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With 58th Homer, Maris in Rare Company

Sept. 17, 1961 - What was Roger Maris thinking as he rounded the basepaths following his game-winning homer in the 12th inning at Tiger Stadium today? "Honestly," the slugger said afterward, "my first thought was that these were two runs that put us ahead of the Tigers. When I stepped on home plate, I thought about having hit my 58th homer. Now, here in the dressing room, I'm thinking about what a great thrill it is to know that I'm second to Babe Ruth." By that, Maris meant that only the Babe ever hit more home runs than he has. Ruth walloped 60 for the Yankees in 1927, 59 in 1921. Two others, Jimmie Foxx in 1932 and Hank Greenberg in 1938, hit 58.


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