 The 1961 season saw the chase of Babe Ruth 's 1927 single season home run record by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle . Both Maris and Mantle would continue to reach the home run record until Mantle got injured late in the season , leaving Maris to reach the record . On the last day of the season , Maris broke the record with his 61st home run of the year off Red Sox pitcher Tracy Stallard at Yankee Stadium . Former Hall of Fame shortstop for the Yankees , Phil Rizzuto , called the shot in what was one of his first games as an announcer . The Yankees won the game 1 – 0 to win their 26th American League pennant and then to win their 19th World Series title . 
