Roger Maris is probably one of baseball's most misunderstood heroes. Even now, after nearly 40 years, Maris has yet to reach his rightful place in baseball history, the Baseball Hall of Fame. Roger Maris had a perfect life, starting in Hibbing, Minnesota, to where he grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. His young life was marked by athleticism. He excelled in many sports, not just baseball. Roger was wealthy in football and athletics, among others. His baseball career began with the Cleveland Indians in 1957 and he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in 1958. In 1966 he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Maris retired from baseball after the 1968 season. Roger Maris was born in the small town of Hibbing, Minnesota. He lived there for only a few years until he moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he remained until he was ten years old. Maris began to realize her talent for athletics during those years. His father remembered that Roger always managed to play sports better than all the other boys. More specifically, he recalls that no other boy in the neighborhood could match the distance at which Roger could hit the baseball. He was one of the fastest members of the track team. He was also prominent on the basketball and football teams. He was a local stickball champion, being the only one who could hit the ball nearly 200 yards. Rogers' family then moved to Fargo, North Dakota. His athletic abilities were never made the most of by the school, so he changed high schools to Shanley High School where he was more appreciated. His talents in football, track and field and basketball were used to their maximum potential and Roger gained local fame. Like many other baseball stars, Roger Maris began his career in American Legion baseball. He played the outfield and also pitched. There he was named Most Valuable Player on North Dakota's championship team in 1950. After graduation Roger had to choose between football and baseball. It was a tough choice for him and he could have gone far in both sports. Good thing baseball chose him. He briefly considered college, but turned down the University of Oklahoma and numerous other colleges that made offers to him. A scouting report written by Frank Fahey in 1950 resurfaced in 1961 and as a result the Cleveland Indians invited him to a tryout camp..