[TBP]

In the original 8-team leagues, you played each of 7 opponents 22 times, for 154.

When they expanded to 10, you played 9 opponents 18 times each, or 162. It’s stayed at 162 since, despite ever-increasing layers of playoffs that have occasionally caused the season to extend into November.

There is nothing any more sacrosanct about 162 than about 154.

[Verginius Rufus]

When Maris broke Ruth's record in 1961, there were a lot of people who didn't want it to happen...many were old enough to remember when Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927. I think the issue of 154 games only came up because people didn't want anyone to beat Ruth's record.

Ruth's record has now been broken 7 more times, but the only one which may be legitimate (no performance-enhancing drugs) was Aaron Judge in 2022 with 62.

No player who beat Ruth's 60-home-runs mark is in the Hall of Fame. I suppose Aaron Judge may be after he retires.