July 27, 2011

Roger Maris's Misunderstood Quest to Break the Home Run Record:

Fifty summers ago, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were chasing Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a single season, and the country was enthralled...And perhaps because of the intense interest in the season, numerous misconceptions have grown up around the race to 61.

posted by kirkaracha to baseball at 11:10 AM - 2 comments

Mainly about the mythical asterisk. No big surprises, but I learned that even though Maris played more games, he hit 60 home runs in fewer plate appearances. Maris hit his 60th home run in his 684th plate appearance, while Babe Ruth hit his in his 689th plate appearance.

posted by kirkaracha at 11:12 AM on July 27, 2011

I wonder why Frick didn't like the idea of Maris breaking Ruth's record because of the longer season. It seems that MLB's current commissioner really likes records to be broken.

posted by bperk at 10:14 AM on July 28, 2011

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