Roger Maris was an American professional baseball player who made history in 1961 when he broke Babe Ruth's record for the most home runs in a single season. Maris was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1934 and grew up playing baseball with his brother in their backyard.
Maris began his professional baseball career in 1957 with the Cleveland Indians, but it wasn't until he was traded to the New York Yankees in 1960 that he really started to shine. In 1961, Maris set out to break Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a single season, which had stood since 1927.
The season was a rollercoaster ride for Maris, who faced intense media scrutiny and pressure to break the record. He struggled with injuries and missed games, and at one point even had to deal with death threats from fans who didn't want to see Ruth's record broken.
Despite all the obstacles, Maris managed to hit his 61st home run in the final game of the season, breaking Ruth's record and securing his place in baseball history. He was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player Award that year, and his record stood for 37 years until it was broken by Mark McGwire in 1998.
Maris's achievement was especially impressive considering the era in which he played. Unlike today, when players have access to state-of-the-art training facilities and nutrition plans, Maris and his contemporaries often played through injuries and relied on natural talent and grit to succeed.
Maris's legacy in baseball lives on today, as he remains one of the most revered and respected players of all time. His story is a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and hard work, and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.
