Mickey Mantle: The 1961 Home Run Race with Roger Maris

Mickey Mantle talks about his 1961 home run race with Roger Maris. Excerpted from the award-winning program, Mickey Mantle: The American Dream Comes To Life®. Available on DVD at 1-800-THE MICK / www.themick.com.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Mickey
• Mantle
• Baseball
• New
• York
• Yankees
• Bronx
• Bombers
• Home
• Runs
• Run
• Race
• Roger
• Maris
• Record

[mannyrama]

In light of the steroid revelations, this may have been the greatest home run race ever. Mickey and Roger Maris did it the right way - no chemical assistance. What an awesome performance by two incredible athletes!

[CharlesMalone1]

This HR race was the greatest baseball thrill of my life. It's significance has not dimmed with the passage of time. And, true, it was an honest display of talent, unlike the horrible hitting records done later by the big, muscled up, steroid filled mercenaries.

[frankpaddyank]

A true gentleman!

[awheck52]

It all Started in 1961 for me. I am from New Orleans and I am a dedicated Saints and Hornets fan. How sad it is we have no Pro Baseball team here. So in 1961 I was 6 years old. The Yankees were my team. Years have gone by and I can still recall the whole starting line-up. Now I also had the pleasure of watching the 1 baseball game shown on NBC once a week with Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese. What a trip. Watching that whole HR race between the M & M boys was something special. 

[aitraining]

@CircaMay85 I wouldn't be so sure Griffey didn't use. Performing Enhancing Drugs are not just for bulking up. They allow you to play harder, stay healthier and not feel the little injuries. Notice the cliff Griffey fell off after the steroid stuff broke. The guy was constantly hurt and went downhill fast. No proof....just sayin'

[fukOsamazMama]

Maris belongs in the Hall. There's no excuse for it. It's bullshit. The Rock n Roll HOF is lame too.

[radioactivekaraoke]

The separate single-season home run records remained until Nineteen

Ninety-One, when Fay Vincent, the commissioner of baseball, ordered that

there be only one record. Roger Maris died six years earlier, never

knowing that the record belonged to him.

[singingindark12]

@mannyrama

without doubt... 

[MegaObserver1]

@jmallton But not 1961. That was the first expansion year in the American League and the pitching throughout the league was diluted. Many young pitchers who weren't ready for the big leagues were pressed into service for almost every team that season.

[MegaObserver1]

Mickey and Roger became friends and continued that friendship even after the both retired after the '68 season. Mickey was instrumental in convincing Roger to come back to Yankee Stadium to be honored by the club in the early 80's. And Mickey went to North Dakota for Roger's funeral in 1985.

[jasoneavey]

This kinda of player is a thing of the past.........its now all about the flash and the cash......being born in the late 70s.....i was robbed of ever witnessing the true heart and game of baseball!!!!!