Gus Mauch (1902-1983), the first contestant, joined the Yankees in 1943 as an assistant trainer, becoming head trainer five years later and continuing through 1961. He would later train the New York Mets for the 1969 World Series.
Mystery guest Maria Fletcher had been crowned 'Miss America 1962' at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, the previous night, on September 9, 1961. The pageant was the highest rated Miss America telecast on record. When Fletcher returned home to Asheville, NC, people greeted her at the airport, and she was treated to a downtown parade on November 4th.