The Mick Tells a Tall Tale on Billy Martin.

[Tradevman]

I don't know who first came up with this story, but the Mick told it well. He hit 54 homers in 61 when Maris hit 61 and was on track to break Ruth's record as well until he developed a nasty wound in his leg from a shot for the flu, I think it was.  If you haven't seen Billy Kristol's movie 61, you need to rent it or buy it and let it take you back to those days or else let you see those days vicariously if you weren't around in 1961.