SI Vault Podcast: Rick Telander on Roger Maris, MLB's home run record

In this week's episode, host Ted Keith talks with senior writer Rick Telander about his story, "The Record Almost Broke Him," from the June 20, 1977 issue of Sports Illustrated. Telander and Keith discuss how the run-up to breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing homerun record, and the media storm that followed, impacted Roger Maris's life.

The SI Vault Podcast takes you through sports history with a dive into the archives of Sports Illustrated. Host Ted Keith speaks with legendary athletes as well as the writers who produced some of the most memorable pieces in the magazine’s 61-year history, and every week will include a reading of a classic SI story.

In this week's episode, host Ted Keith talks with former senior writer Rick Telander about his story, "The Record Almost Broke Him," from the June 20, 1977 issue of Sports Illustrated. Telander and Keith discuss how the run-up to breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing homerun record, and the media storm that followed, impacted Roger Maris's life. It was well known that Maris shied away from the spotlight, even in the years after he walked away from baseball with one of the most important records in sports. Today is the 54th anniversary of the Maris's feat.

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