a big deal was made in 1961 when roger maris hit 61 hrs and broke babe ruth's hr record of 60 because the season was expanded from 154 games in ruth's time to the then and current 162 games. did you know that when babe originally broke the hr record back in 1919 when he hit 29, the guy's who record he broke was 27 accomplished in a 112 games season at the time.ned williamson 27 hrs in 112 game season back in 1884.