MLB Fans Remember A Legendary Mark McGwire Moment
The record for most home runs in a single season is currently 73, established by slugger Barry Bonds in 2001.
He was then with the San Francisco Giants.
Before him, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire went on a homer binge together with Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, in 1998.
Both broke Roger Maris‘ 37-year-old mark of 61 round-trippers that year, but McGwire was recognized as the Home Run King by virtue of finishing the season with 70.
Sosa hit 66.
That was long before the use of performance-enhancing drugs became controversial in MLB, so much that no one from that trio is currently in the Hall of Fame despite having the stats to enter.
That record chase in 1998, however, helped MLB gain a privileged place among viewers all around the country.
Everybody was stuck in front of the TV, eager to watch a new McGwire or Sosa homer.
A Magical Moment
Number 62 came on a September 8, but 24 years ago.
“On this date in 1998, Mark McGwire hit home run No. 62 to become single-season Home Run King,” Fox Sports MLB tweeted.
On this date in 1998, Mark McGwire hit home run No.62 to become single-season Home Run King 👑pic.twitter.com/p8ewSZpnpe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 8, 2022
You can’t deny it was a magical moment: he was so respected that even Cubs infielders congratulated him as he rounded the bases.
The homer, a laser that barely made it out to left field, came off Steve Trachsel.
That day, McGwire was cheered by a full stadium, hugged Sosa, and lifted his young son in the air in joy.
Regardless of people’s opinion on the use of steroids, baseball was at the peak of national interest around those days, and it was largely because of McGwire and Sosa.
History was made that day.
Bonds would only need three years to beat the record, but that September 8, 1998 will be remembered as McGwire’s day.
