1961 Profile: Clete Boyer

"Very few are in this fellow's class as a fielder, whether he's at shortstop or third base. Boyer won a regular role in 1960 and surprised with 14 homers.

Born in Cassville, Missouri, Boyer was first with the Athletics in 1955 and '56. He spent the next three seasons in the minors until the Yanks called him from Richmond in '59.

Fast and rangy, he is too good a fielder to keep on the bench despite a .242 figure in '60."

-Don Schiffer, The Major League Baseball Handbook 1961

1960

June 17: Hits home run and double in win over White Sox.

July 3: Beats Tigers, 7-6, with two-run homer in 7th.

July 7: Ties Orioles with home run; Yanks win.

September 28: Hits home run and two singles in win over Nats.

Comment: "A promising young player, Boyer showed well in his first real chance with the Yankees."

-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1961

"Baseball and Boyers just to seem to grow together. Cletis, the Yankee third baseman, is one of five brothers who have played professional ball. He's one of 13 children, seven boys and six girls. Ken, the All-Star third baseman of the Cardinals, has been the outstanding player to date, but 24-year-old Clete has the ability to equal his brother's success.

A fine fielder (he's equally at home at third or short), the Yanks' Boyer has good power, but to date has not hit for average. When he finally became a regular during the 1960 season he belted 14 home runs and cemented his hold on the hot corner.

Clete signed a bonus contract with Kansas City early in 1955 after the Yankees and several other clubs made an earnest effort to sign him. After two years on the A's bench, the Yanks finally landed Clete in a big deal and sent him to the minors for seasoning.

He developed a great 'glove' ... and now hopes to match that with a great 'stick.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

Cletis Leroy Boyer (IF)     #34

Born February 8, 1937, in  Cassville, Missouri, resides in Webb City, Missouri. Height: 6-0, Weight: 180. Bats right, throws right. 

Married and father of two girls, Valerie (4) and Stephanie (1).

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

"One of the youngest members of the Yankees, Clete Boyer was the Yankees' regular third baseman last summer. The versatile (he can also play second and short) six-footer batted .242 and had 20 doubles, one triple and 14 homers among his 95 hits.

Originally signed by Kansas City in 1955 as a bonus baby, Boyer came to New York in June of 1957. However, it wasn't until 1959 that he made the varsity, on a part-time basis. In his two seasons with the Athletics, Cletis had seen limited service.

The Yanks shipped him to Binghamton of the Eastern League in '57. In '58 he was promoted to Richmond of the International League. With the Virginians, Boyer batted .284, slugged 22 homers and was credited with 71 runs batted in. He was also with the ILers part of '59 and again showed good power at the plate.

The 24-year-old native of Cassville, Missouri, is a younger brother of Ken Boyer of the St. Louis Cardinals. Another brother, Cloyd, saw some big-league service with the A's.

Clete has one of the strongest throwing arms in the majors. With the experience gained last season to go along with his natural ability and desire, Boyer should be one of the American League's top performers in the not too distant future."

-New York Yankees 1961 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)

"Baseball and Boyers just seem to grow together. Cletis, the Yankee third baseman, is one of five brothers who have played professional ball. He's one of 13 children, seven boys and six girls. 

Ken, the All-Star third baseman of the Cardinals, has been the outstanding player to date, but 24-year-old Clete has the ability to equal his brother's success. Just about the finest fielding third baseman in the American League (he's equally at home at third or short), the Yankees' Boyer has good power but through the 1960 season hadn't hit for average. When he finally became a regular during the 1960 season he blasted 14 home runs and cemented his hold on the hot corner. In 1961 Clete anchored the Yankees' classy defensive infield.

He signed a bonus contract with Kansas City early in 1955 after the Yankees and several other clubs made an earnest effort to sign him. After two years on the A's bench, the Yanks finally landed him in a big deal and sent him to the minors for seasoning.

Cletis is married and has two daughters. The six-foot, 180-pound righthander lives in Webb City, Missouri."

-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program