With Roger Maris batting third and Mickey Mantle batting fourth in the 1961 Yankees lineup the pair leapfrogged each other for the home run lead into August. Babe Ruth's single-season mark of 60 home runs, achieved in 1927, seemed within reach as Maris ultimately passed Mantle for the final time by middle of the month. Mantle would conclude the season with 54 round-trippers to Maris' 61, famously breaking Babe Ruth's storied record. The presented original Type 1 photo was captured by a UPI photographer at Yankee Stadium on August 2, 1961 following Mickey Mantle's 40th tally of the season. It was also Mantle's 360th home run of his career, tying him with Eddie Mathews for 10th on the all-time list. Photo remains in superlative overall condition with bright white borders and a fabulous image of Mantle confidently rounding the bases, head down, as was his custom. A full paper caption is affixed at the bottom of verso, chronicling the day's events, with United Press International credit stamping appearing in black at the center. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.