Home Run record in 154 game schedule? 162 games? What about more than 162? Maris, Mays, Sosa.

Roger Maris hit #61 in team game 163, not 162. Only 60 in first 162 games. Wednesday, September 7, 2022

In 1961 not only did Roger Maris not reach 60 Home Runs (HR) in his team's first 154 games, Maris did not reach 61 HR in his team's first 162 games. Maris hit 60 HR in his team's first 162 games.

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1962 San Francisco Giants Record: 103-62-0 (165 games)

The Giants and Dodgers finished tied with 101 wins after 162 games, the first such schedule in the National League (NL); the American League (AL) went to 162 in 1961. Each league expanded from 8 to 10 teams and added 8 games. There were no divisions. The NL broke such a tie by having the teams play an additional three REGULAR season games. The first team to win two games won the pennant, so they played at least two extra games. The wins in 1962 went: Giants, Dodgers, Giants.

The American League broke ties by having the teams play one additional REGULAR season game.

In 1962 Willie Mays led the NL in Home Runs with 49. Mays hit numbers 48 and 49 in game 163.

Home Runs

1.	Mays • SFG	49
2.	Aaron • MLN	45
3.	Robinson • CIN	39
4.	Banks • CHC	37
5.	Cepeda • SFG	35
6.	Thomas • NYM	34
7.	Howard • LAD	31
8.	Adcock • MLN	29
	Mathews • MLN	29
	Demeter • PHI	29

Mays didn't need those two final HR to lead the NL. But suppose Mays had 59 through 162 games and he then had the opportunity to play three more games? Then his two HR in game 163 would have tied the number hit by Roger Maris the year before in the American League's first 162 game schedule. Because of an early tie game the 1961 Yankees played 163 games and Maris hit #61 in that final game 163 to break the 1927 record of 60 hit by Babe Ruth in the 154 game schedule. Note: the 1927 Yankees also had a tie game but Ruth hit #60 in Yankee game 154. Suppose further that Mays hit two more HR for a total of 63. Would there have been controversy over the record?

Let's try another example that is closer to the HR record: 1998 NL.

Home Runs

1.	McGwire • STL	70
2.	Sosa • CHC	66
3.	Vaughn • SDP	50
4.	Castilla • COL	46
5.	Galarraga • ATL	44
6.	Alou • HOU	38
	Burnitz • MIL	38
	Guerrero • MON	38
9.	Bonds • SFG	37
10.	Jones • ATL	34
	Lopez • ATL	34
	Bagwell • HOU	34

In 1998 Mark McGwire of the Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Cubs both broke the season HR record with 70 and 66 respectively. But Sosa's Cubs tied the Giants for the one wild card playoff spot with 89 wins each. They played one extra REGULAR season game to decide:

Monday, September 28, 1998

Start Time: 7:10 p.m. Local

Attendance: 39,556

Venue: Wrigley Field

Game Duration: 3:41

Night Game, on grass

Cubs 5, Giants 3

HR: Gary Gaetti (19, off Mark Gardner, 5th inn, 1 on, 0 outs to Deep LF).

That was the only HR in the game. If you check the career stats for then 39 year old Gary Gaetti, you will see that he hit 19 HR in 1998.

Suppose that Sosa had 69 HR through 162 games and hit two more in game 163? Would people have been debating whether Sosa or McGwire were the real HR record holder?

Sammy Sosa

Position: Rightfielder

Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right

6-0, 165lb (183cm, 74kg)

Born: November 12, 1968 (Age: 53-300d) in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic do

High School: San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic)

 

The case against Roger Maris 61 Home Runs in 1961: expansion (25% more teams) and EIGHT (5.2%) more games. Wednesday, August 31, 2022

So, basic common sense is that Roger Maris did not break the season record of Babe Ruth because Maris did not do it in his team's first 154 games. It seems pretty clear and fair. Maris hit his final two in these Yankee games:

159: 60

163: 61.

163

Come on. How much of a break does Maris deserve? Forget the steroids. Think about the number of games.

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60 Home Runs in 154 games: Ruth yes. Maris no. Bonds, McGwire, Sosa? Monday, June 12, 2017