Roger Maris

Roger Maris – Life, Career & Legacy

Roger Maris (1934–1985), famed American baseball right fielder, is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record in 1961. Learn his biography, career highlights, struggles, and lasting impact.

Introduction

Roger Eugene Maris (September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American professional baseball player whose name is forever linked with one of baseball’s most iconic records. In 1961, he hit 61 home runs in a single season—surpassing Babe Ruth’s long-standing record. His achievement was controversial, scrutinized, and celebrated, and his life and career reflect both greatness and personal challenge.

Early Life and Family

Roger Maris was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on September 10, 1934. Maras, but his family later changed the name to Maris.

In 1942, his family moved to North Dakota, where Roger and his older brother Rudolph (“Rudy”) grew up. Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota, where Roger played multiple sports—including baseball and football.

His brother Rudy had polio and was an early influence; reportedly, as a youth Rudy would urge or even drag Roger to play baseball—initially something Roger disliked.

Roger’s high school athletic success was notable: in football, he set a national high school record for most return touchdowns in a single game (four returns plus one running play) , underscoring his athletic ability beyond just batting.

Professional Baseball Career

Minor Leagues and Early Years

Maris began his professional journey in the minor leagues from 1953 to 1956. 78 home runs in the minors and posted strong batting averages.

He made his Major League debut on April 16, 1957, with the Cleveland Indians. Kansas City Athletics.

Rise with the Yankees

Before the 1960 season, Maris was traded to the New York Yankees, where he would achieve his greatest fame.

• 1960 season: Maris delivered a strong campaign—he won the American League MVP award, led in several categories, and helped the Yankees win the pennant.

• 1961 season (“61 in ’61”): This was Maris’s defining year. He hit 61 home runs, setting a new Major League single-season record, surpassing Babe Ruth’s 60.

However, the 1961 season was controversial because the American League had extended its schedule from 154 to 162 games that year. Some critics claimed Maris’s record was less legitimate because he had more games in which to hit homers.

Commissioner Ford Frick, a friend of Ruth, declared that if the record were broken in more than 154 games, it should be annotated separately (sometimes called “the asterisk controversy”), though this “rule” was never formally codified.

Maris hit his 61st home run on October 1, 1961, in the final game of the season. MVP award that year, his second in a row.

Later Years & Final Seasons

Maris suffered injuries and diminishing performance in subsequent seasons, especially after 1962.

In December 1966, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played in 1967 and 1968. 1967 World Series championship, hitting well in that postseason.

At the end of 1968, Maris retired from major league play.

Career Statistics & Honors

• Batting average: .260

• Total home runs: 275

• Runs batted in (RBIs): 850

• 7× All-Star (including years with two All-Star Games)

• Gold Glove (1960)

• 3× World Series champion (1961, 1962 with Yankees; 1967 with Cardinals)

• His jersey number 9 was retired by the Yankees and he is honored in Monument Park.

Maris was eligible for Hall of Fame consideration, but he was not elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Challenges, Controversy & Personal Struggles

Although Maris’s 1961 record is legendary, it came with emotional and public burdens.

• Media pressure and harassment: During the home run chase, he endured intense scrutiny, criticism, and even death threats.

• Mental strain: In later interviews, Maris described the period as “mental hell”, saying he was drained of his desire to play.

• Recognition and legacy debate: Because of the “games played” controversy and his quieter public persona, Maris was sometimes marginalized in baseball lore, especially compared to flashy stars.

• Health issues: Later in life, Maris was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (circa 1983) and battled illness until his death on December 14, 1985, at age 51.

Off the field, Maris and his brother operated a Budweiser beer distributorship in Florida after his retirement.

Personality, Values & Public Voice

Maris was often described as reserved, modest, and reluctant to court attention. He longed to be “one of the guys,” a competent, solid player rather than a sensational personality.

His humility showed in comments like:

“I just wanted to be one of the guys, an average player having a good season.”

He also acknowledged the burdens of fame:

“As a ballplayer, I would be delighted to do it again.” “I think the most privacy I had was when the game was going on.” “It would have been a helluva lot more fun if I had not hit those sixty-one home runs.”

He also had wry observations about the business side of sports:

“It’s a business. If I could make more money down in the zinc mines I’d be mining zinc.” “The record is there and damn right I want to break it, but that isn’t replacing Babe Ruth.”

Legacy & Impact

Roger Maris’s legacy is a mixture of triumph, controversy, and poignancy.

• Record-breaking feat: His 61 home runs stood as the MLB single-season standard until Mark McGwire broke it in 1998.

• American League record longevity: Maris remained the American League (AL) record holder until Aaron Judge hit 62 in 2022.

• Cultural memory & respect: Over time, many scholars and baseball writers have reassessed his importance, giving him more credit for how difficult the record chase was.

• Inspirational figure: His perseverance under pressure, his humility, and his readiness to accept criticism have become part of how fans and players remember him.

• Not in the Hall of Fame (yet): Despite his achievements, Maris was never elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame via the writers’ vote.

In addition, artifacts connected to Maris—most notably his 1961 jersey—continue to command high interest at auctions, reflecting the enduring fascination with his career.

Lessons from Roger Maris

1. Records come with costs.
   Achieving greatness—especially when comparing to legends—invites scrutiny, stress, and backlash. Maris’s experience shows that historic breakthroughs often carry personal burdens.

2. Humility amid fame matters.
   Maris’s desire to be “one of the guys” and his unwillingness to seek the spotlight saved his dignity and earned long-term respect.

3. Perseverance in adversity.
   He faced injuries, doubt, and emotional strain but remained committed throughout his career, finishing on note of contribution.

4. Legacy evolves.
   Immediate reactions to achievement can be harsh or unfair; over time, perspective changes. Maris’s reassessment in baseball history shows that reputation is not fixed.

5. Achievement ≠ validation.
   Despite his record and MVP awards, Maris never enjoyed full acceptance in his lifetime—pointing to how public esteem and personal achievement diverge.

Conclusion

Roger Maris was more than just a one-season wonder. His 1961 home run record placed him among baseball’s immortals, but he carried that distinction under heavy burdens—criticism, media spotlight, and the struggle for fairness.

Though he passed away far too young, Maris’s life invites reflection: on what it means to pursue greatness, how society treats record-breakers, and how humility can soften the glare of fame.