61* (2001)

As the sun blazes down on the summer of 1961, the world of U.S. sports is held captive by a spectacular showdown. The legendary record of Babe Ruth, the titan of baseball, stands tall and unbroken with 60 home runs in a single season. However, two dynamic players from the New York Yankees, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, are on the brink of rewriting history. Mantle, the golden boy of baseball, basks in the adoration of fans and the applause of the media, his charismatic charm and hard-partying lifestyle making him a popular choice to shatter Ruth's record. By stark contrast, his teammate, Maris, a reserved and straightforward individual, is often on the receiving end of the sports world's skepticism. He is unfairly cast as the villain in this unfolding drama, his talent persistently undermined by critics. While Maris and Mantle's race to the record is the talk of the nation, the baseball commissioner throws a curveball, declaring that Ruth's record stands unbroken unless surpassed within the first 154 games of the new 162-game schedule. Any record achieved beyond this threshold will be marked with an infamous asterisk, a symbolic undermining of the achievement. As the summer heats up, so does the competition. Maris, despite the weight of negative attention, begins to surge ahead of Mantle, inching closer to Ruth's monolithic record. The film masterfully captures the essence of this momentous season, following the journeys of these two distinct players both on and off the field. It delves into their budding friendship, the emotional strains on Maris, his struggle with the relentless scrutiny, and his unwavering determination to excel, win, and return to the sanctuary of home. 61* is a compelling narrative spun around the boys of summer, their trials, and their triumphs, offering an intimate look into one of the most sensational chapters in sports history.

61* is a drama movie featuring Barry Pepper and directed by Billy Crystal.

61* is currently streaming on DIRECTV and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy 61* on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Microsoft Store and Vudu or rent it on Google Play Movies and YouTube.