The season of giving … to the Yankees
Roger Maris with Kansas City
Exactly two weeks before the start of both Christmas and Hanukkah in 1959, the Kansas City Athletics give the New York Yankees the best of all presents 64 years ago today as they trade outfielder Roger Maris to the Yankees.
In return, the Yankees send to Kansas City a couple of spare parts in pitcher Don Larsen and outfielder Hank Bauer, a solid hitter in first baseman Norm Siebern and another first baseman in the not-so-marvelous Marvelous Marv Throneberry.
With Maris, the Yankees – who disappointingly miss the World Series in 1959 – spend the next five Octobers in the World Series.
Over that time, Maris is named the American League’s MVP both in 1960 and ’61, and hits 61 homers in 1961 to break Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 set in 1927.
Maris plays twice more in the World Series for St. Louis in 1967 and '68 before retiring.
New York Times photo
Roger Maris watching home run No. 61 in 1961