|
|
Roger Maris always called Fargo, ND his hometown, even though he was born in Hibbing, MN. His family moved to Fargo when he was 12 years old. In high school he excelled at football, basketball and track. During the summers, he played baseball on the Fargo American Legion team, which he led to the state championship. After graduation, Roger signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians organization. After four years in the minor leagues he moved up to the majors in 1957. In the middle of the 1958 season he was traded to Kansas City and then joined the Yankees in 1960. During the summer of 1961 Roger and teammate Mickey Mantle both chased the long-standing record of 60 home runs in a single season, set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Maris went on to break Ruth's record with home run number 61 against the Boston Red Sox on October 1, 1961, the final day of the regular season. He was the American League MVP in 1960 and 1961. He played in seven World Series and seven All-Star games, and hit 275 career home runs. The Yankees retired his number "9" in 1984. He died of lymphoma cancer on December 14, 1985, at the age of 51. His museum is located at the West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo. The museum was dedicated by Roger on June 23, 1984, was completely remodeled and rededicated in 2003. |
|
