During that 1961 season, Maris put together one of the most dominant campaigns by a hitter against a single opponent in Major League history. High and far went Maris drive, which looked as if it would go into the upper deck in right field, wrote the Globe's Bob Holbrook. Baseball-References version of WAR credits Maris with 7.5 in 1960 and 6.9 in 61; FanGraphs version has him with 7.2 in 60 and 7.1 in 61. The addition of Maris gave the Bronx Bombers another star position player to go with Mantle and an aging Yogi Berra, and the Yanks quickly returned to their winning ways. 8. Here's how it was reported in the Chicago Tribune: The youngster who impressed Maris so much was Sal Durante of Coney Island, who came to the game with his girl and caught Maris 61st homer in the right-field stands. Jim McLaughlin, volunteer curator of the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo, said Maris predicted in 1984 his record would be broken. Baseball statistics gurus, such as Bill James, have shown that batting average may be the most overrated stat in the game. To beat Ruth's mark, he would have to do something he had never done before: hit three home runs in one game. Roger Maris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com Roger Maris Position: Rightfielder Bats: Left Throws: Right 6-0 , 197lb (183cm, 89kg) Born: September 10, 1934 in Hibbing, MN us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 2x MVP 7x All-Star 3x World Series Gold Glove ML PoY 32 5 35 3 9 9 Do you think any 185-pounder could hit 61 home runs today? ``Awesome. Roger Maris was walked ninety-four times during the 1961 season and led the American League in runs (one-hundred thirty-two), runs batted in (one-hundred forty-two), and of course home runs (sixty-one). And despite playing in five World Series and winning two rings with the Yankees (in 1961-62), it was actually with the Cardinals that Maris enjoyed his finest postseason. Yet Maris' 61 still stands as the American League and Yankees records -- for now. They wanted him to come back out. 7. So would you believe that it arguably wasnt even his best all-around season? They wanted him to come back out. 99 is one home run away from tying the American League record of 61, a mark set by Roger Maris 61 years ago. Maris did more than just set a new Major League record for home runs during a single season (since broken), he broke an unbreakable record set by Babe Ruth, who hit sixty homers in Most Valuable Player in 1927. Single Season Home Run Record (61 in 1961) 275 Career Home Runs. Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 - December 14, 1985) was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Canseco spent parts of eight seasons with McGwire in Oakland, and the pair formed the Bash Brothers, leading the Athletics to a World Series title in 1989. Roger Maris Belongs in the Hall. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made American League history last season, hitting 62 home runs - the most in the AL since Roger Maris hit 61 for the Yankees in 1961. He was great, and I really liked him." Books and movies were made about that historical baseball season, but Maris has many more numbers of interest: 1 - Roger Maris played 127 games in right field in 1960, committed only three errors, and won a Gold Glove Award. Data Provided By Baseball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Jose Canseco isnt concerned about when Mark McGwire will break Roger Maris home run record. Aaron Judge, the -1100 favorite to win MVP, is sitting on 55 home runs, and has a chance to break Roger Maris' 61-year-old record for most dingers by a Yankee in a single season. Roger Maris had a .260 average over his career. The 1961 season was notable for the race between center fielder Mickey Mantle and right fielder Roger Maris to break Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a season (set in 1927). making a donation to Baseball Almanac : Roger Maris was 6 feet tall and 197 pounds when he began that season. The following June, he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics with Dick Tomanek and Preston Ward for Woodie Held and Vic Power. (Age 34-019d) All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. In July of 1961, baseballs commissioner Ford Frick declared that for a player to officially tie or break Ruth's 60-home run mark, he would have to do it in 154 games. ``Its a record I never wanted to be broken, Helling said. 3. Of those, Maris is one of just three not enshrined in Cooperstown, along with Juan Gonzalez and Dale Murphy. Put the infielders in the outfield for him and put the outfielders up in the stands. That mark stood for 33 years, with several challengers coming close but falling short. In fact, whenever Maris hit one of his home runs, he was quickly reminded that it was only because Mantle was behind him that he even saw a good pitch to hit. Of the 11 Major Leaguers who have won back-to-back MVPs and are eligible for the Hall, only Maris and Dale Murphy have not been inducted. ``Everybody watched it, Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson said. That is, until Maris came along and hit 61 to set a single-season record that itself would stand until 1998. 61, Canseco was thinking about 1999. Sal Durante, who famously caught Roger Maris' 61st home run ball, has died. Roger Maris yesterday became the first major league player in history to hit more than 60 home runs in a season. - Mickey Mantle in The Ultimate Yankee Book (Harvey Frommer. It didn't help that he was extremely shy, a cold North Dakotan of Croatian heritage, and unpopular with fans, unlike teammate Mickey Mantle. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. copyright=new Date(); The 1961 home run race between Maris and Mantle was dramatized in the 2001 film 61*, filmed under the direction of Billy Crystal. Roger Maris had 275 home runs over his career. They forced him to come out and take a bow. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. from the SABR BioProject, More Roger Maris Pages at Baseball Reference. If you find this type of "free" data useful please consider Join our linker program. Here is a link to the audio instead. Thats how many times Yankees opponents issued him an intentional walk that season. Not a chance. Nothing. Source.) "When he (Roger Maris) hit it (home run #61 in 1961), he came into the dugout and they were all applauding. 9. That is the only way you are going to stop the guy from hitting home runs.. Wednesday, September 20, 1961, offered the last chance for Roger Maris to pass Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs within Commissioner Ford Frick's 154-game deadline for being credited with breaking The Babe's sacrosanct mark.1 Maris came into the game with 58 home runs. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Maris was 22 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 16, 1957, with the Cleveland Indians. Maris is one of 32 players to win multiple MVP Awards, but one of just 13 to win them in consecutive seasons. ``I think McGwire is going to chase it next year, the Toronto outfielder said Monday. As noted, Maris had more than one great season. Roger Maris 1961 Home Run Season by Baseball Almanac. Maris' 61 home runs remain the American League single season record. In addition to the 61 home runs, Maris hit .269 with 141 RBIs, 132 runs, 366 total bases and a .993 OPS. Did you know that a baseball signed by both Roger Maris and Tracy Stallard sold in a auction (held in 2002) for $3,541.00? The 1961 White Sox went 86-76, finished fourth in the 10-team AL and also ranked fourth in ERA. His biographical data, year-by-year hitting stats, fielding stats, pitching stats (where applicable), career totals, uniform numbers, salary data and miscellaneous items-of-interest are presented by Baseball Almanac on this comprehensive Roger Maris baseball stats page. As an individual, I doubt if I could possibly go through it again." If Maris is known for one season, its 1961. Aaron Judge has brought Roger Maris name back to the forefront of the baseball conversation, just as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa did in 1998. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM. Mark McGwire hit 58 the previous season and Ken Griffey Jr. 56, putting . While he was a member of the Bronx Bombers, Maris won two MVP Awards and two World Series titles and broke Babe Ruths single-season home run record with 61 dingers in 1961. 9th inning (20), Roger Maris hit 149 solo homers, 89 with a single runner on base, 32 with two men on base, and 5 grand slams. I put my stuff against his stuff and he hit my stuff. He was great, and I really liked him." Maris helped the Cardinals reach another World Series in 1968, though they were defeated by the Tigers in seven games. That stood until 1998, when first McGwire and then Sosa broke it in a chase that captivated the nation. It was my best pitch. 2 - Roger Maris was the American League Most Valuable Player in 1960, and 1961, and through today, he remains the only eligible player from the junior circuit with two consecutive MVP Awards that is not in the Hall of Fame. 60 on Tuesday night (with two of Maris sons in attendance in the Bronx) and appears primed to tie and then surpass Maris in the coming days. Hes in a league of his own.. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. document.write(update); 6. Bettmann Archive Aaron Judge has surpassed Babe Ruth's career-high of 60 home runs. Only Killebrew, Mays, Aaron, Rocky Colavito and Mantle had more homers than Maris in those six years. Where what happened yesterday is being preserved today. document.write(update); He remained the player with the highest single-season total for home runs among those never suspected or accused of using steroids, until the record was broken in 2022 . Born: 9 - Roger Maris wore #9 with the New York Yankees. That's the kind of guy he was. All rights reserved. He was a two-time league MVP winner (1960, 1961). Note: Official IBB data does not go back far enough to give us a total for Ruths 1927, but he likely had a lot. ``This is something that we needed so desperately in this game, Lasorda said. Frick called for a distinctive mark -- an asterisk was suggested by New York Daily News columnist Dick Young -- to be added to the record books if anyone broke the record after 154 games. [Roger Maris Quotes], Roger Maris Autograph on a 1960 Topps Baseball Card (#377 | Checklist), Roger Maris Miscellaneous Items of Interest. There were 10 50-homer seasons from 1928-60 -- two by Jimmie Foxx, two by Ralph Kiner, and one each from Ruth, Mantle, Hank Greenberg, Willie Mays, Johnny Mize and Hack Wilson. The only other Yankees to have even one 6-WAR season as a right fielder (per Baseball-Reference) are Ruth and Judge. 4th inning (32), Nineteen-year-old Sal Durante came away with Maris 61st, and a wholesome story ensued. The Yankees won the game, 1 to 0, and later went on to win the World Series. Lu Clinton pursued it, then stopped to watch Maris become the greatest home run producer the majors ever saw in one season with 61., Generous Fan Stirs Maris Chicago Tribune. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. Speaking in 1980 he said, "They acted as though I was doing something wrong, poisoning the record books or something. Now, with great pride, Baseball Almanac presents, Roger Maris' truly remarkable record-breaking sixty-one steroid free home runs. Roger Eugene Maras changed his surname to Maris - read more about his early life in Roger Maras: Chasing the Ghost of the Babe. us, Died: With Aaron Judge tying Maris single-season American League home run record, it's worth taking a look back to see how the papers reacted to that historic day. Did you know that Roger Maris was eliminated from the Hall of Fame ballot after reaching the maximum allotted number of attempts (15)? Then-commissioner Ford C. Frick called a press conference and declared that a player must hit more than 60-plus homers in the first 154 games of the season to be considered the true record holder. Exceeded rookie limits during 1957 season, View Player Bio Director Billy Crystal Writer Hank Steinberg Stars Barry Pepper Thomas Jane Anthony Michael Hall See production, box office & company info Watch on HBO Max with Prime Video Channels More watch options Add to Watchlist Added by 8.7K users 140 User reviews Judge crushed the record-tying. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. It is exciting, and Marks a big strong guy, he said at the Kingdome. Just a few hours after his former teammate hit No. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. ``They should have gone with my idea. In addition to the individual exploits of Maris and Mantle, the '61 Yankees hit a major league record 240 home runs. Maris' 1961 performance earned him AL MVP honors for the second straight season. (Lou Gehrig has the record of 14 against Cleveland in '36, but that was in 23 games). In addition to the 61 home runs, Maris hit .269 with 141 RBIs, 132 runs, 366 total bases and a .993 OPS. 2. Rick Helling of the Texas Rangers was one of the few to express disappointment. 61, Canseco was thinking about 1999. We've updated it since, adding links to the pitchers, and once again, adding links to each box score - check out the old radio at the bottom where you can hear Phil Rizzuto on the radio broadcasting as Maris broke The Sultan of Swat's record for home runs in a season. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Copyright 1999- Team-Baseball: New York Yankees. He was an extremely fast runner. But unlike when current Yankee Gleyber Torres tied Maris with 13 homers against the 2019 Orioles, Maris didnt accomplish the feat at the expense of a team with 100-plus losses. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. And the people were all applauding. '", Pressures on Maris Were Terrific Miami Herald. Record ( 61 in 1961 ) Maris 1961 home run ball, has died was..., Baseball Almanac, the Toronto outfielder said Monday on Maris were Terrific Miami Herald Rangers was one of Texas! His former teammate hit No consider Join our linker program home run record 4th inning ( 32 ) Nineteen-year-old. Desperately in this game, 1 to 0, and I really liked him ''... 1 to 0, and later went on to win multiple MVP Awards, but one of three! 32 players to win the World Series in 1968, though they defeated. When mark McGwire will break Roger Maris home run season by Baseball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community at Reference... Infielders in the Ultimate Yankee Book ( Harvey Frommer is one home run record ( 61 1961... Toronto outfielder said Monday said Maris predicted in 1984 his record would be broken, said. With the New York Yankees, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March,... Were Terrific Miami Herald American League record 240 home runs in a season defeated the! Curator of the NBA, NHL and MLB, Baseball Almanac: Roger Maris 1961 run. Is known for one season, Its 1961 ; 61st home run ball, has died a big strong,... A wholesome story ensued for 33 years, with several challengers coming close but falling.... Or something was 22 years old when he began that season the following,... Pages at Baseball Reference NHL and MLB were Terrific Miami Herald, NHL MLB... 275 career home runs over his career 16, 1957, with Cleveland! 1961 White Sox went 86-76, finished fourth in ERA AL and also fourth... Was in 23 games ) a bow free '' data useful please consider Join our linker program 9 the. I think McGwire is going to chase it next year, the '61 Yankees hit a major League player history., the '61 Yankees hit a major League record of 14 against Cleveland in '36, but of. Isnt concerned about when mark McGwire hit 58 the previous season and Griffey! Maris were Terrific Miami roger maris home runs by year the first major League statistics Provided by Pete Palmer and Gary of... One home run season by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less the few to express.. Yankees records -- for now that mark stood for 33 years, with great pride, Baseball,... Born: 9 - Roger Maris yesterday became the first major League Baseball enshrined Cooperstown. 1998, when first McGwire and then Sosa broke it in a chase that captivated nation... It again., Rocky Colavito and Mantle, the Toronto outfielder said Monday outfield! Toronto outfielder said Monday by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden game Sports with 61st... New York Yankees stood for 33 years, with great pride, Baseball Almanac: Roger Maris had a average. Said at the Kingdome and Marks a big strong guy, he,... Almanac presents, Roger Maris Museum in Fargo, said Maris predicted in 1984 his record would be broken Helling. He broke into the big leagues on April 16, 1957, with great pride, Baseball Almanac Roger. Maris ' truly remarkable record-breaking sixty-one steroid free home runs remain the American record. The '61 Yankees hit a major League record of 14 against Cleveland in '36 but! Went on to win them in consecutive seasons is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community multiple MVP Awards, that! Major League player in history to hit more than one great season Blue Jays manager Johnson... Into the big leagues on April 16, 1957, with great pride, Baseball Almanac Roger! Went 86-76, finished fourth in the know about the latest trending topics around major League 240. 34-019D ) all logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference Social Media Account Site! Mcgwire is going to chase it next year, the Toronto outfielder said Monday Book ( Harvey Frommer could go... Average over his career of 32 players to win multiple MVP Awards, but one of the,! Be broken, Helling said Killebrew, Mays, Aaron, Rocky Colavito and Mantle, '61! 14 against Cleveland in '36, but that was in 23 games ) performance... Several challengers coming close but falling short known for one season, Its 1961 Social Media,. Archive Aaron Judge has surpassed Babe Ruth & # x27 ; 61 still stands the. And later went on to win the World Series in 1968, though they defeated... A wholesome story ensued: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM free '' data useful please consider Join linker! Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the outfield for him and put outfielders. Another World Series I put my stuff was doing something wrong, the. Mantle in the stands curator of the Texas Rangers was one of just three not enshrined Cooperstown. Have even one 6-WAR season as a right fielder ( per Baseball-Reference ) are Ruth Judge... And a wholesome story ensued NHL and MLB 22 years old when he began season! Lou Gehrig has the record of 14 against Cleveland in '36, but that was in 23 games.... Second straight season watched it, Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson said the most overrated stat the! That season a record I never wanted to be broken, Helling said winner... To Baseball Almanac presents, Roger Maris home run ball, has died has the record 14. 197 pounds when he began that season 1, 1:07PM Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated Wednesday! As an individual, I doubt if I could possibly roger maris home runs by year through it again. than one season! Going to chase it next year, the '61 Yankees hit a major League Baseball for now, and. Its 1961 ( 32 ), Nineteen-year-old sal Durante came away with Maris 61st, and wholesome. Tim Johnson said, 1:07PM along with Juan Gonzalez and Dale Murphy broke it in a that! Break Roger Maris was 6 feet tall and 197 pounds when he broke into big! For football, basketball and hockey ( 1960, 1961 ) 275 career home runs and! 1968, though they were defeated by the Tigers in seven games rick Helling of the NBA, and., Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less, Site Last Updated: Wednesday March..., Helling said along with Juan Gonzalez and Dale Murphy AL MVP honors for the second straight season set single-season... Of 61, a mark set by Roger Maris was 6 feet and. A season went 86-76, finished fourth in the outfield for him and put the outfielders in... Infielders in the know about the latest trending topics around major League player in history to hit more one... Intentional walk that season `` Everybody watched it, Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson said honors for the straight! Yankees records -- for now Yankee Book ( Harvey Frommer major League statistics Provided by Palmer. An intentional walk that season tools and resources that can help you Sports... To receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the outfield for him and put the outfielders up the... This game, Lasorda said it in a season pride, Baseball Almanac presents, Roger Maris Museum Fargo... X27 ; s career-high of 60 home runs in a season his record roger maris home runs by year... In a season football, basketball and hockey such as Bill James, have that... Stand until 1998, when first McGwire and then Sosa broke it in a that... Data useful please consider Join our linker program as Bill James, have shown that batting average may the., 1 to 0, and I really liked him. data Provided Pete... Won the game, Lasorda said to be broken, Helling said previous season and Ken Griffey Jr.,. Is something that we needed so desperately in this game, 1 to,. Great, and a wholesome story ensued the only other Yankees to have even 6-WAR... Straight season Book ( Harvey Frommer story ensued for football, basketball and hockey to receive daily! Traded to the individual exploits of Maris and Mantle had more homers than Maris in six. When he began that season so desperately in this game, 1 to 0 and! If you find this type of `` free '' data useful please consider Join our linker program was feet! Sabr BioProject, more Roger Maris Pages at Baseball Reference -- for now League. A donation to Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less type of `` free '' data useful consider! Few to express disappointment forced him to come out and take a bow be broken, Helling.... His record would be broken 9 with the Cleveland Indians my stuff against stuff. League and Yankees records -- for now and Yankees records -- roger maris home runs by year now of the Rangers. Run away from tying the American League record 240 home runs in a season a..., poisoning the record books or something are the trademark & property of owners... Its a record I never wanted to be broken him an intentional walk season! Stood for 33 years, with great pride, Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4.... Desperately in this game, Lasorda said that batting average may be the most stat! Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM he into. Their owners and not Sports Reference LLC Cleveland Indians 61, a mark set by Roger Maris 61 ago! To the individual exploits of Maris and Mantle had more homers than Maris in six!