1961 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
1960
July 22: Purchased from Jersey City of International League.
July 26: Saves 6-1 win over Indians.
August 27: Saves against Indians second day in a row.
September 7: Goes two and a half to beat Chisox in relief.
September 24: Stops Bosox in 9th and 10th to win No. 5.
September 25: Checks Bosox in 9th in pennant clincher.
Comment: "Arroyo, a screwball specialist who has made the rounds, served the Yankees well in the stretch."
-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1961
"When the Yankees were looking desperately for pitching help last season, they brought up Bill Stafford as a starting pitcher from their Richmond International League farm, and chunky little Luis Arroyo from Jersey City, also in the International League. The two gave the staff a needed lift and the Yankees won going away in the stretch.
Arroyo is no newcomer to big-league baseball. He's had stints with the Pirates, Cardinals and Reds in the National League with varying success. But his screwball and low sinker proved tough for American League hitters for a few innings and he hopes for more innings this year.
Luis, a native Puerto Rican and the father of five children, got a bad break this spring when a batting practice line drive broke a bone in his pitching wrist. But he was ready to work when the season started. He pitched last winter for San Juan and was the MVP in the Puerto Rican Winter League."
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
Luis Enrique Arroyo (P) #47
Born February 18, 1927 in Puenuelas, Puerto Rico, resides in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Height: 5-8 1/2, weight: 190. Bats left, throws left.
Married and father of four boys, Sol (13), Luis E. (11), Harold (9) and Luis (5), and one girl, Marta Miriel (6 months).
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
"Stocky Luis Arroyo was toiling for the Havana Sugar Kings of the International League last summer when the franchise was transferred to Jersey City because of the tension in Cuba. The southpaw had been in the majors with the Cardinals, Pirates and Reds and seemed destined to finish his playing days in the minors.
When the Yankees' Richmond team was in Jersey City for a series last season, several of the Yankee scouts were on hand to see who on the Virginians was ready to help the Yankees. The player who struck their eye was with Jersey, a 5'8 1/2" reliever who tipped the scales at a solid 190, 33-year-old Luis Arroyo.
Luis was obtained for pitcher Zack Monroe and appeared in 29 games for the Yankees. He compiled a 5-1 record and had a 2.85 earned run average in 41 innings, all in relief.
The veteran Puerto Rican broke into Organized Ball with Greenville of the Coastal Plains League in 1947. He moved through the Cards' farm system with stops at Greensboro, Columbus, Rochester and Houston before reaching St. Louis in 1955.
Arroyo had an impressive 11-8 rookie season. However, the Redbirds traded him to Pittsburgh the following spring, for Max Surkont, and the Bucs sent him to Hollywood of the Pacific Coast League. He was soon back in the National League, splitting six decisions for Pittsburgh.
Luis, who has always been a control pitcher, had a 3-11 mark in 1957 and was back in the minors the following season, with Columbus of the International League. He was 10-3 with the Jets in '58, and the Reds purchased him.
Cincinnati gave him a brief whirl (10 games) in 1959 before sending him to their Caribbean farm club. Arroyo was 8-9 with Havana in '59 and had a 9-7 (2.46 ERA) with the Havana-Jersey City club when he was picked up by the Yankees.
Along with Ryne Duren, he gives the Yanks the American League's best bullpen. Luis is the club's top daddy, with five children."
-New York Yankees 1961 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"What a relief! That's what the Yankees were saying all season about Luis Arroyo. The Puerto Rico native, reclaimed from the minors in 1960, set a new Yankee mark for appearances. He won 15 games and saved 29 others.
When the New York Yankees were looking rather desperately for pitching help late in the 1960 season, they brought up Bill Stafford as a starting pitcher from their Richmond farm and chunky little Luis Arroyo, a southpaw from Jersey City, also in the International League. The two gave the staff a needed lift and the Yankees won the pennant going away in the stretch.
Luis, the father of four boys and one girl, suffered a bad break this spring when a batting practice line drive broke his pitching wrist. But he was ready for work when the season started- he hurled last winter for San Juan and was the Most Valuable Player in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
His screwball and low sinker pitch have proven tough for American League hitters. Arroyo is 33 and stands 5-8 1/2 and weighs 190 pounds."
-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program
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