Sixty-One: The Team, the Record, the Men

The 1961 New York Yankees were arguably one of the two or three greatest teams in baseball history, ending as world champions, as they did so often between 1949 and 1962. Kubek played shortstop for the team and here, joined by Ohio sportswriter Pluto, relives that year. The stars were Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford and Roger Maris, whose 61 home runs surpassed Babe Ruth's record. The first section of the book is devoted to Maris and is a pitch for the late star outfielder's election to the Hall of Fame. Then there is a reprise of the season, with a splendid passage on the drama of the 61st home run, followed by interviews with the team members about their lives in that banner year and afterward. Photos not seen by PW. (March 18)