Roger Maris’ Home Run Record Appears in Danger

Everybody knows about Roger Maris losing hair as the stress of the home run chase got to him. But few knew about Reggie Jackson’s hives. In 1969, Jackson was taking dead aim at Maris’ mark and he had 37 home runs at the All-Star break. However, Jackson was just 23 years old, and he was nervous about chasing Babe Ruth and Maris.

A decade later Reggie would be known as Mr. October because nobody relished the spotlight more than Jackson, who came to New York to make his nickname. But just a few years removed from the Arizona State campus, the story was a lot different. Jackson certainly wasn’t Mr. August or Mr. September that ’69 season, hitting just 10 home runs after the break when he battled hives. He finished with 47 homers, 14 short of the coveted mark. “I felt the pressure did get me,” Jackson admitted recently. “I was 23 years old. I didn’t really know what was going on. If I had been older, I would have taken a shot at the high 50s anyway. I courted Ruth and Maris for most of the season. But I wasn’t old enough.”

Twenty-seven years later, Maris’ 61 homers still stand as the record. His mark has held up through 34 baseball seasons, although the 33rd and 34th years were cut short by labor problems, short-circuiting some of the hotter challenges to his record. Ruth’s hallowed mark endured until Maris broke it 34 years later. So the record that had an asterisk until it was removed in 1990 is understandably gathering respect. Maris’ season is so highly regarded now that two members of the Veterans Committee campaigned this year for his failed Hall-of-Fame candidacy despite a career that pales in comparison to most other elected outfielders: a .260 batting average and 275 career home runs.

Now, with a bevy of impressive power hitters, perhaps the best group since the 1960s of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Willie Stargell, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Maris and Jackson, some believe Maris’ record could be in jeopardy. Another plus: Despite failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement, they players are expected to complete their first full season since 1993.

Jackson also sees an opprtunity for Belle, Ken Griffey, Matt Williams and Frank Thomas, at least. In Jackson’s view, the combination of these talented sluggers and a lack of front-line pitchers could lead to something historic.