- Oct 20, 2013
- 55,614
- 17,650
- 2,250
The internet is full of articles pertaining to the glaring omission of Roger Maris from the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Many baseball fans think Maris should be in the hall, and should have been there years ago.
It's mind boggling that the guy who still holds the very prestigious record of most home runs in a single (162 game) season, is not in the hall. Quite an accomplishment to have stood for 53 years, with just a handful of players hitting 50 something HRs in a season, over that long span, and no one reaching 60, but Maris.
In addition, Maris was the American League MVP 2 years in a row in a league that included such hall of famers as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Harmon Killebrew. He also hit 275 home runs in only 12 seasons, and had a better home run % (1 HR in every 18.5 at bats) than quite a few hitters, some of whom had over 500 career home runs, and all of whom are in the Baseball Hall of Fame >> (Reggie Jackson, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Eddie Murray, Stan Musial, Dave Winfield, and Carl Yastremski).
It might also be noted that besides his home run power, Maris was an exceptionally good right fielder. His Yankee Stadium predesessor in right field, Hank Bauer once said "Roger wasn't a good right fielder. He was a great right fielder." Older Yankee fans may still remember the pinpoint accurate throw Maris made to home plate - a game-saving play in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1962 World Series, against the San Francisco Giants. With the Yankees leading 1-0 and Matty Alou on first, Willie Mays doubled toward the right-field line. Maris cut off the ball and made a strong throw to prevent Alou from scoring the tying run; the play set up Willie McCovey's series-ending line drive to second baseman Bobby Richardson.
Maris was also a 7 time all star, and a Gold Glove winner, and attained the honors of top right fielder in fielding average in a season, in both the American and National leagues (1960, 1964, 1967).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Maris_Kennedy.gif/235px-Maris_Kennedy.gif
It's mind boggling that the guy who still holds the very prestigious record of most home runs in a single (162 game) season, is not in the hall. Quite an accomplishment to have stood for 53 years, with just a handful of players hitting 50 something HRs in a season, over that long span, and no one reaching 60, but Maris.
In addition, Maris was the American League MVP 2 years in a row in a league that included such hall of famers as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Harmon Killebrew. He also hit 275 home runs in only 12 seasons, and had a better home run % (1 HR in every 18.5 at bats) than quite a few hitters, some of whom had over 500 career home runs, and all of whom are in the Baseball Hall of Fame >> (Reggie Jackson, Ernie Banks, Eddie Mathews, Mel Ott, Eddie Murray, Stan Musial, Dave Winfield, and Carl Yastremski).
It might also be noted that besides his home run power, Maris was an exceptionally good right fielder. His Yankee Stadium predesessor in right field, Hank Bauer once said "Roger wasn't a good right fielder. He was a great right fielder." Older Yankee fans may still remember the pinpoint accurate throw Maris made to home plate - a game-saving play in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1962 World Series, against the San Francisco Giants. With the Yankees leading 1-0 and Matty Alou on first, Willie Mays doubled toward the right-field line. Maris cut off the ball and made a strong throw to prevent Alou from scoring the tying run; the play set up Willie McCovey's series-ending line drive to second baseman Bobby Richardson.
Maris was also a 7 time all star, and a Gold Glove winner, and attained the honors of top right fielder in fielding average in a season, in both the American and National leagues (1960, 1964, 1967).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Maris_Kennedy.gif/235px-Maris_Kennedy.gif
Last edited:
