Maris' defensive skills are often overlooked due to the 61 dingers in 61.  He was considered one of the top right fielders of his day, won back to back MVPs and contributed solidly to every team he played for. 

3.5. Back to back Mvp's in 60 and 61, including the record breaking '61.A rather shy and reserved guy who didn't want all of the attention on him. A big part of the early to mid Yankees clubs, another fine player poached from their serfs the K.C. A's. Also a contributor to the great Cardinals teams of the late 60's.

In view of the recent steroid scandal and the aura of doubt that surrounds the 60+ home run efforts of Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa, I still scratch my head why Roger Maris is not in the Hall of Fame. The only drug he took when he hit 61, was four packs of Camels a day. Maris has 2 MVPs, a couple of Home Run and RBI crowns, was a superb defensive outfielder, and helped 2 teams make it into 7 world series. That's not a Hall of Fame Career?

I see the anti-Maris bias still exists. Maris was an excellent right-fielder, with a great arm who could hit home runs (look it up) and was a much better outfielder and hitter than many rated above him here. The singular feat of hitting 61 home runs in a season alone should elevate him to the top 10. But the bias is still blinding. If you rated him 1 or 2, you don't know very much about baseball or right fielders.

Roger Maris doesn't even belong on the list. Is this someone's idea of a joke? I'm still laughing.