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Nope. Roger Maris, who until this year held the single season record for home runs, isn't currently enshrined in Cooperstown. While his 1961 accomplishment of hitting 61 homers (eclipsing Babe Ruth's record of 60) has shone brighter and brighter in recent years, finally it just may not be enough to put him in among the game's historical elite. To see what Maris is up against, browse the member gallery of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. There you'll find career totals for sluggers like Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth, pitchers such as Cy Young and Bob Gibson, and great fielders like Luis Aparicio and Pee Wee Reese. While he was generally acknowledged as a well-rounded ballplayer, Maris was primarily known for his offense. It seems,
however, that his career numbers are shy of the obvious benchmarks that get you into the Hall, like 3000 hits or 500 home runs or a lifetime .300 batting average. Still, Maris's numbers are respectable, as you can see at Roger Maris #9, which offers season-by-season stats for the slugger. Luckily for Maris supporters, raw numbers alone do not a Hall-of-Famer make. There is ample opportunity for the selection committee to consider the "intangibles" -- All-Star appearances, season MVPs, leadership, individual records, and the like. For a nice overview of the Yankee right fielder's career, take a look at Yankee Players: Roger Maris. If after
reflecting on Maris's accomplishments and career stats, you feel that he belongs in the pantheon of baseball greats, then just swing by Elect Roger Maris to express your opinion on the former home-run king's rightful place in history.
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