Still a Legend: The Story of Roger Maris

In 1961 Roger Maris made Baseball history by hitting 61 home runs…and beating the great Babe Ruth’s record. Yet he’s still on the outside of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Has his time finally come? Did Maris earn his “title to fame?”

Roger Maris (1934-1985)

Roger Maris was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on September 10, 1934.  His father, who worked for the Great Northern Railroad, moved the family to North Dakota in 1942, where Roger and Rudy, his older brother by one-year, grew up.  The Maris brothers played sports and attended Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota.   It was in the 10th grade when Roger met Patricia, his future wife, at a high school basketball game. 

Roger was recruited by legendary coach Bud Wilkinson to play for the University of Oklahoma, but with a professional baseball contract looming, Roger gave up his scholarship at the University of Oklahoma to pursue a career in baseball.  He signed a $15,000 contract to play for the Cleveland Indians organization. 

During his first year in the major leagues, Roger hit 14 home runs and drove in 51 RBI's for the Cleveland Indians.  Midway through his second year, Roger was traded to the Kansas City Athletics and finished the season with 28 home runs and 81 RBI's.  Roger received attention and in his third year, was elected to the 1959 All-Star team.   

In 1960, his first season with the Yankees, Roger led the major leagues with 27 home runs and 69 RBI's by the halfway point and was again named to the All-Star team.  In 1961, Roger and teammate Mickey Mantle received national attention as they chased the single season home run record of 60 set by Babe Ruth in 1927.  The two Yankee sluggers went back and forth leading the majors in home runs during the summer.  An unfortunate illness to Mantle in September caused him to miss games at the end of the season, but he still finished with a career high 54 home runs.

Roger tied Ruth on September 26th, hitting his 60th home run of the year.  Then, on October 1, 1961, the final day of the season, Roger hit his 61st home run to set the new home run record.  Roger was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League for the second straight year, as he led the league in home runs and RBI's.  Roger and Mickey also set the home run record for teammates hitting 115 home runs between them.  

In all, Roger Maris played in seven World Series in the Sixties (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968), hitting six World Series home runs and driving in 18 World Series RBI's.  He finished his career with 275 home runs.

On July 21, 1984, in a ceremony in Yankee Stadium, the Yankees retired Roger's number (#9) and erected a plaque in his honor paying tribute to his achievements.

Roger Maris died on December 14, 1985 of lymphoma cancer at the age of 51. 

About the Author

Harvey Rosenfeld is on the English faculties of Pace University and St. John's University. He is the author of a biography on Cal Ripken, Jr. and a narrative of the 1951 Dodgers-Giants pennant race.

Website Links:

Roger Maris Museum
Baseball Library