Chris Davis Still Sees Roger Maris as Single Season Home Run King
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Robbie Rogers/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Baltimore Orioles first baseman is putting together an impressive run at the plate so far this season. Chris Davis admits he’s going for the single-season home run record, but is only concerned with passing Roger Maris, not Barry Bonds.
While appearing on ESPN Radio’s “The Mike and Mike in the Morning Show,” Davis explained his reasoning.
“He was the last guy to do it clean,” Davis said. There are a lot of things that have been said about the guys who have come after him and achieved the record, but I think as far as the fans are concerned, they still view Maris as the all-time record holder and I think you have to.”
With 32 home runs in 85 games, Davis is on pace to hit 60 home runs this season. Only five players have ever hit 60 or more home runs: Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Babe Ruth, and Maris. Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa have been affiliated with performance enhancing drugs during their careers, which is why Davis sees Maris as the true home run king. Maris hit 61 home runs in the magical season of 1961 when he was battling Mickey Mantle for the home run crown. In 1998, Sosa and McGwire passed the 61 home run mark and Barry Bonds set the record in 2001 when he hit 73 home runs.
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