Roger Maris Jersey from Memorable 1961 Season on Display at Hall of Fame

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The 1961 baseball season, which found Americans riveted to the great “Maris-Mantle” home run race, will be celebrated upon its 60th anniversary with the donation of a Roger Maris Yankees jersey from that season.

A Yankees home jersey worn by Maris during the 1961 regular season is now a part of the Hall of Fame collection, thanks to author and former MLB executive Andy Strasberg.

Maris’ No. 9 Yankees jersey was donated by Strasberg, who will be featured in a Hall of Fame Virtual Author Series program Aug. 18. Strasberg’s “My 1961” was published earlier this year and recounts his journey as a 13-year-old fan following Maris’ pursuit of the record.

The jersey is on exhibit on the Museum’s second floor in the Timeline display dedicated to the 1950s and ’60s Yankees dynasty.

“The greatest summer of my youth happened in 1961,” Strasberg said. “For decades I have treasured this Maris Yankee pinstriped jersey with the shortened tailored sleeves. But now, on the 60th anniversary of that memorable baseball season, with the approval of the Maris family, it’s time to share it with fans who visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.”

The Yankees went on to win the 1961 World Series in five games, capping a season where New York won 109 regular season contests and set a new American League standard with 240 home runs. Maris was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after totaling 141 RBI to go with his record-setting 61 home runs.

“We are overjoyed with this very generous donation from Andy Strasberg,” said Erik Strohl, Vice President of Exhibitions and Collections at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “The story of Roger’s incredible record-breaking season of 1961 is one that remains just as important and vibrant today as it did half a century ago, when all of baseball was transfixed with Maris’s heroics. As such, we are pleased to display this iconic jersey in our Baseball Timeline exhibit on the Museum’s second floor.”