1961 Spokane Indians Roster
Team Record: 68-86
Finished 7th in the PCL
Manager: Preston Gómez (68-86)
Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: Spokane, Washington
Ballpark: Avista Stadium
Attendance: 153,393, Avg. 1,992
The Spokane Indians of the Pacific Coast League ended the 1961 season with a record of 68 wins and 86 losses, finishing seventh in the PCL.
The Indians scored 674 runs, worst in the league, and surrendered 803 runs. Tim Harkness led Spokane with 17 home runs and drove in 82 runs. Rod Graber paced hitters with significant playing time by hitting .310. René Valdés topped the team with 14 wins and a team-best 3.64 ERA, tops among qualifying pitchers.
Players from the 1961 Spokane Indians who spent time in the Majors during their careers included René Valdés, Duke Carmel, Ramón Conde, Rod Graber, Pete Richert, Ernie Oravetz, Choo-Choo Coleman, Doug Camilli, Gene Leek, Larry Burright, Bill Harris, Bob Bowman, Phil Ortega, Mike Goliat, Don Newcombe, Curt Roberts, Bob Giallombardo, Howie Reed, Tim Harkness, Jim Stump, Joe Moeller, Joe Koppe, Don Bessent, Nate Oliver and Fred Besana.
Preston Gómez served as manager.Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Bats | Throws | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wade Arnold | L | R | February 27, 1936 | 5'9" | 178 | |
| Fred Besana | R | L | April 5, 1930 | 6'3" | 200 | Lincoln, CA US |
| Don Bessent | R | R | March 13, 1931 | 6'0" | 175 | Jacksonville, FL US |
| Bob Bowman | R | R | May 10, 1931 | 6'1" | 195 | Laytonville, CA US |
| Larry Burright | R | R | July 10, 1937 | 5'11" | 170 | Roseville, IL US |
| Doug Camilli | R | R | September 22, 1936 | 5'11" | 195 | Philadelphia, PA US |
| Duke Carmel | L | L | April 23, 1937 | 6'3" | 202 | New York, NY US |
| Bob Caton | R | R | August 8, 1932 | 5'11" | 200 | |
| Choo-Choo Coleman | L | R | August 25, 1935 | 5'9" | 165 | Orlando, FL US |
| Ramón Conde | R | R | December 29, 1934 | 5'8" | 172 | Juana Diaz, PR |
| Rene Friol | R | R | May 28, 1933 | 6'1" | 208 | Candelaria, Pinar del Rio CU |
| Bob Giallombardo | L | L | May 20, 1937 | 6'0" | 175 | Brooklyn, NY US |
| Mike Goliat | R | R | November 5, 1921 | 6'0" | 180 | Yatesboro, PA US |
| Rod Graber | L | L | June 20, 1930 | 5'11" | 175 | Massillon, OH US |
| Lee Handley | R | R | January 3, 1935 | 6'0" | 195 | Chicago, IL US |
| Tim Harkness | L | L | December 23, 1937 | 6'2" | 182 | Lachine, QC CA |
| Bill Harris | L | R | December 3, 1930 | 5'8" | 187 | Duguayville, NB CA |
| Jimmie Harwell | R | R | January 23, 1939 | 6'2" | 200 | |
| Joe Koppe | R | R | October 19, 1930 | 5'10" | 165 | Detroit, MI US |
| Gene Leek | R | R | July 15, 1936 | 6'0" | 185 | San Diego, CA US |
| Sammy Miley | L | R | March 8, 1931 | 5'11" | 190 | Newton, MS US |
| Joe Moeller | R | R | February 15, 1943 | 6'5" | 192 | Blue Island, IL US |
| Mike Napoli | R | R | March 6, 1932 | 5'9" | 175 | |
| Don Newcombe | L | R | June 14, 1926 | 6'4" | 220 | Madison, NJ US |
| Allen Norris | R | R | July 13, 1937 | 6'3" | 185 | Los Angeles, CA US |
| Nate Oliver | R | R | December 13, 1940 | 5'10" | 160 | St. Petersburg, FL US |
| Ernie Oravetz | S | L | January 24, 1932 | 5'4" | 145 | Johnstown, PA US |
| Phil Ortega | R | R | October 7, 1939 | 6'2" | 170 | Gilbert, AZ US |
| Alfred Paschal | R | R | October 30, 1934 | 6'0" | 165 | |
| Howie Reed | R | R | December 21, 1936 | 6'1" | 195 | Dallas, TX US |
| Pete Richert | L | L | October 29, 1939 | 5'11" | 165 | Floral Park, NY US |
| Curt Roberts | R | R | August 16, 1929 | 5'8" | 165 | Pineland, TX US |
| Ernie Rodriguez | L | L | February 26, 1937 | 5'8" | 170 | |
| Jim Stump | R | R | February 10, 1932 | 6'0" | 188 | Lansing, MI US |
| René Valdés | R | R | June 2, 1929 | 6'3" | 175 | Guanabacoa, La Habana CU |
| Rick Warren | L | L | June 17, 1939 | 5'10" | 160 | New York, NY US |
| Ford Young | R | R | 6'1" | 190 |
Average attendance is based upon the number of actual home dates where known (most leagues from 1992 and later). Where the number of home dates is not known, the average is calculated using half the team's total games.
