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Why does everybody think Roger Maris hit 61 homeruns in 154 games?
That was the expansion year so he did it in 162 games, why does it seem like I am the only one who realizes that?
You're about 50 years late to this discussion.
The hubbub was that Maris and the entire American League benefited from having a longer schedule, 162 games as opposed to the 154-game format that had been used since early in the century.
The 1961 Yanks played 163 games (there was a tie along the way). Maris played in 161.
The 1927 Yanks played 155 games (another tie). Ruth played in 151.
MLB recognizes "season" as a unit of play action, with distinction for season length. --Which is good for some people, as otherwise they'd have to be up in arms over the home run rates in 1994, particularly Williams and Griffey.
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Something I don't understand but find worth noting, when the NL went to the 162 game sked in 1962, Wills not only had the longer season to work with, but also had a three-game playoff (LA v. SF) added to his season, as he stole 104 bases to surpass Cobb's long-standing record 96. This, however, caused no lasting kerfuffle. Either Maris the previous year buried such pointless argument, or no one much cared that Cobb got kicked off the top rung of the stolen base ladder.
For reference:
Cobb, 1915 Tigers -- 96 SB, played 156 of 156 games (ties were much more common then; 154 decisions).
Wills, 1962 Dodgers -- 104 SB, played 165 of 165 games (still the record). Stole 95 in first 154 games, 97 in 156 G (so, here, he beat Cobb "cleanly"), 100 in 162 G, and 104 in 165 G.
Fans get much more involved in home runs than anything else.
KENNY ROGERS - HITS AND CHRISTMAS - December 2, 2010 - London, Ontario