BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
<> <> <> <> <> <> <> — 1968 • TOPPS — <> <> <> <> <> <>
Between 1960-64, Roger Maris appeared in five World Series with the Yankees – but his greatest post-season performance, by far, was with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967.
Since the outfielder’s peak years of 1960-62, his career began a slow descent. So much so that he was traded by New York to St. Louis straight up for journeyman third baseman Charley Smith in Dec. 1966.
After two MVP Awards and setting the all-time record for homers in a season with the Yankees, it was weird to see Roger Maris donning a Cardinals uniform in the 1968 Topps set. (Although the trade was made between the 1966-67 seasons, Maris’ 1967 Topps card still showed him in a Yankees uniform – with the team name and cap logo hidden.)
<> <> <> <> <> <> — • 1967 • TOPPS • — <> <> <> <> <> <>
In any case, even though his once enormous power had virtually evaporated, Maris still patrolled right field in 125 games for the Redbirds in 1967. St. Louis ran away with the N.L. pennant that year and most agreed Maris’ clubhouse presence as a veteran had a positive impact on the team.
But where he really shined was in the ’67 Fall Classic.
Maris had already played in 28 World Series games for the Bronx Bombers. Yet, his offensive performance was subpar: Just five homers and 10 RBIs, with a .187 average and .299 on-base percentage (OBP).
<> <> <> <> <> <> — • 1968 • TOPPS • — <> <> <> <> <> <>
Along with fellow Cardinals’ outfielder Lou Brock, Maris really stepped it up for the seven-game World Series. He not only hit .385 (10-for-26) and had a .433 OBP, but also belted a home run and led St. Louis with seven RBIs. (He was second to Brock in hits, runs, average and OBP.) The Cardinals bested the Red Sox and pitcher Bob Gibson was named MVP (three complete game wins and an insanely low 1.00 ERA).
Maris played one more year with St. Louis and then called it quits. The team repeated as pennant winners in 1968, but fell to the Tigers in another seven-game Fall Classic. Unfortunately, this time Maris didn’t fare well in the Series, returning to similar stats as when he was with the Yanks. Yet, after retiring, he expressed how much he enjoyed playing his final two seasons with the Cardinals – after seven tumultuous years in New York – with the ’67 Series being one of the highlights of his career.
<> <> <> <> <> <> — • 2004 • FLEER • — <> <> <> <> <> <>
“GREATS OF THE GAME”
• • • • • •
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN
EXCLUSIVELY FOR BaseballCardFun.com
• • •
Text Copyright © 2026 by BaseballCardFun.com / Mark A. Larson
No article appearing on this website may be reproduced without written consent of the Editor/Publisher
BaseballCardFun.com 