1961 Profile: Jim Coates

"Coates reeled off nine consecutive victories in 1960 before batters caught up with him. He was hit rather hard as a starter and then showed surprisingly well as a reliever, finishing with a 13-3 figure. He throws a good fastball and now has a tricky changeup to fool hitters

Born in Farnham, Virginia, Coates was in the minors for five seasons, reaching the Yanks for his first trial in 1956. He came back in '59 and was strong at the season's close with a 6-1 standard and a 2.87 ERA."

Don Schiffer, The Major League Baseball Handbook 1961

1960

April 19: Downs Red Sox, 8-4, on 9-hitter.

April 30: Shuts out Orioles, 16-0, on eight hits.

May 28: Tops Nats, 5-1, on 8-hitter.

June 7: Checks White Sox, 5-2, on 4-hitter.

June 14: Halts A's, 6-2, on 6-hitter.

June 19: Goes 8 1/3 with three RBIs in win over Chisox.

June 29: Blanks A's, 10-0, on three hits for ninth in a row.

July 6: Named to American League All-Star squad.

July 9: Red Sox end his two-year streak of 12 wins.

September 18: Checks Orioles second straight day in relief.

Comment: "He's not as good as his 13-3 record indicates (he had strong batting support)."

-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1961

"Lanky Jim Coates (6' 4") won his first nine starts last year and went on to have a highly respectable 13-3 season, following a 6-1 freshman year in 1959. At this rate, Jim will never get accustomed to losing. His .813 won-lost percentage topped the American League in 1960. Eighteen of his 35 appearances last year were as a starter.

His role as a starter, long relief man or a combination of both depends on Jim's performance and the development of the remainder of the staff this year. Whatever his assignment, the 28-year-old Virginian will give it all he has. A fiery competitor, Jim aims to keep on winning for the Yankees. Nothing would please the Yankees more."

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

James Alton Coates (P)     #39

Born August 4, 1932 in Farnham, Virginia, resides in Village, Va. Height: 6-4, weight: 180. Bats right, throws right. 

Married and father of one boy, James (2), and one girl, Jane (1).

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

"After a brilliant start last year, Jim Coates ran into a bit of rough sledding during mid-season, but he rallied and finished strong as his 13-3 record indicates.

The 6'4" righty was the Yankees' stopper during the early stages of 1960 and later saw bullpen duty before returning to the starting rotation. In two seasons of big-league competition, Coates has compiled a 19-4 record and has shown fine control. The lanky Virginian is also one of the better hitting pitchers in the game today. His 12 hits last summer included four doubles and he drove home six runs. In addition, he sacrificed successfully on eight occasions.

Jim broke into Organized Ball with Olean in 1952 and made stops at Joplin, Binghamton, Norfolk, Birmingham and Richmond before reaching the Stadium. A sore arm in 1958 limited him to 29 innings and almost ended his career just short of the big time.

Coates will be 29 this August and should be one of the members of Ralph Houk's starting brigade. He has a nice assortment of pitches and works with his head as well with his arm. And, the Yankees always seem to do their best at the plate when Jim is pitching. Of course, his bat hasn't hurt the cause, either.

Jim is married and has two children."

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

"As this was written, lanky Jim Coates had an 11-5 record for the year, as a starter and long-relief man. This record bought his major league totals to a stunning 30 wins and only nine losses.

Lanky Jim Coates (6-4) won his first nine starts in 1960 and went on to a highly respectable 13-3 season, following a 6-1 freshman year in 1959. His .813 won-lost percentage topped the American League in 1960. 18 of his 35 appearances last year were as a starter. Coates has been in one World Series and one All-Star Game.

Jim's versatility proved extremely helpful to Ralph Houk- his ability to start games when needed and to serve as the middle relief man. A fiery competitor, the 29-year-old right-hander gives it all he has.

Coates, who weighs 180 pounds, broke into pro ball at Olean in 1952. He lives with his wife and son and daughter in Village, Virginia."

-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program

1961 Profile: Al Downing

"The addition of southpaw Al Downing to the Yankee pitching staff on July 17 is one of the surprising developments of the 1961 baseball season. A year earlier he was still an amateur. The first Negro pitcher in Yankee history was signed by new scout Bill Yancey late last summer after starring in New Jersey baseball circles.

Expected to be assigned to a low-classification club, the youngster (he was then only 19) made an immediate impression at the Yankees' minor league spring training camp in April. He was given a shot at the Binghamton, N.Y. club in the Class A Eastern League. In one half-season, Al started a dozen games and pitched 98 innings, yielding 70 hits, striking out 98 and walking just 46 [1.224 WHIP] while pitching eight complete games. He was 9-1 when called up to the Yankees when sore arms plagued the varsity staff. He had a 1.90 earned run average in his brief Eastern League career and was named to the league's All-Star team, but reported to the Yankees the day he was scheduled to pitch in the Eastern's All-Star Game.

At Trenton Central High School, Downing was baseball and basketball captain as a senior and was All-State as a senior. In 1955, at the age of 14, he pitched his Babe Ruth League team to the state title and in 1956 he hurled his club to the Babe Ruth League World Championship.

Al has had first base and outfield experience and is a better than average hitter. If he can help the Yankees in the stretch, his story will match Roland Sheldon's sensational rise to the majors."

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

Alfonso Erving Downing (P)     #24

Born June 28, 1941, in Trenton, N.J., where he resides. Height: 5-11, weight: 175. Bats right, throws left.

-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook

"The addition of southpaw Al Downing to the Yankee pitching staff on July 17, 1961 was one of the surprising developments of the 1961 baseball season. The rookie southpaw has all the tools to become a big Yankee winner in the future. In the heat of the pennant drive, the 20-year-old Trenton, N.J., prospect did not see much action. But he'll be heard from.

A year earlier the 5-11, 175-pound southpaw was still an amateur. The first Negro pitcher in Yankee history was signed last year after starring in New Jersey baseball circles. Expected to be assigned to a low-classification club, the youngster (he was then 19) made an immediate impression at the Yankees' minor league spring training camp last April.

He was given a shot at the Binghamton, N.Y., club in the Class-A Eastern League. In one half-season, Al was 9-1 when he was called up to the Yankees when sore arms plagued the varsity staff. He had a 1.90 ERA earned run average in his brief Eastern League career.

At Trenton Central High School, Downing was baseball and basketball captain as a senior. He was All-State in his senior year. In 1955, at age 14, he pitched his Babe Ruth League team to the state title and in 1956 to the World Championship.

He lives in Trenton, New Jersey."

-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program