Mark McGwire
Big Mac: The Cardinals slugger who set the single-season home run record with 70 in 1998.
Mark McGwire joined the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31, 1997, after being traded from the Oakland Athletics. In his first partial season with the team, he appeared in 51 games, hitting 24 home runs and driving in 42 runs. He signed a two-year contract extension covering 1999–2000 in November 1997, though he was eligible for salary arbitration after 1997 and could have become a free agent after 1998. During the 1998 campaign, McGwire famously joined Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa in a historic chase for Roger Maris's single-season home run record. McGwire surpassed Maris and finished the year with 70 home runs, setting a new major-league mark that stood until Barry Bonds broke it three years later.
- Team
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Position
- First Base
- Season Record
- 70 Home Runs (1998)
- Tenure
- 1997–2001
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The 1998 season defined McGwire's tenure in St. Louis, transforming a routine trade into a national spectacle. After leading the majors with 58 home runs in 1997, his first split season between Oakland and St. Louis, he returned to play 545 games with the Cardinals from 1997 to 2001. His partnership with Sammy Sosa captivated fans as they chased Roger Maris's record of 61 set in 1961. McGwire reached the milestone on September 8, 1998, hitting his 62nd home run off Steve Trachsel. He finished the season with 70 home runs, a number that currently ranks as the former single-season record holder until Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001. This era also saw McGwire lead the league in slugging percentage four times and on-base percentage twice during his career, though injuries limited him to 140 or more games played in only six of his 16 total seasons.
In Their Own Story
On September 8, 1998, the tension at Busch Stadium was palpable as McGwire sought to break Roger Maris's single-season record. He had already surpassed Maris's mark earlier that day or during a previous game in the chase. The moment came when he connected with a pitch from Steve Trachsel of the New York Mets, sending the ball over the fence for his 62nd home run of the season. This blast officially broke the record set by Roger Maris in 1961. McGwire continued his assault on history, eventually finishing with 70 home runs. The chase was not solitary; Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa was a central figure alongside him, creating a dual narrative that drew national attention. Although injuries cut into his playing time in 2000 and 2001, the 1998 summer remains a definitive turning point where McGwire cemented his legacy as one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history.
Reader's Guide
Fans visiting St. Louis during the late 1990s witnessed a unique chapter in baseball history driven by Mark McGwire's power hitting. The source highlights that he joined Sammy Sosa in a chase for the single-season record, finishing with 70 home runs in 1998. This performance broke the previous record of 61 held by Roger Maris since 1961. While McGwire was known for his patience at the plate, posting a career .394 on-base percentage and leading the league in bases on balls twice, the 1998 season is most famous for the sheer volume of home runs. He also holds the major-league career record for at-bats per home run ratio (10.6). However, observers should note that injuries significantly impacted his later years with the Cardinals, particularly in 2000 and 2001, which factored into his decision to retire after the 2001 season.
Did You Know?
- McGwire hit his 62nd home run of the 1998 season off Steve Trachsel to break Roger Maris's single-season record.
- He was traded from Oakland to St. Louis on July 31, 1997, in exchange for T. J. Mathews, Eric Ludwick, and Blake Stein.
- McGwire's career at-bats per home run ratio of 10.61 is still the major-league record and has not been surpassed.
- He retired after the 2001 season due to injuries that cut into his playing time in both 2000 and 2001.
- In 2010, McGwire publicly admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during a large portion of his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark McGwire?
Mark McGwire is a legendary first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, best known as 'Big Mac' for his immense power at the plate.
When did McGwire join the Cardinals and what was his immediate impact?
He arrived in St. Louis via trade from the Oakland Athletics on July 31, 1997, immediately hitting 24 home runs in just 51 games during that partial season.
What historic achievement defined Mark McGwire's time with the Cardinals?
In the 1998 campaign, he engaged in a famous race against Sammy Sosa to break Roger Maris's single-season record, ultimately finishing with a then-unprecedented 70 home runs.
How long did Mark McGwire play for St. Louis?
After signing a long-term contract to stay rather than leave as a free agent, he remained the team's primary slugger from his arrival in 1997 through the 2001 season.
Why is Mark McGwire considered so important to Cardinals history?
His record-breaking 70-home run season revitalized the franchise and remains one of the most iconic moments in Major League Baseball history, standing as a league mark until Barry Bonds eventually surpassed it.
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