ROGER MARIS vs AARON JUDGE

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Not to the same degree. Mantle was the hometown hero. He'd been on the Yankees for a decade already. Maris had just gotten there and despite winning MVP, I don't hear too many people talk about Maris as their favorite Yankee.

To further demonstrate how much the house stacked against Maris and wanted to down play everything about what he was doing, the commissioner actually released a statement right around the all star break that down played any accomplishment associated with a potential home run chase unless it was done in 154 games.

For whatever reason, the public, the press, even the commissioner of baseball, was against Roger Maris in every way.

I think a common opinion expressed in the press at the time was something along the lines of "if someone's going to break Ruth's record, it should be Mantle."

Imagine what Henry Aaron went through. Maris, at least, was white.

[packs]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Imagine what Henry Aaron went through. Maris, at least, was white.

Oh, for sure, but it also helped that Hank was already a legend by the time he got to 715. There was no denying his career or place in the game. But I have no doubt it was a deeply disturbing period of his life.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

Oh, for sure, but it also helped that Hank was already a legend by the time he got to 715. There was no denying his career or place in the game. But I have no doubt it was a deeply disturbing period of his life.

More than 25 years after Jackie Robinson, apparently he was getting stacks of hate mail daily, and not infrequent death threats. If it had been as easy as posting online back then, the volume probably would have been 100 times greater.

[packs]

The video of Hank rounding the bases with the two fans at his side is an incredible moment not just for sports but also for the time. I'm sure Hank had no greater fear than some maniac doing something crazy at the ballpark and to see him instantly recognize the moment he was in when those fans approached him is inspiring.

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://fanbuzz.com/mlb/hank-aaron-715/

[packs]

It could have gone very differently. I'm sure Reggie hasn't thought about the people he mowed down after the 77 series once.

[bb66]

This has been a very good discussion about Maris,Wilson,and all the other players that had a huge statistical season that gets them noticed by everyone that watches the HOF. Thanks

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

The video of Hank rounding the bases with the two fans at his side is an incredible moment not just for sports but also for the time. I'm sure Hank had no greater fear than some maniac doing something crazy at the ballpark and to see him instantly recognize the moment he was in when those fans approached him is inspiring.

It's pretty remarkable to me there aren't far more incidents of fans rushing the field and making trouble.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's pretty remarkable to me there aren't far more incidents of fans rushing the field and making trouble.

I've noticed they don't rush the field at all lately. Back in the day, they did after Mazeroski's home run, the Impossible Dream Red Sox beating the Twins, Hank Aaron's 715th, Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair, but off the top of my head I can't think of any more recently than that.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by egri

I've noticed they don't rush the field at all lately. Back in the day, they did after Mazeroski's home run, the Impossible Dream Red Sox beating the Twins, Hank Aaron's 715th, Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair, but off the top of my head I can't think of any more recently than that.

Chris Chambliss HR to win the 1976 ALCS.