In 1961 the centerfielder and the right fielder for the New York Yankees were chasing another legendary Yankee right fielder and a hallowed single season record. Of course, that was Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris pursuing George Herman “Babe” Ruth and the single season record for home runs. In 1932 Ruth hit 60 HR, breaking his own record of 47 set the season before. But in the summer of 1961, both Mantle and Maris were in hot pursuit of the record. Only there was a catch. Ruth had slugged his 60 homers in a 154-game season while Mantle and Maris were engaged in playing a 162-game season.
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