Tigers Stadium, Detroit, MI, September 17, 1961 – An angry Mickey Mantle has words for Tigers ace Jim Bunning

Mickey Mantle is not happy with a pitch too close for comfort delivered by the Tiger’s Jim Bunning in the top of the 3rd inning of a Sunday afternoon contest. The Mick could also be feeling the pressure of the historic home run race for the record books him and teammate Roger Maris were both involved in. At the time Mantle was stuck on 53 home runs for a week now while Maris had 57.

The game itself would go into extra innings until the top of the 12th when Maris hits his 58th homer of the season – a two-run blast – to propel the Yanks to a 6-4 victory. Maris would have three RBIs on the day while Mantle struggled at the plate going hitless in four at bats. Also hitting round-trippers for the Yanks were Bill Skowron and Clete Boyer.

One notable achievement on the Tigers side was from third baseman Steve Boras, who walked five times in the game. Also in the photo is the Tigers catcher Dick Brown and home plate umpire Johnny Stevens.