At Home Plate - Baseball Bytes - Did you know...AL Pitching Vs Maris

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Did You Know? AL Pitching v. Roger Maris in 1961

Written by Jim Amato (Contact & Archive) on June 22, 2003

AL PITCHING VS ROGER MARIS IN 1961

In 1961 when Roger Maris set the all time season home run record with 61 dingers, 48 different pitcher were co-responsible.

Thirty-seven pitchers were knicked only once by the Mighty Maris. Nine pitchers were roughed up twice by Roger. Maris went deep three times against two pitchers, Jim Perry of the Indians and Pete Burnside of the Senators. The most notable pitching victim on Roger's hit list was fading future Hall of famer Early Wynn. There were several other quality pitchers who surrendered the gopher ball to Roger in 1961. Among them were Camilo Pascual, Mudcat Grant, Billy Pierce, Milt Pappas, Juan Pizzaro and Bill Monbouquette just to mention a few.

Against the expansion clubs of the early 60's Roger hit 13 blasts. He had 9 against the Senators but only 4 against the Angels. He whacked out 13 when playing the White Sox, by far his favorite foe on the season. He hit 8 against both Detroit and Cleveland. Boston allowed 7. Kansas City surrendered 5. Only 4 went out versus Minnesota pitching and the Oriole staff gave up a stingy 3.

Besides Jim Perry and Pete Burnside the other pitchers that were stung on more than one occasion by Roger were Pedro Ramos, Gary Bell, Gene Conley, Frank Lary, Billy Pierce, Cal McLish, Bill Monbouquette, Eli Grba and Ray Herbert.

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