Roger Maris Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
ROGER MARIS
Born: September 10, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota
Died: December 14, 1985 in Houston, Texas
Died: December 14, 1985 in Houston, Texas
Baseball Career: First Game: April 16, 1957; Final Game: September 29, 1968 Bat: Left Throw: Right Height: 6' 0" Weight: 197 Awards and Achievements: Named AL Most Valuable Player by Baseball Writers' Association of America (1960 to 1961) Named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News (1961) Named AL Player of the Year by The Sporting News (1960 to 1961) Named outfielder on The Sporting News Major League All-Star Team (1960) Named outfielder on The Sporting News AL All-Star Team (1961) Won AL Gold Glove as right fielder (1960) Roger Maris This article was written by Bill Pruden and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research With one extraordinary season Roger Maris secured his place in baseball history. And yet his establishment of the major league home run record in 1961 proved to be more of a personal curse than a professional triumph. It also overshadowed, indeed overwhelmed, the totality of a career characterized at least as much by his consistent and important contributions to a string of League and World Championship teams--in both leagues throughout the 1960s--as by any single slugging accomplishment.The son of immigrants, the future home run king was born Roger Eugene Maras (the family name--or at least his side--was later changed to Maris, a change that may have resulted from family tension) on September 10, 1934, in Hibbing, Minnesota. The family moved to North Dakota when Maris was five, and he graduated from Bishop Shanley High School in Fargo. There he was an athletic legend, once returning four kick-offs for touchdowns in a single game, a feat that remains a national record. Indeed, Maris's football exploits earned him a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, but quickly realizing that college life was not for him, he turned his full attention to baseball, where he would make an indelible mark.An American Legion star whose strong all-around play attracted the attention of many scouts, Maris began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians organization, being first assigned to their Fargo-Morehead club in the Northern League in 1953. Achieving much early success, he moved up the ladder the next year to the Keokuk (Iowa) Kernels, where he quickly demonstrated his all-around talent, tying an Three-I League single season record for put-outs by an outfielder in 1954, while hitting .303 and crushing seventy-eight home runs from 1953-56. Keokuk was also the place where Maris, who in his early years viewed himself as a contact hitter, discovered his power. His manager Jo Jo White taught him to pull the ball, thus unleashing what would prove to be a history-making force. But first that power helped lead the Indianapolis Indians to the 1956 Junior World Series title.
1980-Hee-Haw (in person), 1967-1967-World-Series (in person), 1961-The-Annual-National-Sports-Awards (in person), 1998-Race-for-the-Record (Other), 1961-Perry-Como's-Kraft-Music-Hall (in person), 1968-1968-World-Series (in person), 1963-1963-World-Series (in person), 1961-The-National-Sports-Awards (in person), 2008-Bigger-Stronger-Faster* (Other), 2006-Costas-Now (Other), 1960-1963-The-Ed-Sullivan-Show (in person), 2010-30-for-30 (Other), 2005-ESPN-25:-Who's-#1 (Other), 2001-Boston-Red-Sox:-100-Years-of-Baseball-History (Other), 2001-The-Greatest-Summer-of-My-Life:-Billy-Crystal-and-the-Making-of (Other), 1992-The-50-Greatest-Home-Runs-in-Baseball-History (Other), 1986-Pinstripe-Power:-The-Story-of-the-1961-New-York-Yankees (Other), 1980-It's-My-Turn (in person), 1964-1964-World-Series (in person), 1962-1962-World-Series (in person), 1962-Safe-at-Home! (in person), 1961-1961-World-Series (in person), 1960-1960-World-Series (in person), 2010-HBO-Boxing-After-Dark (Other), 1991-Baseball's-Record-Breakers (in person), 1983-1983-Cracker-Jack-Oldtimer's-Baseball-Classic (in person)
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ROGER MARIS In Yankee Stadium. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Bill/Good Luck/Roger Maris". Color, 8x10. The man who broke Babe Ruth's record by hitting 61 home runs in 1961 poses in Yankee Stadium, "The House that Ruth Built".Sale Price $637.50
$750.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 8x10. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8x10 overall, image 7¼x9 (one surface). Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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ROGER MARIS. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 7x8½. Pictured just after he hit his record-breaking 61st home run at the end of the 1961 season. Roger Maris (1934-1985), whoSale Price $722.50
$850.00
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ROGER MARIS. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 7½x9½. Roger Maris (1934-1985), who played for the Cleveland Indians (1957-1958) and the Kansas City Athletics (1958-1959) before donningSale Price $1,105.00
$1,300.00
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ROGER MARISThe first Major Leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs signs this 8½x11 photocopy Photocopy signed in Ink: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8½x11. Roger Maris (1934-1985), who playedSale Price $467.50
$550.00
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ROGER MARIS. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 7½x7¼. Reproduction of a newspaper photograph showing the Yankee slugger just after he hit his 61st home run. Roger Maris (1934-1985), whoSale Price $765.00
$900.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 3¼x4½. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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ROGER MARIS. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8x10. Informal photograph of Maris as a New York Yankee. Maris broke Babe Ruth's single season record when he hit 61 home runs in 1961.Sale Price $382.50
$425.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 8x10. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
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1961 ALL-STARS: ROGER MARIS, MICKEY MANTLE, HARMON KILLEBREW, NORM CASH and ROCKY COLAVITO A group of all-stars from 1961 sign a black and white image of themselves, Framed to 16½x24¼.Sale Price $2,975.00
$3,500.00
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ROGER MARIS and MICKEY MANTLE. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris" and "Mickey Mantle". B/w, 9¼x7¼. Photograph of 1961 All-Stars; Harmon Killebrew, Jim Gentile, Norm Cash and Rocky Colavito are also pictured but did not sign.Sale Price $2,125.00
$2,500.00
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ROGER MARIS, WILLIE MAYS and MICKEY MANTLE Black and white publicity photograph of Roger Maris, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle holding their bats. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris", "Willie Mays" and "Mickey/Mantle". B/w, 9x6¾.Sale Price $2,380.00
$2,800.00
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ROGER MARIS.Comprises: (1) Sports Card signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 2½x3½. Topps #2. Stats from 1953-1960 on verso. Displayed in 3½x5 case. Fine condition. (2) Baseball signed: "Roger Maris". Official Rawlings Bobby Brown American League baseball. Slightly soiled. Minor bumps. Fine condition.Sale Price $2,380.00
$2,800.00
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ROGER MARIS.He signs on this contract for an appearance for Kraft Foods per NCB-TV Typed Contract signed: "Roger Maris", 11½p, 8½x11. No place, 1961 September 5.In letter form from Roncom Productions to Maris c/o Frank Scott, The Biltmore Hotel, New York.Sale Price $2,125.00
$2,500.00
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ROGER MARISHe agrees to appear in a taping of Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall on September 29, 1961; He would hit his record breaking 61st homer two days later! Carbon Typed DS: "Roger Maris" in ink under "Agreed to and Accepted", 1p, 8½x11. New York, New York, 1961 September 5.Sale Price $1,870.00
$2,200.00
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ROGER MARIS. Lower portion of a Partly Printed DS: "Roger Maris", 1p, 8½x7¼. No place, [1962 January 9]Countersigned: "Thos M. Lacey" for Cooper Tire & Rubber Conpany. Top portion of document cut away. In part: "In consideration whereof, Roger Maris...Sale Price $807.50
$950.00
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ROGER MARIS and MICKEY MANTLE. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris" and "Mickey/Mantle". B/w with yellow hue, 7¼x8¼. In 1961, MARIS broke Babe Ruth's single season record when he hit 61 home runs. The record had stood for 34 years. Maris, American League MVP in 1960 and 1961, still holds the A.L.Sale Price $2,380.00
$2,800.00
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ROGER MARIS, WILLIE MAYS and MICKEY MANTLE Black and white with yellow hue publicity photograph of Roger Maris, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle holding their bats. Photograph signed: "Roger Maris", "Willie Mays" and "Mickey/Mantle". B/w with yellow hue, 10x8 overall, image 9½x6¾ (one surface).Sale Price $2,040.00
$2,400.00
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ROGER MARIS. Magazine Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 8½x11. Roger Maris (1934-1985) broke Babe Ruth's single-season record when he hit 61 home runs in 1961. While National Leaguers Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs in 1998 and Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001, Roger Maris still holds the American League record.Sale Price $382.50
$425.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8½x11. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $427.50
$475.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 7½x9¾. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $382.50
$425.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine Photograph signed: "Best Wishes/Roger Maris". B/w, 8x11. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $382.50
$425.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8½x11 overall, image 6¼x8¾ (one surface). Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $382.50
$425.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". B/w with green hue, 5x8. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $360.00
$400.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Magazine Photograph signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 8x10. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
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ROGER MARIS, ORLANDO CEPEDA and TIM McCARVER. Magazine Photographs signed: "Roger Maris", "Orlando Cepeda" and "Tim McCarver" on their respective photos. Color, 8½x11. MARIS broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $315.00
$350.00
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ROGER MARIS8x8 photocopied image of the first Major Leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs Photocopy signed in Ink: "Roger Maris". B/w, 8x8. Roger Maris (1934-1985), who played for the Cleveland IndiansSale Price $450.00
$500.00
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ROGER MARIS First major leaguer to hit more than 60 home runs. Sports Card signed: "Roger Maris". Color, 2½x3½. Maris broke Babe Ruth's 34-year-old major league record of 60 home runs in one season when he hit 61 in 1961.Sale Price $396.00
$440.00
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ROGER MARIS The 1960 AL MVP signs a 1975 Topps "1960 MVPs" Roger Maris-Dick Groat baseball card #198. Sports Card signed: "Roger Maris" in blue ink, Color 2½x3½. Sealed in a PSA/DNA, 3¼x5½ plastic casing. 1975 Topps "1960 MVPs" Roger Maris-Dick Groat baseball card #198.Sale Price $680.00
$800.00
