PSA BatFacts™

When it comes to Roger Maris bats, there are a couple of characteristics to note. There are actually four different styles of knob notations seen on Maris gamers. "Roger" or "Maris" notations on the knob can often be seen in vintage photographs. It is believed that these notations were actually made by Maris himself and they have a very distinct look. On occasion, you can also find Maris gamers with an "RM" or an underlined "9" on the knob. Maris was a user of pine tar and the placement of the tar is usually seen on the upper handle in a concentrated six-inch area—a pattern that is very similar to the one seen on some 1960s Mickey Mantle bats. Furthermore, it is clear that Maris was loyal to H&B bats throughout his playing days. With the exception of rookie-era gamers, it is clear that Yankee-era bats are valued higher than bats used during his St. Louis Cardinal days at the end of his career. A documented home run bat from the magical 1961 season sold for $38,705 in 2004.

Roger Eugene Maris (1934-1985) was a mild mannered right fielder from North Dakota who was catapulted into superstardom during the 1961 season as he and fellow Yankee outfielder Mickey Mantle chased the great Babe Ruth’s single season home run record of 60. Roger spent two years with the Cleveland Indians (1957-1958) and Kansas City Athletics (1958-1959) respectively, before joining the New York Yankees where he achieved his greatest success. Maris displayed excellent patience and poise at the plate, as well as power, early on in his career, blasting 14 home runs as an Indians rookie and 28 the following season with the Tribe and the A’s. Roger reached the Bronx Bombers as a certified power hitter clouting 39 in his fourth season, adding 141 hits, 112 RBI and posting a .283 batting average, en route to the 1960 American League Most Valuable Player Award. Maris began the 1961 season having reportedly said, “Nobody will touch it… it’s a rare year when anybody hits 50 homers, let alone 60”, in reference to Ruth’s monumental record of 60 home runs in a season. Maris and Mantle, the M&M Boys, gave the record a run with Mantle crushing 54 before being sidelined with a hip infection. Maris, however, through extreme adversity and stress, hit his record breaking 61^st home run on the final game of he season of Boston’s Tracy Stallard. Maris was again named 1961 AL MVP and he helped guide the Yanks to his second World Series, where they were victorious over the Cincinnati Reds. Roger Maris was a member of five American League pennant winning Yankee teams, winning the World Series twice (1961, 1962) and a member of two National League St. Louis Cardinals pennant winner, winning the World Series in 1967. Maris was a seven-time All-Star selection and was the 1960 Gold Glove recipient. Roger Maris retired after two seasons with St. Louis with totals of 1,325 hits, 826 runs, 850 RBI, 275 home runs and a career .260 batting average.