# 3188n - 1999 33c Celebrate the Century - 1960s: Roger Maris Breaks 61 in '61
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33¢ Roger Maris, 61 in â61
Celebrate the Century â 1960s
City: Green Bay, WI
Quantity:Â 8,000,000
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforations: 11.5
Birth of Roger Maris
Marisâ family moved to North Dakota when he was a teenager. There he played baseball and football in high school. He still holds the high schoolâs record for the most return touchdowns in a game, with four.
Maris began his baseball career in 1953, playing for the Cleveland Indianâs minor league team, the Fargo-Moorhead Twins. He was made rookie of the year for the Northern League that year. He spent four years in the minor league, playing for five different teams, all of which had a better win-loss record when he was on their team. He also scored a record seven runs in the 1956 Junior World Series.
By October 1, the final day of the season, Maris had 60 home runs, tied with Ruth. In the fourth inning, he faced Boston Red Sox pitcher Tracy Stallard. When Maris connected on the third pitch, the stadium fell silent as the ball raced for the stands. When the ball hit with a thump about ten rows up in the seats, the crowd let out a roar. The baseball was caught by a fan and returned to Maris. The ball is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Maris received the Hickok Belt, honored as the top professional athlete of the year. He also won that yearâs American League MVP Award. He remained with the Yankees through 1966, making his seventh and final All-Star Game appearance. He played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, which included perhaps the best World Series performance of his career, before retiring in 1968.Â
Click here for detailed stats from Marisâ career and here to view Marisâ famed 61 in â61 homerun.Â
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33¢ Roger Maris, 61 in â61
Celebrate the Century â 1960s
City: Green Bay, WI
Quantity:Â 8,000,000
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforations: 11.5
Birth of Roger Maris
Marisâ family moved to North Dakota when he was a teenager. There he played baseball and football in high school. He still holds the high schoolâs record for the most return touchdowns in a game, with four.
Maris began his baseball career in 1953, playing for the Cleveland Indianâs minor league team, the Fargo-Moorhead Twins. He was made rookie of the year for the Northern League that year. He spent four years in the minor league, playing for five different teams, all of which had a better win-loss record when he was on their team. He also scored a record seven runs in the 1956 Junior World Series.
By October 1, the final day of the season, Maris had 60 home runs, tied with Ruth. In the fourth inning, he faced Boston Red Sox pitcher Tracy Stallard. When Maris connected on the third pitch, the stadium fell silent as the ball raced for the stands. When the ball hit with a thump about ten rows up in the seats, the crowd let out a roar. The baseball was caught by a fan and returned to Maris. The ball is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Maris received the Hickok Belt, honored as the top professional athlete of the year. He also won that yearâs American League MVP Award. He remained with the Yankees through 1966, making his seventh and final All-Star Game appearance. He played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, which included perhaps the best World Series performance of his career, before retiring in 1968.Â
Click here for detailed stats from Marisâ career and here to view Marisâ famed 61 in â61 homerun.Â
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