1961 in baseball

Headline event of the year

• Roger Maris hits 61 home runs, breaking Babe Ruth's record.

Champions

Major League Baseball

• World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4–1); Whitey Ford, MVP
• All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 (10 innings)
• All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie (9 innings, rain)

Other champions

• College World Series: USC
• Japan Series: Yomiuri Giants over Nankai Hawks (4–2)
• Little League World Series: Northern, El Cajon, California

Awards and honors

• Most Valuable Player
• Roger Maris (AL)
• Frank Robinson (NL)
• Cy Young Award
• Whitey Ford, New York Yankees
• Rookie of the Year
• Don Schwall (AL)
• Billy Williams (NL)

MLB statistical leaders