Factual error: The third member of the Yankees with a prominent role in the film is Bob Cerv (roommate of Mickey & Roger). In the film, he is with the team from Opening Day. However, Cerv was actually acquired by the Yankees in May of that year.
Continuity mistake: In game 154 in Baltimore where Maris needs 2 home runs to tie Babe Ruth's record, he comes to bat in the 2nd inning. The scoreboard shows that the Yankees have scored 1 run in the inning. Later in the game when Wilhelm comes in to pitch, the scoreboard shows that no runs were scored by the Yankees in the 2nd inning.
Continuity mistake: Near the end of the season there is a scene where Roger is talking on the phone to his wife, who's at home. Her phone, however, has the clip-in detachable phone cord going into the handset - something that wasn't yet invented or common in the household.
Factual error: In the lounge scene after Mickey leaves the table, Whitey says that Mickey was 18 years old when he came up to the Yankees in 1951. Mickey was born in October of 1931, and that would have made him 19-years-old in the spring of 1951.
Continuity mistake: When they are showing clips of Roger Maris in the field, a ball is hit to RF. Roger makes a play on the ball and makes a "great throw" to second. The next shot shows the SS take the throw from "RF" and tag out the runner. The direction of the throw and runner shows the throw came from the catcher, not the outfield.
Continuity mistake: In the lounge scene Mickey Mantle is drinking what looks like a gin and tonic, but after Bob Cerv tells everyone Joe DiMaggio is throwing the first ball tommorow, Mickey leaves the table to 'get a real drink' - he now has a beer in his hand.
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle are being interviewed right after Frick rules about the separate records, Maris throws the ball, then turns to talk to one of the interviewers, and when he is done talking he throws the ball again. The ball was never thrown back to him in between.
Factual error: There is a scene where a fan throws a set at Maris. This did not happen in 1961, but during the 1962 season. It was during the 1962 season that Yankee fans turned on Maris.
Answer: Actually Maris was MVP the previous year, 1960.