Visiting the Roger Maris Museum, Fargo ND

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In 1961, New York Yankees outfielder Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s sacred 1927 single season home run record when hitting his 61st in the final game of the season. Maris enjoyed an above average though not Hall of Fame career earning two MVP awards and playing in eight World Series winning three rings. A museum inside a Fargo, North Dakota shopping mall? When approached about having a museum, Maris insisted it be in his adopted hometown Fargo, be admission free and seen by maximum people. Being placed inside West Acres Shopping Center accomplished all that. It sounds tacky but it actually works. The museum is down a side aisle. In the middle area where benches are is a replica of Maris’ Yankee Stadium monument. A small theater plays videos concerning Maris and visitors sits on actual Yankee Stadium seats which is a nice touch. There is a replica of his Yankee locker containing originally worn by Maris uniform, cap and jacket plus other items. A series of floor to ceiling display cases chronicle his career from high school to major league. Most of the memorabilia came from Maris and his family. Maris started as a member of the Cleveland Indians and finished as a St. Louis Cardinal and his uniforms from those clubs hang. Rows of vintage magazines that Maris graced the cover of. Numerous awards and trophies including his MVP (the other was stolen) and Gold Glove. A collection of home run balls from his historic year including #60 (#61 is in Cooperstown). Tons of signed bats, balls, gloves and other memorabilia. Countless photos. The Roger Maris Museum presents an excellent collection that baseball fans will enjoy. Maris died of cancer at age 51 in 1985 so he did not live to see his record broken by Mark McGwire. He is buried in Fargo.