1961* The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase

Before Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa, there was Roger Maris, the reluctant home run king who electrified the baseball world with one of the most unforgettable seasons the sport has ever known. Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, Maris was a small-town boy who unwillingly became a New York Yankee when he was traded by the Kansas City Athletics. Almost immediately, he was thrust into the glare of the big-city lights and found himself pursuing one of the most prestigious and most celebrated of all baseball records: Babe Ruth's single-season home run mark of 60, set in 1927. Thirty-four years later, Maris joylessly was drawn into the chase and found himself the eye in a storm of controversy. He became the center of attention he never sought and the recipient of a celebrity he didn't want. As a young sportswriter, Phil Pepe joined the fray on August 2 when he took over as the Yankees beat writer for the New York World-Telegram & Sun, and he covered Maris' race for the record to the very end. Here, in 1961*, is his firsthand account of that historic home run challenge and the man that conquered it.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Maris’ Legendary Season
Before Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa, there was Roger Maris, the reluctant home run king who electrified the baseball world with one of the most unforgettable seasons the sport has ever known and the focus of 1961*: The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase. The 1961 season became a benchmark for baseball power hitting when Maris belted 61 homers, eclipsing the previous 34-year record of 60 set by Babe Ruth. A small-town boy at heart, Maris shunned the limelight and was overwhelmed by the attention and celebrity heaped up on him. In the middle of that season, Phil Pepe took over as the Yankees beat writer for the New York World-Telegram & Sun and he covered Maris' race for the record to the very end. 1961* is Pepe's firsthand account of that historic home run challenge and the man that conquered it. For more information, please refer to the official page for 1961*.

1961*

1961*: The Inside Story of the

Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase

By Phil Pepe

 

Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.252.1248, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

Babe Ruth's 60 home runs for the 1927 New York Yankees stood for more than three decades as the most hallowed mark in American sports, surviving threats from Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx, Ralph Kiner, and Hank Greenberg.

 

Yet in 1961, two Yankees experienced a season-long power surge and approached the Babe's mark. It was a surprise to few that Mickey Mantle, the Yankees' star center fielder who had already won four American League home run crowns and two MVP awards, found himself on pace to top 60. Joining Mantle in his chase for the record books was young right fielder Roger Maris, a small-town boy who unwillingly became a New York Yankee when he was traded by the Kansas City Athletics after the 1959 season.

 

In 1961*: The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase, author Phil Pepe-the Yankees beat writer for the New York World-Telegram & Sun during that memorable season-provides a firsthand account of the historic home run challenge, including:

 

• Maris, the unlikely hero who ultimately conquered baseball's ultimate record
• The Yankees locker room as Maris and Mantle dealt with growing media attention as the season wore on.
• Why Mickey Mantle had to call it quits late in the season during the home run chase
• The unique rules put into place by Commissioner Ford Frick that caused the record books to show entries for both Ruth, who hit 60 home runs in a 154-game season, and Maris, whose 61 came in a 162-game season

 

Including new interviews with Maris' teammates and others, 1961*: The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase provides a fresh look back at the original home run chase that captivated a nation.

 

About the Author:

As a young sportswriter, Phil Pepe was assigned the role of Yankees beat writer for the New York World-Telegram & Sun on August 2, 1961, and he covered Roger Maris' race for the home run record to the very end. Pepe is the author of more than 50 books on sports, including a biography of Yogi Berra and collaborations with Yankees legends Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, and Whitey Ford. Pepe was the Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News from 1968 through 1981 and is a past president of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

 

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