triples, 324 home runs, 1009 RBIs, 1043 runs scored, and 161 stolen bases. Appearing in 35 postseason games, he hit .238 with 10 home runs and 19 RBIs. The Reds, Orioles, and Indians retired Robinson’s #20 and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. In addition to the Indians, Robinson managed the Giants, Orioles, and Expos/Nationals, his teams compiling a record of 1065-1176. He was an assistant general manager for the Orioles and major league baseball’s Vice-President of On-Field Operations from 1999-2002. The Reds further honored him with a statue at Great American Ballpark and induction into their team Hall of Fame. The Orioles honored him in similar fashion. Robinson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005. He died at age 83 in 2019.

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MVP Profiles feature players in the National or American leagues who were winners of the Chalmers Award (1911-14), League Award (1922-29), or Baseball Writers’ Association of America Award (1931 to present) as Most Valuable Player.