61*
Director: Billy Crystal
Genre: Sports, History, Period piece, Television movie, Drama
Year: 2001
Country: United States of America
Language: English Language
Starring: Thomas Jane, Barry Pepper, Bob Gunton, Joe Grifasi, Michael Nouri, Christopher McDonald, Donald Moffat, Anthony Michael Hall, Chris Bauer, Bruce McGill, Seymour Cassel
61* is a 2001 American sports drama film directed by Billy Crystal. It stars Barry Pepper as Roger Maris and Thomas Jane as Mickey Mantle on their quest to break Babe Ruth's 1927 single-season home run record of 60 during the 1961 season of the New York Yankees. The film first aired on HBO on April 28, 2001.
In 1998, the family of the late Roger Maris are preparing to go to Busch Stadium to watch Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals break their father's record with 62 home runs. Before the game, Maris' widow, Pat, is hospitalized due to complications from arrhythmia and watches the game on television from a hospital bed.
Decades earlier in 1961, Maris is presented with the Most Valuable Player award for the 1960 baseball season. Mantle is the team's superstar. As the season begins, Mantle starts off hot, Maris not. Roger thinks he might be traded, but new manager Ralph Houk decides to have Mantle and Maris switch places in the Yankees batting order to see if it helps. It does and Maris begins to hit home runs at a record pace. Mickey keeps pace and it becomes clear that both "M & M Boys" are going to make a run at the Babe's record.
Mickey's life off the field is taking a toll
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