61*

And now Mark McGwire, his historic chase continues.

One home run shy of Babe Ruth.

Two shy of Roger Maris' 61.

He's facing a Reds team...

...that hasn't allowed a McGwire home run all year.

Into left field. They can't say it anymore.

Sixty.

And now Mark McGwire is one home run away...

...from tying a 37-year-old record held by Roger Maris.

I wonder what Dad would've thought of this.

It's weird. In some ways, it's like the best season Dad ever had.

Yeah, he's not even here to see it.

-with the souvenir of a lifetime.

-You guys ready to go? -Just waiting for Mom.

McGwire's date with destiny rapidly approaches.

Thoughts of 1961...

...when two Yankee teammates and that great home run race.

Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, chasing another Yankee great, Babe Ruth.

Sixty-one home runs in a season, a record they said would never be broken.

And as the Maris family makes their way to st. Louis to witness history...

...you're all invited to watch Mark McGwire continue this home run chase.

-Awave to the crowd, a fist into the air. -Okay, I'm ready, let's go.

Folks, don't go anywhere.

The way he's swinging the bat, this could happen soon.

Maybe he won't do it.

Come on, Susan, there's 25 games left.

If he does, he better do it this weekend.

I don't wanna follow him around for the next two weeks.

-Mom? -Mom?

-Mom, what is it? Mom, what's the matter?

I can't catch my breath.

Well, the doctor said it wasn't a heart attack, it's my arrhythmia.

I'm fine. Really, Susan.

I slept well. I feel great this morning.

-Hi, Mom. Hi, Kev.

What's that?

It's Dad's bat.

It's the one he hit the 61st with.

The Hall of Fame sent it to the hotel. They said Mark wanted to hold it.

Can I see it?

The family of Roger Maris aIso came to town.

pat Maris, the widow of Roger Maris, had to be hospitalized upon arrival.

That ball is going, and it's clear.

It is a home run. Number 61.

He has tied Maris.

One more to go for Mark McGwire and his rendezvous with history.

We would like to welcome those who have been watching...

...the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds...

...as Matt McGwire looks on, wondering if this is the at-bat, Tuesday, September 8...

...that Mark McGwire moves one place in front of Roger Maris.

Down the left field line. Is it enough?

-Hey, Rog. -Yeah.

-Take it easy, you wanna break your leg? -Oh, come on, Bob, it's opening day.

Hello, everybody, this is Mel Allen with Phil Rizzuto...

...coming to you live from Yankee Stadium...

...where we're just about an hour away from opening day of the 1961 season.

Mel, I still get goose bumps out here.

-Even in a suit, I'll tell you. -I'm sure you do.

Absolutely, and new Yankee Ralph Houk's got some team...

...what with Yogi and Eli Howard behind the plate...

...chairman of the board, Whitey Ford, Moose Skowran at first...

...and up the middle, we got Richardson and Tony Kubek, and Clete Boyer at third.

And not to mention those bombers, Roger Maris and the great Mickey Mantle.

Who the...?

How does this feel, Mick?

Feels good.

Oh, baby. Good God.

Hey, Whitey, look at that.

She likes to read to the blind.

She's not your type, slick.

Yeah, I like women with small hands.

-Makes my dick look bigger. -Yeah, right.

Hey, Mick, you read Sam Simon's column today?

No. You know I don't read that shit.

That son of a bitch has been after me since day one. What's it say?

All I wrote is he should be coming into his prime.

Instead, he's had two off years in a row.

You're the owner, Dan. You know what I'm talking about.

Oh, for chrissakes, Sam. He hit 40 home runs last season.

Every guy in the league would kill to have that off year.

It's amazing the guy can play considering how much pain he's in.

If he took better care of himself, he wouldn't be injured so much.

You should be thanking me for leaving that out of the paper.

And for the Yankees, at second base, number 133.

All right, three more. Three more.

Hey, Mick. Mickey.

Okay, let's go.

Mickey, how you doing? How you doing, Mick?

Hey, Mick. Mick, you're in the cage.

Opening day, big guy, opening day.

Mick's up.

Come on, Mickey! Go!

Big deal. Only counts as one.

You can write what you want, Sam. The fans love this guy.

They love him.

What the hell does he eat?

Christ, he's unbelievable.

I've been covering this guy 10 years. He still puts me on the edge of my seat.

Oh, look at this. Mr. Ambidextrial.

Ambidextrical?

Ambidextrial. You know, that side, this side.

-You know. -Oh.

Mick, Mick, you gotta concentrate. You're not concentrating.

Ninety percent of the game is half mental.

-Remember that. Come on, Mickey!

Did you see that catch?

This kid may be the best right fielder in the league.

-That's because it was Mantle. -Oh, come on, Maris works hard every day.

You're like a chipmunk running around looking for nuts.

Maris comes over from Kansas City.

First year with the team, beats Mickey for the MVP, closest vote in baseball history.

Telling me Mantle wouldn't be pissed? Maris doesn't have something to prove?

I don't speculate, Artie. I write what I know.

Look, with all due respect, Milt, I don't have a regular column.

There's 15 papers in this town and we can't all write the same thing.

Daddy!

-Daddy. -Hi, honey.

Here you go, Rog. -Oh, thanks, Greg.

Kids up to see Pop get his big award?

Yeah. Just Pat and Susan.

The other ones are too little.

-They're back in Missouri. -Uh-huh.

Came up for opening day, you know, and then back tomorrow. Merlyn here?

She's back in Dallas with the boys. Doesn't like it much up here.

-Who doesn't like it up here? -Your wife.

She likes it down there. You know what I mean?

Mick, what do you say? Is there a rivalry between you and the MVP?

Oh, you want rivalry? Who'd you vote for anyway?

-You know I can't tell you that. -See, Rog, the little prick voted for you.

How about the home run record? Think you got a shot at The Babe?

-What, are you crazy? -Oh, come on.

With expansion, the pitching's gonna be thinner.

Best year I ever had, I only hit 52.

This year, you got eight extra games on the schedule.

It can't be done. Even if you get close, you ain't gonna get nothing to hit.

You're being modest. If you stay healthy you could do it.

Great. One guy's got me all washed up, the other one's got me beating Ruth's record.

You ought to get together, make up your mind...

...tell me how I am so I know how to play.

-What do you say, Rog? -I don't know, Artie.

We haven't even played a game yet...

...so maybe we'll see after we've played one.

Let's go, Roger! Go, Maris!

Look at that, you got the perfect swing for this ballpark.

l don't know. I think if anybody's gonna do it, it's gonna be Mickey.

You know, he hits from both sides of the plate.

And you don't think you got a shot?

With that short porch out there, huh?

I don't know, Artie, I don't think about that.

I'm sorry, you know? I don't know what you want me to say.

I just don't think about that sort of stuff.

Come on.

Look, I gotta get ready for the game, Artie, so I'll talk to you later.

-All right, I'll catch you later. Come on, Roger!

I should've talked to you first, but I met with some of the writers...

...and I told them I'm expecting you to be our leader.

Oh, shit, Ralph, I don't know, you know? I mean, what about Whitey or Yogi?

They've been here longer than me.

You're the heart and soul of this team.

I know Casey can be rough on you, but whatever happened with him is over.

I'm the manager now, and this is what I expect.

I'm not just talking about on the field.

Nothing gets in the way of me coming to the ballpark.

-You know that. -Oh, I know, I know.

And I got nothing against blowing off a little steam...

...but the guys look up to you.

And there's a responsibility that comes with that.

You got to be the one.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen...

...welcome to Yankee Stadium.

We direct your attention now to home plate.

So please welcome the voice of the Yankees, Mel Allen.

Go, go!

Thank you, Bob Sheppard.

Hello there, everybody. Ha-ha-ha!

And now, please give a warm welcome...

...to the commissioner of baseball, Mr. Ford Frick.

-Thank you, Mel, thank you. -This guy died and nobody told him.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the house that Ruth built.

As I stand here this afternoon, it is impossible not to think of The Babe...

...not to feel his presence here even now.

He was more than a ballplayer.

He was everything that is special about this game.

He was everything that is special about America.

I'll bet I got more pussy than he did.

And so it is a great honor for me to present to you...

...The Babe's widow, Mrs. Claire Ruth.

She will present the award for last year's Most Valuable Player.

Mrs. Claire Ruth.

On behalf of The Babe, I'm very proud to present this award...

...to another Yankee, right fielder Roger Maris.

The Babe would've been very proud of you.

Have a wonderful season.

Bottom of the sixth now.

Yankees down four runs. They could use a lift here, phil.

Oh, yeah. The fans would love to see Mick put one out of here right now.

Oh, yeah, now's the time. All right, here's the wind up, pascual delivers.