Roger Maris

Roger Eugene Maris (born Maras; September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American professional baseball right fielder who played twelve seasons in Major League Baseball. After playing in the minor leagues from 1953 to 1956, he made his major league debut for the Cleveland Indians in 1957. He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1958 season and to the New York Yankees after the 1959 season. Maris was named an American League All-Star from 1959 through 1962, won the AL Most Valuable Player Award in both 1960 and 1961, and earned an AL Gold Glove Award in 1960.

In 1961, Maris set a new MLB single-season home run record with 61 home runs, surpassing the previous record of 60 set by Babe Ruth in 1927. The record was controversial: Ruth's mark had been set during a period when teams played 154 games per season, while Maris hit his 61st in the year the AL season was extended to 162 games.

Maris appeared in seven World Series, playing for Yankees teams that won championships in 1961 and 1962. He finished his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 and 1968, helping the team to a World Series title in 1967.