Heading into the 1961 season, Yankees right fielder Roger Maris had hit a total of 125 home runs over the course of his first four seasons in the major leagues for a strong 31.3 average per season. Yet no one could imagine when the Bronx Bombers began spring training that the Minnesota native would nearly double that average and shatter the iconic Babe Ruth's seasonal record. Sure there were eight ore games on the schedule, but even still, if there was anyone on the roster that was primed to take a shot at the Bambino's mark, everyone naturally assumed it would be Mickey Mantle. And the Mick was neck-and-neck with Maris throughout the famous 1961 season before injury forced him to the sidelines and set the stage for Maris, who signed the knob of this bat in vintage black marker. Pencil marks can also still be seen on the Hillerich & Bradsby model K90 lumber which measures 34.5", weighs 32 ounces, shows light use and displays in NRMT condition. Mars would return to his normal pace the following season with 33 home runs and would never hit more than that the remainder of his career.