MAY 21, 1950

“Is Ruth’s Record in Danger?” Parade targeted Ted Williams and Vern Stephens as potential Ruth killers, but it wasn’t until 11 years later that Roger Maris eclipsed the Bambino’s single-season record of 60 big flies. At century’s end, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire beat them both–with help from “Flintstone vitamins,” according to Sosa. Barry Bonds set the all-time record, with 73 (and a steroid shadow) in 2001.