The 1961 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team’s 80th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 70th season in the National League.
New Manager Puts Gibson in Rotation
The season starts poorly and when July rolls around it is time for the Cardinals to make a change. On July 6, with the Cardinals at 33–41, manager Solly Hemus was fired and replaced by 17-yr organizational lifer Johnny Keane. The team went 47–33 under Keane. One of the first things he does as manager is to insert young Bob Gibson into the starting rotation.
Bill White 14 Hits in Two Days
Back-to-back doubleheaders on July 17-18 fines Cardinals first baseman, Bill White, about as hot as a player can get. In this four games that the Cardinals won, he went 8-for-10 in the first one and 6-for-8 the next day. The 14 hits ties a record held by Ty Cobb for most hits n consecutive days.
Cardinals Pounded
The Phillies pound the Cardinals on August 3rd 19-0.
Last season 154 Game Schedule
The Cardinals end in fifth place at 80-74, 13 games behind the Reds. Also, It was the last season before the NL went to a 162-game schedule the following season to adjust for the new ten-team league.
First baseman Bill White and third baseman Ken Boyer won Gold Gloves this year.