Tracy Stallard – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tracy Stallard’s name pops up in baseball history for one unforgettable moment on October 1, 1961. The tall right-handed pitcher from Virginia found himself forever part of the sport’s lore when Roger Maris smashed his pitch for a record-breaking 61st home run, passing Babe Ruth’s legendary mark.

Stallard pitched seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1966, taking the mound for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals before calling it quits at 29. He wrapped up his career with a 30-57 record and a 4.17 ERA, but that one connection to baseball’s most cherished record keeps his name alive. He struck out 477 batters in 183 games during his time in the majors.

That famous pitch to Maris wasn’t the only story in Stallard’s career. He experienced both struggles and achievements, a journey pretty familiar to many pro athletes.

His story stretches from small-town Virginia high school stardom, through the grind of the minor leagues, to the bright lights of major league stadiums. It’s a story about the dedication it takes to reach baseball’s highest level, and just how much a single moment can stick with you.

Key Career Moment: Roger Maris’s 61st Home Run

On October 1, 1961, Tracy Stallard threw the pitch that Roger Maris hammered for his 61st home run. That single moment overshadowed most of Stallard’s career and pretty much defined his legacy.

Background of the 1961 Season

The 1961 season was electric as Maris chased Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record of 60. Maris played for the Yankees and was in his second year with them.

Stallard, just 24 years old, was a rookie pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He was wrapping up his first full season in the big leagues.

The last game of the regular season took place at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 1961. The weather felt cool and crisp, pretty much perfect for baseball.

Stallard got the start for the Red Sox against the Yankees. The pressure was intense—everyone knew Maris needed just one more homer to break Ruth’s record.

Details of the Historic At Bat

Stallard took the mound to face the Yankees in what turned into one of baseball’s most memorable games. The stadium buzzed with anticipation.

When Maris stepped into the batter’s box, the crowd sensed they might see history. Stallard delivered, and Maris didn’t miss.

The ball sailed into the right field stands for number 61. Maris broke Ruth’s record, which had stood since 1927.

Key Details:

• Date: October 1, 1961
• Location: Yankee Stadium
• Pitcher: Tracy Stallard (Boston Red Sox)
• Batter: Roger Maris (New York Yankees)
• Result: Solo home run, Yankees won 1-0

Radio and TV captured the historic moment. That coverage helped the event stick with fans for decades.

Impact on Tracy Stallard’s Legacy

Giving up Maris’s 61st home run became the defining moment of Stallard’s career. That single pitch overshadowed everything else he did on the field.

Stallard pitched for the Red Sox, Mets, and Cardinals. He retired in 1966 after several years in the majors.

The home run followed him for the rest of his life. Baseball fans always remembered him as the pitcher who surrendered the record-breaker.

Despite all the attention, Stallard handled his place in history with grace. He seemed to understand that being part of such a huge moment—even on the wrong end—made him part of baseball lore.

Stallard passed away on December 7, 2017, at the age of 80. His connection to Maris’s achievement featured prominently in his obituaries.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Tracy Stallard pitched in the majors for seven seasons from 1960 to 1966. He put up a 30-57 record in 183 games with three teams.

He’s most remembered for giving up Maris’s 61st homer, but he had his share of struggles and successes, too.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Stallard made his MLB debut on September 14, 1960, with the Red Sox at age 23. He’d spent five years in the minors after Boston signed him in 1956.

His journey to the majors started in Lafayette’s Class D Midwest League. Stallard put up modest numbers early, going 5-8 with a 4.50 ERA in his first season.

By 1959, the Virginia native started showing improvement. He opened that year with Allentown in the Class A Eastern League, going 9-4 with a 1.68 ERA in 13 starts. That strong run earned him a promotion to Triple-A Minneapolis.

Boston Red Sox Years

Stallard spent all of 1961 with the Red Sox, appearing in 43 games with 14 starts. He finished with a 2-7 record and a 4.88 ERA over 132⅔ innings for the sixth-place team.

The biggest moment of his career came on October 1, 1961. Stallard gave up Maris’s 61st home run in the fourth inning of the season finale, a 1-0 loss to the Yankees. Despite the homer, Stallard called it “probably the best game I ever pitched.”

He held the Yankees to just five hits over seven innings. Maris’s solo shot was the only run the Bronx Bombers scored against him.

Stallard spent most of 1962 back in the minors with the Seattle Rainiers. He made just one brief appearance with the Red Sox, tossing a shutout inning before they traded him after the season.

New York Mets Tenure

After the 1962 season, the Red Sox traded Stallard to the Mets. The deal sent Stallard, Al Moran, and Pumpsie Green to New York for Felix Mantilla.

Stallard became a regular starter for the struggling Mets. In 1963, he went 6-17 with a 4.71 ERA, numbers that reflected the team’s struggles more than his own.

The 1964 season wasn’t any easier. Stallard dropped his ERA by nearly a run to 3.85 but got little help from his teammates. He led the league with 20 losses despite tossing 11 complete games and two shutouts.

He also found himself part of another odd bit of history. Stallard was the losing pitcher in the longest game in MLB history at that point, a 7-hour, 23-minute marathon against San Francisco in May 1964.

St. Louis Cardinals Final Seasons

Stallard joined the St. Louis Cardinals after 1964. The defending champs slotted him into their rotation with future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson.

The 1965 season was Stallard’s best. He went 11-8 with a career-low 3.38 ERA in 26 starts. Only Gibson posted a better ERA on the team, and Stallard pitched just under 200 innings.

His last MLB season came in 1966. He split time between the Cardinals and their minor league club in Tulsa. He finished his big league career with a 1-5 record and a 5.68 ERA in 20 games.

Stallard had short minor league stints in 1967 and 1969 before retiring at 31. He went back to Virginia and entered the coal business, closing the book on a 14-season pro baseball journey.

Statistical Profile and Career Highlights

Tracy Stallard wrapped up his career with a 30-57 record and a 4.17 ERA across seven major league seasons from 1960 to 1966. He struck out 477 batters in 183 games for the Red Sox, Mets, and Cardinals.

Pitching Statistics and Records

Stallard’s career stats show a pitcher who struggled with consistency at the top level. His 30 wins and 57 losses gave him a .345 winning percentage over seven years.

The righty posted a 4.17 ERA in the majors. He averaged about 68 strikeouts per season.

Stallard appeared in 183 games during his career. He spent the most time with the Red Sox, where his MLB story began.

If you look at Baseball Reference, you’ll find all the details on his year-to-year numbers. His stats paint a picture of a pitcher who found it tough to keep up with big league hitters.

Strengths and Playing Style

At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Stallard looked imposing on the mound. His height gave him a natural edge with his delivery.

He threw and batted right-handed. Stallard’s hard-throwing style was his main weapon.

Back in high school at Coeburn, he never lost a game over four years. As a senior, he went 8-0 and tossed two no-hitters.

That early success showed he had raw talent. Still, making it work in pro baseball turned out to be a much tougher challenge.

Career Highs and Lows

Stallard’s career started with promise when he debuted with Boston on September 14, 1960, at 23. That first game marked the peak of his baseball dreams.

The jump from high school star to big league pitcher wasn’t easy. His win-loss record shows he struggled to adjust to major league hitters.

His 4.17 ERA means he allowed a bit more than four runs per nine innings. For pitchers of his era, that was a little above average.

Stallard’s last season came in 1966 with the Cardinals. He wrapped up his seven-year career while still pretty young, just 29.

Life Before and After Major League Baseball

Evan Tracy Stallard’s journey ran from Virginia high school legend to a quiet life in the coal business after his 1966 retirement. His pre-MLB days made him a local star, and baseball infamy followed him for decades.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Evan Tracy Stallard was born August 31, 1937, in Coeburn, Virginia. The 6-foot-5 righty became a local legend during his high school years at Coeburn High.

High School Dominance:

• Never lost a game in four years of high school baseball
• Went 8-0 as a senior
• Threw two no-hitters in his final season
• Inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame in 2005

His standout high school career caught the eye of major league scouts. The Boston Red Sox signed him in 1956 when he was just 18.

He started his pro career with the Lafayette Red Sox in the Class D Midwest League. That first year, he went 5-8 with a 4.50 ERA in 17 games.

Stallard spent five seasons working his way up the minors before making it to the majors. He played at stops in Raleigh, Allentown, and Minneapolis along the way.

Retirement in 1966 and Legacy

Stallard wrapped up his major league career in 1966 after seven seasons in the big leagues. He made his final MLB appearance in July 1966 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Career Statistics:

• Record: 30 wins, 57 losses
• ERA: 4.17
• Games: 183
• Strikeouts: 477

He spent his last season splitting time between the Cardinals and their minor league affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers. With St. Louis, he finished 1-5 and posted a 5.68 ERA, which pretty much signaled the end of his major league days.

After 1966, Stallard kept pitching in the minors for two more seasons. He threw for Dallas-Fort Worth and made his way back to Tulsa in 1967.

He took a year off from baseball, then gave it one last shot in 1969 with High Point-Thomasville. Not everyone would try a comeback after a break, but he did.

Everyone remembers Stallard as the guy who gave up Roger Maris’s 61st home run on October 1, 1961. That one pitch, fair or not, ended up defining his baseball legacy more than anything else he did.

Post-Baseball Life

When Stallard retired from pro baseball at 31, he headed back to Virginia and jumped into the coal business. He pulled off a pretty smooth transition from sports to running his own coal operation.

Early on, Stallard seemed to enjoy his link to baseball history. He joined old-timers games and even went to Roger Maris Golf Tournaments in North Dakota, where he won the charity event in 1990.

But by the late ’90s, Stallard started to prefer privacy over the spotlight. When Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased Maris’s record in 1998, Stallard really didn’t want to be part of the media circus.

Local Recognition:

• Coeburn High School named a baseball field in his honor in 1997
• Stallard skipped the dedication ceremony
• He stayed respected in his Virginia community

He kept a low profile and focused on his business. Stallard’s decision to avoid the spotlight probably reflected his wish to be remembered for more than just one pitch.

Tracy Stallard passed away on December 6, 2017, at 80. He left behind a legacy that mixed local hero status with a kind of infamous baseball history.

Notable Achievements and Impact

Tracy Stallard’s baseball career really boils down to one moment that locked in his spot in baseball lore. His impact goes beyond stats—he earned lasting recognition and influenced the game’s history in his own way.

Enduring Place in Baseball History

On October 1, 1961, Stallard threw the pitch that Roger Maris hammered for his record-breaking 61st home run. That swing broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record, which had stood for 34 years.

The pitch came during a 1-0 game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Stallard was actually pitching one of his better games that season, but Maris connected in the fourth inning.

That moment kind of eclipsed everything else Stallard did. He finished his seven-year career with a 30-57 record and a 4.17 ERA.

Later on, Stallard came to terms with his place in baseball history. He admitted that if he hadn’t given up that famous home run, hardly anyone would remember him.

Influence on Teammates and Opponents

Stallard played for three major league teams, which gave him the chance to work with lots of different players and coaches. His best season was in 1965 with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he went 11-8.

During his time with the New York Mets (1963-1964), Stallard faced the struggles of playing for a struggling team. In 1964, he led the National League with 20 losses, even though he managed to lower his ERA by almost a full run from the year before.

He got to experience pitching for both contenders and teams that were rebuilding. That gave him a unique perspective on different clubhouse vibes.

Stallard played in an era when pitchers were just expected to finish games and gut it out through tough spots. That kind of toughness shaped his career.

Recognition and Honors

Stallard picked up several honors that celebrated both his baseball journey and his impact back home. In 2005, the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame inducted him for his standout career at Coeburn High School.

Back in high school, Stallard went undefeated over four years, and his senior season was especially impressive—8-0 with two no-hitters. Those numbers caught the eye of major league scouts, and the Boston Red Sox signed him in 1956.

In 1997, Coeburn High School named their new baseball field after Stallard, cementing his status as a local legend in Virginia.

He also took part in old-timers games and showed up at the Roger Maris Golf Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, staying connected to that historic moment.

Personal Life and Legacy

Tracy Stallard kept close to his Virginia roots for most of his life. He eventually returned home and ran business ventures in the coal industry.

His passing in 2017, at age 80, marked the end of a life shaped by one unforgettable baseball moment.

Family and Background

Evan Tracy Stallard was born August 31, 1937, in Coeburn, Virginia. He grew up in that small town and would later become a local legend.

His athletic talent showed up early at Coeburn High School. Stallard never lost a high school baseball game in four years.

His senior year stood out—he went 8-0 and threw two no-hitters. That performance turned heads and brought him recognition decades later.

In 2005, the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame honored him. That award reflected his lasting mark on Virginia high school sports.

After baseball, Stallard moved back to Virginia and focused on the coal business. He managed to find success outside of sports, which isn’t always easy.

Coeburn High School paid tribute to him in 1997 by naming a new baseball field in his honor. Stallard, though, decided not to attend the dedication, choosing to keep things low-key.

Passing and Remembrance

Tracy Stallard passed away on December 6, 2017, at 80 years old. Family and friends gathered at the Sturgill Funeral Home, closing the final chapter of a life tied so closely to baseball lore.

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association shared the news of his passing. They really showed how connected he stayed to the baseball world, even long after his playing days.

In his later years, Stallard wanted more privacy. Still, his name always popped up when people talked about Roger Maris’s 61st home run.

By 1998, he seemed tired of all the attention that moment kept bringing him. He didn’t want anything to do with the media frenzy around the Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run chase.

Earlier in retirement, though, Stallard leaned into his odd place in baseball history. He played in old-timers games and showed up at Roger Maris Golf Tournaments.

He even won the charity fundraiser in Fargo, North Dakota, back in 1990. Not bad at all.

His career stats? Thirty wins, 57 losses, and a 4.17 ERA over seven seasons in the majors. But let’s be honest, that one pitch on October 1, 1961, is what keeps his name alive in baseball conversations.