FARGO, N.D. -- An ornate prize belt that has been awarded to some of America's top professional athletes was stolen early Tuesday from the Roger Maris Museum inside a North Dakota shopping mall.
Police say a burglar smashed a glass display case holding the Hickok Belt, which since 1950 has been awarded to athletes including Muhammed Ali, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Ben Hogan. Maris, who grew up in Fargo, won the belt in 1961 after he hit a then-record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees.
Police said the investigation was ongoing and determined later in the day that Maris' 1960 American League Most Valuable Player plaque also was missing.