1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase - wikipedia 1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase The 1998 Major League Baseball home run chase in Major League Baseball was the race between first baseman Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and right fielder Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs that resulted in both players breaking Roger Maris 's long - standing and highly coveted record of 61 home runs. McGwire broke Maris 's record on September 8 against the Cubs and finished with 70 home runs. Sosa finished with 66. Several players had come close to breaking Maris 's record in the years before 1998. Before the 1994 season was cut short by a labor dispute, Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants and Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners were both on a pace which threatened Maris 's record : they hit 43 and 40 home runs respectively in a season which was shortened by approximately 50 of the scheduled 162 games. In 1995, Albert Belle became the first player since Cecil Fielder in 1990 to hit 50 home runs in a season. Belle was only the 4th player in the previous three decades to reach the 50 home run - milestone ( George Foster hit 52 in 1977, following Willie Mays in 1965 ). In 1996, Brady Anderson of the Baltimore Orioles hit 50 home runs, twice the number he hit during any other season. Of more note was Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics, who first drew attention by hitting a league - leading 52 home runs that season while only playing in 130 games. The 1997 home run chase featured McGwire against Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners. It was during that season that full - fledged interest over the record kicked in as both players were on record pace well into the summer. McGwire finished with 58 home runs following his mid-season trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, besting Griffey 's total of 56. Contents 1 Breaking the record 2 Aftermath 2.1 Steroid controversy 3 Home run log 4 References Breaking the record Speculation on the potential of McGwire or Griffey breaking the Roger Maris ' home run record was a popular story heading into spring training, and was even promoted by MLB itself, in an effort to draw fans back to the game who felt disenfranchised by the 1994 strike and cancellation of the World Series. With the spotlight still on Griffey and McGwire ( entering his first full season as a Cardinal ), the latter opened the 1998 season by hitting home runs in each of his first four games. McGwire would ultimately find himself ahead of record pace for all but two games of the season ; his pace hit a low of 58.9 on May 7 following a five - game drought. After hitting 16 home runs in May ( only two short of Rudy York 's ill - fated record of 18 home runs in August 1937 ), McGwire led the league with 27 home runs, ahead of Griffey 's 19 and on pace for more than 80. June, however, would be Sosa 's month to catch up. His 13 home runs entering the month represented less than half of rival McGwire 's total. Sosa had his first of four multi-home run games that month on June 1, and went on to break Rudy York 's record with 20 home runs in the month of June, a record that still stands. By the end of his historic month, the outfielder 's 33 home runs tied him with Griffey and left him only four behind McGwire 's 37. The three remained competitive entering August, a period which saw McGwire go on a season - high eight - game home run drought. After hitting a home run on August 8, McGwire 's lead had dwindled to two, his 46 home runs just above Sosa 's 44 and Griffey 's 41. His relative lull in production continued, hitting only three home runs over the next ten days. His pace at the end of August 18, 61.9 would be his lowest for the rest of the season. On August 19, he returned to form, hitting two home runs and beginning the stretch that would see him hit 23 home runs in his final 39 games. Sosa, meanwhile, had followed up his 20 home runs in June with a combined total of only 22 for July and August. At the end of the month, however, the two sluggers were locked at 55 home runs, putting them on pace for about 65 in total and, for the first time in 37 years, leaving the single - season home run record in imminent jeopardy. They were also each one short of Hack Wilson 's National league record. By this point, Griffey 's total of 47 home runs left him well behind the pace of his two rivals, indicating that even in the event he could pass Maris 's total, it would be unlikely that he would also be able to beat McGwire and Sosa. McGwire began September with four home runs in his first two games against the Florida Marlins and took back the lead, 59 -- 56. His September 5 home run set the stage for one of baseball 's classic moments, as he sat on 60 home runs entering a two - game set against Sosa 's Chicago Cubs. On September 7, McGwire hit a Mike Morgan pitch 430 feet to become the first player since 1961 to hit 61 home runs in a season. The next day, September 8, 1998, in a game against Sosa 's Cubs and with members of the Maris family in attendance, he hit Steve Trachsel 's pitch 341 feet - his shortest home run of the season - just over the left field wall, breaking the record for the most home runs ever hit in a single season. The ball did not even make it to the stands, and the crew member who found it later gave the ball to McGwire. In what was a show of both admiration as well as respect, Mark Grace, the Cubs first baseman shared a half - hug high five as McGwire rounded first, and after he touched home, Sosa charged in from right field and engaged McGwire in a celebratory embrace. Afterwards, however, McGwire went six consecutive games without a home run, allowing Sosa to tie him again at 62 after hitting four home runs in three games against the Milwaukee Brewers. The two battled back and forth for the lead, and entering the final series of the season on September 25, were tied at 65 home runs. Sosa hit a 462 - foot home run off Houston Astros pitcher José Lima for his 66th home run of the season. McGwire, however, while the Cardinals hosted the Montreal Expos, hit five home runs against five different pitchers, setting the record at 70 with a 370 - foot home run off Carl Pavano. Throughout the season, Sosa gave a `` V '' sign after every home run, dedicating it to the memory of Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, who died that February. Aftermath The Cardinals, despite McGwire 's efforts, finished the season 83 -- 79, 3rd place in the Central and behind division rival Chicago. Chicago finished 90 -- 73, earning them 2nd in the Central and a wild card berth. Sosa finished with a. 308 batting average, 66 home runs, and 158 RBI, besting McGwire, who finished with a. 299 batting average, 70 home runs, and 147 RBI for the NL MVP award. The Cubs, however, were swept in the first round of the 1998 playoffs by the Atlanta Braves. In 2001, only three years after McGwire and Sosa finally toppled Maris 's record, the mark fell again, this time to San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds. Bonds broke the record on October 5 against Chan Ho Park of the Los Angeles Dodgers and, two days later, hit his 73rd home run of the season off the Dodgers pitcher Dennis Springer. The ' 97 and ' 98 home run record chases are widely credited by sports analysts as having restored Major League Baseball among its fan base in the preceding years, as many had lost interest and felt betrayed by the strike in 1994, although others contest this. The embrace, along with the constant praising of one another between McGwire and Sosa was spoofed in the fall of 1998 on Saturday Night Live by Will Ferrell ( as McGwire ) and Tracy Morgan ( as Sosa ) who try to one - up praising each other endlessly and then begin to slow - dance. Steroid controversy Bonds ' record still stands, though the controversy over possible use of performance - enhancing drugs by McGwire and Sosa gained momentum when Bonds hit his 73 home runs despite having never hit as many as 50 in any other season. In the Congressional Hearing on Steroids, McGwire repeatedly stressed that any answer he gave regarding his alleged steroid use would not be believed by the public at - large anyway. Sosa seemed to not understand the questions. Bonds has also been linked to steroids. He admitted to taking them, but he claims that he did not know what he was taking was steroids. Bonds and Sosa have been linked to illegal use of steroids in the Mitchell Report and other sources. McGwire has never been named by any official investigation ; however, on January 11, 2010, McGwire admitted to Bob Costas of the MLB Network that he did take steroids throughout his career, including during the 1998 season where he broke the record. Home run log The following table outlines home runs that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa hit during 1998 season. Date Batter Distance ( ft ) Hit Against ( Pitcher ) Hit Against ( Team ) McGwire Total Sosa Total 000000002017 - 03 - 31 - 0000 March 31 McGwire 364 Martínez, Ramón Ramón Martínez Los Angeles Dodgers 0 000000002017 - 04 - 02 - 0000 April 2 McGwire 368 Lankford, Frank Frank Lankford Los Angeles Dodgers 0 000000002017 - 04 - 03 - 0000 April 3 McGwire 364 Langston, Mark Mark Langston San Diego Padres 0 000000002017 - 04 - 04 - 0000 April 4 McGwire 419 Wengert, Don Don Wengert San Diego Padres 0 000000002017 - 04 - 04 - 0000 April 4 Sosa 371 Valdes, Marc Marc Valdes Montreal Expos 000000002017 - 04 - 11 - 0000 April 11 Sosa 350 Telford, Anthony Anthony Telford Montreal Expos 000000002017 - 04 - 14 - 0000 April 14 McGwire 424 Suppan, Jeff Jeff Suppan Arizona Diamondbacks 5 000000002017 - 04 - 14 - 0000 April 14 McGwire 347 Suppan, Jeff Jeff Suppan Arizona Diamondbacks 6 000000002017 - 04 - 14 - 0000 April 14 McGwire 462 Manuel, Barry Barry Manuel Arizona Diamondbacks 7 000000002017 - 04 - 15 - 0000 April 15 Sosa 430 Cook, Dennis Dennis Cook New York Mets 7 000000002017 - 04 - 17 - 0000 April 17 McGwire 419 Whiteside, Matt Matt Whiteside Philadelphia Phillies 8 000000002017 - 04 - 21 - 0000 April 21 McGwire 437 Moore, Trey Trey Moore Montreal Expos 9 000000002017 - 04 - 23 - 0000 April 23 Sosa 420 Miceli, Dan Dan Miceli San Diego Padres 9 000000002017 - 04 - 24 - 0000 April 24 Sosa 430 Valdez, Ismael Ismael Valdez Los Angeles Dodgers 9 5 000000002017 - 04 - 25 - 0000 April 25 McGwire 419 Spradlin, Jerry Jerry Spradlin Philadelphia Phillies 10 5 000000002017 - 04 - 27 - 0000 April 27 Sosa 434 Hamilton, Joey Joey Hamilton San Diego Padres 10 6 000000002017 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30 McGwire 371 Pisciotta, Marc Marc Pisciotta Chicago Cubs 11 6 000000002017 - 05 - 01 - 0000 May 1 McGwire 362 Beck, Rod Rod Beck Chicago Cubs 12 6 000000002017 - 05 - 03 - 0000 May 3 Sosa 370 Politte, Cliff Cliff Politte St. Louis Cardinals 12 7 000000002017 - 05 - 08 - 0000 May 8 McGwire 358 Reed, Rick Rick Reed New York Mets 13 7 000000002017 - 05 - 12 - 0000 May 12 McGwire 527 Wagner, Paul Paul Wagner Milwaukee Brewers 14 7 000000002017 - 05 - 14 - 0000 May 14 McGwire 381 Millwood, Kevin Kevin Millwood Atlanta Braves 15 7 000000002017 - 05 - 16 - 0000 May 16 McGwire 545 Hernández, Liván Liván Hernández Florida Marlins 16 7 000000002017 - 05 - 16 - 0000 May 16 Sosa 441 Sullivan, Scott Scott Sullivan Cincinnati Reds 16 8 000000002017 - 05 - 18 - 0000 May 18 McGwire 478 Sanchez, Jesus Jesus Sanchez Florida Marlins 17 8 000000002017 - 05 - 19 - 0000 May 19 McGwire 440 Green, Tyler Tyler Green Philadelphia Phillies 18 8 000000002017 - 05 - 19 - 0000 May 19 McGwire 471 Green, Tyler Tyler Green Philadelphia Phillies 19 8 000000002017 - 05 - 19 - 0000 May 19 McGwire 451 Gomes, Wayne Wayne Gomes Philadelphia Phillies 20 8 000000002017 - 05 - 22 - 0000 May 22 McGwire 425 Gardner, Mark Mark Gardner San Francisco Giants 21 8 000000002017 - 05 - 22 - 0000 May 22 Sosa 440 Maddux, Greg Greg Maddux Atlanta Braves 21 9 000000002017 - 05 - 23 - 0000 May 23 McGwire 366 Rodriguez, Rich Rich Rodriguez San Francisco Giants 22 9 000000002017 - 05 - 23 - 0000 May 23 McGwire 477 Johnstone, John John Johnstone San Francisco Giants 23 9 000000002017 - 05 - 24 - 0000 May 24 McGwire 397 Nen, Robb Robb Nen San Francisco Giants 24 9 000000002017 - 05 - 25 - 0000 May 25 McGwire 433 Thomson, John John Thomson Colorado Rockies 25 9 000000002017 - 05 - 25 - 0000 May 25 Sosa 410 Millwood, Kevin Kevin Millwood Atlanta Braves 25 10 000000002017 - 05 - 25 - 0000 May 25 Sosa 420 Cather, Mike Mike Cather Atlanta Braves 25 11 000000002017 - 05 - 27 - 0000 May 27 Sosa 460 Winston, Darrin Darrin Winston Philadelphia Phillies 25 12 000000002017 - 05 - 27 - 0000 May 27 Sosa 400 Gomes, Wayne Wayne Gomes Philadelphia Phillies 25 13 000000002017 - 05 - 29 - 0000 May 29 McGwire 388 Miceli, Dan Dan Miceli San Diego Padres 26 13 000000002017 - 05 - 30 - 0000 May 30 McGwire 423 Ashby, Andy Andy Ashby San Diego Padres 27 13 000000002017 - 06 - 01 - 0000 June 1 Sosa 430 Dempster, Ryan Ryan Dempster Florida Marlins 27 14 000000002017 - 06 - 01 - 0000 June 1 Sosa 410 Henriquez, Oscar Oscar Henriquez Florida Marlins 27 15 000000002017 - 06 - 03 - 0000 June 3 Sosa 370 Hernández, Liván Liván Hernández Florida Marlins 27 16 000000002017 - 06 - 05 - 0000 June 5 McGwire 409 Hershiser, Orel Orel Hershiser San Francisco Giants 28 16 000000002017 - 06 - 05 - 0000 June 5 Sosa 370 Parque, Jim Jim Parque Chicago White Sox 28 17 000000002017 - 06 - 06 - 0000 June 6 Sosa 410 Castillo, Carlos Carlos Castillo Chicago White Sox 28 18 000000002017 - 06 - 07 - 0000 June 7 Sosa 380 Baldwin, James James Baldwin Chicago White Sox 28 19 000000002017 - 06 - 08 - 0000 June 8 McGwire 356 Bere, Jason Jason Bere Chicago White Sox 29 19 000000002017 - 06 - 08 - 0000 June 8 Sosa 340 Hawkins, LaTroy LaTroy Hawkins Minnesota Twins 29 20 000000002017 - 06 - 10 - 0000 June 10 McGwire 409 Parque, Jim Jim Parque Chicago White Sox 30 20 000000002017 - 06 - 12 - 0000 June 12 McGwire 438 Benes, Andy Andy Benes Arizona Diamondbacks 31 20 000000002017 - 06 - 13 - 0000 June 13 Sosa 410 Portugal, Mark Mark Portugal Philadelphia Phillies 31 21 000000002017 - 06 - 15 - 0000 June 15 Sosa 420 Eldred, Cal Cal Eldred Milwaukee Brewers 31 22 000000002017 - 06 - 15 - 0000 June 15 Sosa 410 Eldred, Cal Cal Eldred Milwaukee Brewers 31 23 000000002017 - 06 - 15 - 0000 June 15 Sosa 415 Eldred, Cal Cal Eldred Milwaukee Brewers 31 24 000000002017 - 06 - 17 - 0000 June 17 McGwire 437 Lima, José José Lima Houston Astros 32 24 000000002017 - 06 - 17 - 0000 June 17 Sosa 430 Patrick, Bronswell Bronswell Patrick Milwaukee Brewers 32 25 000000002017 - 06 - 18 - 0000 June 18 McGwire 449 Reynolds, Shane Shane Reynolds Houston Astros 33 25 000000002017 - 06 - 19 - 0000 June 19 Sosa 380 Loewer, Carlton Carlton Loewer Philadelphia Phillies 33 26 000000002017 - 06 - 19 - 0000 June 19 Sosa 380 Loewer, Carlton Carlton Loewer Philadelphia Phillies 33 27 000000002017 - 06 - 20 - 0000 June 20 Sosa 366 Beech, Matt Matt Beech Philadelphia Phillies 33 28 000000002017 - 06 - 20 - 0000 June 20 Sosa 500 Borland, Toby Toby Borland Philadelphia Phillies 33 29 000000002017 - 06 - 21 - 0000 June 21 Sosa 380 Green, Tyler Tyler Green Philadelphia Phillies 33 30 000000002017 - 06 - 24 - 0000 June 24 McGwire 433 Wright, Jaret Jaret Wright Cleveland Indians 34 30 000000002017 - 06 - 24 - 0000 June 24 Sosa 390 Greisinger, Seth Seth Greisinger Detroit Tigers 34 31 000000002017 - 06 - 25 - 0000 June 25 McGwire 461 Burba, Dave Dave Burba Cleveland Indians 35 31 000000002017 - 06 - 25 - 0000 June 25 Sosa 400 Moehler, Brian Brian Moehler Detroit Tigers 35 32 000000002017 - 06 - 27 - 0000 June 27 McGwire 431 Trombley, Mike Mike Trombley Minnesota Twins 36 32 000000002017 - 06 - 30 - 0000 June 30 McGwire 472 Rusch, Glendon Glendon Rusch Kansas City Royals 37 32 000000002017 - 06 - 30 - 0000 June 30 Sosa 364 Embree, Alan Alan Embree Arizona Diamondbacks 37 33 000000002017 - 07 - 09 - 0000 July 9 Sosa 432 Juden, Jeff Jeff Juden Milwaukee Brewers 37 34 000000002017 - 07 - 10 - 0000 July 10 Sosa 428 Karl, Scott Scott Karl Milwaukee Brewers 37 35 000000002017 - 07 - 11 - 0000 July 11 McGwire 485 Wagner, Billy Billy Wagner Houston Astros 38 35 000000002017 - 07 - 12 - 0000 July 12 McGwire 405 Bergman, Sean Sean Bergman Houston Astros 39 35 000000002017 - 07 - 12 - 0000 July 12 McGwire 415 Elarton, Scott Scott Elarton Houston Astros 40 35 000000002017 - 07 - 17 - 0000 July 17 McGwire 511 Bohanon, Brian Brian Bohanon Los Angeles Dodgers 41 35 000000002017 - 07 - 17 - 0000 July 17 McGwire 425 Osuna, Antonio Antonio Osuna Los Angeles Dodgers 42 35 000000002017 - 07 - 17 - 0000 July 17 Sosa 440 Ojala, Kirt Kirt Ojala Florida Marlins 42 36 000000002017 - 07 - 20 - 0000 July 20 McGwire 452 Boehringer, Brian Brian Boehringer San Diego Padres 43 36 000000002017 - 07 - 22 - 0000 July 22 Sosa 365 Batista, Miguel Miguel Batista Montreal Expos 43 37 000000002017 - 07 - 26 - 0000 July 26 McGwire 452 Thomson, John John Thomson Colorado Rockies 44 37 000000002017 - 07 - 26 - 0000 July 26 Sosa 420 Reed, Rick Rick Reed New York Mets 44 38 000000002017 - 07 - 27 - 0000 July 27 Sosa 347 Blair, Willie Willie Blair Arizona Diamondbacks 44 39 000000002017 - 07 - 27 - 0000 July 27 Sosa 438 Embree, Alan Alan Embree Arizona Diamondbacks 44 40 000000002017 - 07 - 28 - 0000 July 28 McGwire 408 Myers, Mike Mike Myers Milwaukee Brewers 45 40 000000002017 - 07 - 28 - 0000 July 28 Sosa 390 Wolcott, Bob Bob Wolcott Arizona Diamondbacks 45 41 000000002017 - 07 - 31 - 0000 July 31 Sosa 375 Wright, Jamey Jamey Wright Colorado Rockies 45 42 000000002017 - 08 - 05 - 0000 August 5 Sosa 374 Benes, Andy Andy Benes Arizona Diamondbacks 45 43 000000002017 - 08 - 08 - 0000 August 8 McGwire 374 Clark, Mark Mark Clark Chicago Cubs 46 43 000000002017 - 08 - 08 - 0000 August 8 Sosa 400 Croushore, Rich Rich Croushore St. Louis Cardinals 46 44 000000002017 - 08 - 10 - 0000 August 10 Sosa 361 Ortiz, Russ Russ Ortiz San Francisco Giants 46 45 000000002017 - 08 - 10 - 0000 August 10 Sosa 480 Brock, Chris Chris Brock San Francisco Giants 46 46 000000002017 - 08 - 11 - 0000 August 11 McGwire 464 Jones, Bobby Bobby Jones New York Mets 47 46 000000002017 - 08 - 16 - 0000 August 16 Sosa 360 Bergman, Sean Sean Bergman Houston Astros 47 47 000000002017 - 08 - 19 - 0000 August 19 Sosa 368 Bottenfield, Kent Kent Bottenfield St. Louis Cardinals 47 48 000000002017 - 08 - 19 - 0000 August 19 McGwire 398 Karchner, Matt Matt Karchner Chicago Cubs 48 48 000000002017 - 08 - 19 - 0000 August 19 McGwire 409 Mulholland, Terry Terry Mulholland Chicago Cubs 49 48 000000002017 - 08 - 20 - 0000 August 20 McGwire 369 Blair, Willie Willie Blair New York Mets 50 48 000000002017 - 08 - 20 - 0000 August 20 McGwire 393 Reed, Rick Rick Reed New York Mets 51 48 000000002017 - 08 - 21 - 0000 August 21 Sosa 430 Hershiser, Orel Orel Hershiser San Francisco Giants 51 49 000000002017 - 08 - 22 - 0000 August 22 McGwire 477 Córdova, Francisco Francisco Córdova Pittsburgh Pirates 52 49 000000002017 - 08 - 23 - 0000 August 23 McGwire 393 Rincón, Ricardo Ricardo Rincón Pittsburgh Pirates 53 49 000000002017 - 08 - 23 - 0000 August 23 Sosa 440 Lima, José José Lima Houston Astros 53 50 000000002017 - 08 - 23 - 0000 August 23 Sosa 380 Lima, José José Lima Houston Astros 53 51 000000002017 - 08 - 26 - 0000 August 26 McGwire 509 Speier, Justin Justin Speier Florida Marlins 54 51 000000002017 - 08 - 26 - 0000 August 26 Sosa 438 Tomko, Brett Brett Tomko Cincinnati Reds 54 52 000000002017 - 08 - 28 - 0000 August 28 Sosa 414 Thomson, John John Thomson Colorado Rockies 54 53 000000002017 - 08 - 30 - 0000 August 30 McGwire 501 Martínez, Dennis Dennis Martínez Atlanta Braves 55 53 000000002017 - 08 - 30 - 0000 August 30 Sosa 482 Kile, Darryl Darryl Kile Colorado Rockies 55 54 000000002017 - 08 - 31 - 0000 August 31 Sosa 364 Tomko, Brett Brett Tomko Cincinnati Reds 55 55 000000002017 - 09 - 01 - 0000 September 1 McGwire 450 Hernández, Liván Liván Hernández Florida Marlins 56 55 000000002017 - 09 - 01 - 0000 September 1 McGwire 472 Pall, Donn Donn Pall Florida Marlins 57 55 000000002017 - 09 - 02 - 0000 September 2 McGwire 497 Edmondson, Brian Brian Edmondson Florida Marlins 58 55 000000002017 - 09 - 02 - 0000 September 2 McGwire 458 Stanifer, Rob Rob Stanifer Florida Marlins 59 55 000000002017 - 09 - 02 - 0000 September 2 Sosa 363 Bere, Jason Jason Bere Cincinnati Reds 59 56 000000002017 - 09 - 04 - 0000 September 4 Sosa 374 Schmidt, Jason Jason Schmidt Pittsburgh Pirates 59 57 000000002017 - 09 - 05 - 0000 September 5 McGwire 381 Reyes, Dennys Dennys Reyes Cincinnati Reds 60 57 000000002017 - 09 - 05 - 0000 September 5 Sosa 417 Lawrence, Sean Sean Lawrence Pittsburgh Pirates 60 58 000000002017 - 09 - 07 - 0000 September 7 McGwire 430 Morgan, Mike Mike Morgan Chicago Cubs 61 58 000000002017 - 09 - 08 - 0000 September 8 McGwire 341 Trachsel, Steve Steve Trachsel Chicago Cubs 62 58 000000002017 - 09 - 11 - 0000 September 11 Sosa 464 Pulsipher, Bill Bill Pulsipher Milwaukee Brewers 62 59 000000002017 - 09 - 12 - 0000 September 12 Sosa 430 de los Santos, Valerio Valerio de los Santos Milwaukee Brewers 62 60 000000002017 - 09 - 13 - 0000 September 13 Sosa 480 Patrick, Bronswell Bronswell Patrick Milwaukee Brewers 62 61 000000002017 - 09 - 13 - 0000 September 13 Sosa 480 Plunk, Eric Eric Plunk Milwaukee Brewers 62 62 000000002017 - 09 - 15 - 0000 September 15 McGwire 385 Christiansen, Jason Jason Christiansen Pittsburgh Pirates 63 62 000000002017 - 09 - 16 - 0000 September 16 Sosa 434 Boehringer, Brian Brian Boehringer San Diego Padres 63 63 000000002017 - 09 - 18 - 0000 September 18 McGwire 423 Roque, Rafael Rafael Roque Milwaukee Brewers 64 63 000000002017 - 09 - 20 - 0000 September 20 McGwire 423 Karl, Scott Scott Karl Milwaukee Brewers 65 63 000000002017 - 09 - 23 - 0000 September 23 Sosa 344 Roque, Rafael Rafael Roque Milwaukee Brewers 65 64 000000002017 - 09 - 23 - 0000 September 23 Sosa 410 Henderson, Rod Rod Henderson Milwaukee Brewers 65 65 000000002017 - 09 - 25 - 0000 September 25 Sosa 462 Lima, José José Lima Houston Astros 65 66 000000002017 - 09 - 25 - 0000 September 25 McGwire 375 Bennett, Shayne Shayne Bennett Montreal Expos 66 66 000000002017 - 09 - 26 - 0000 September 26 McGwire 403 Hermanson, Dustin Dustin Hermanson Montreal Expos 67 66 000000002017 - 09 - 26 - 0000 September 26 McGwire 435 Bullinger, Kirk Kirk Bullinger Montreal Expos 68 66 000000002017 - 09 - 27 - 0000 September 27 McGwire 377 Thurman, Mike Mike Thurman Montreal Expos 69 66 000000002017 - 09 - 27 - 0000 September 27 McGwire 370 Pavano, Carl Carl Pavano Montreal Expos 70 66 References 1990s portal Jump up ^ `` Year - by - Year League Leaders & Records for Home Runs ''. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Brady Anderson ''. baseball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Mark McGwire 1996 Batting Gamelogs ''. baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Mark McGwire 1997 Batting Gamelogs ''. Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Ken Griffey 1997 Batting Gamelogs ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` The Month of Rudy York by Lee Panas ''. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Mark McGwire 1998 Batting Gamelogs ''. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Ken Griffey 1998 Batting Gamelogs ''. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Home Run in a Month Records by Baseball Almanac ''. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Sammy Sosa 1998 Batting Gamelogs ''. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ Dedman, Bill ( September 29, 1998 ). `` Unlikely Season Of Dreams For Cubs ''. The New York Times. p. D3. Since Caray died at the start of spring training, Sosa has honored him with a ' V ' sign after every home run this season, along with his heart thumps and kisses for the Sosa family. Jump up ^ `` Barry Bonds 73 Home Run Season & Home Run Logs by Baseball Almanac ''. Retrieved August 10, 2007. Jump up ^ Leonhardt, David ( March 30, 2005 ). `` Myth of men who saved baseball ''. New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2010. Jump up ^ http://snl.jt.org/imp.php?i=1611 Jump up ^ `` Mark McGwire 's Seventy Home Run Season by Baseball Almanac ''. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Sammy Sosa 's 66 Home Run Season by Baseball Almanac ''. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Mark McGwire 1998 Game by Game Batting Logs ''. Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. 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breaker games 1995 AL West Playoff 1998 NL Wild Card Playoff 1999 NL Wild Card Playoff New York Yankees Final game at Yankee Stadium ( 2008 ) Yankees -- Red Sox rivalry Curse of the Bambino Postseason Baseball 's longest postseason game ( 2005 ) AL Division Series 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 ( coverage aired on ABC Family ) 2003 2005 2006 NL Division Series 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 ( coverage aired on ABC Family ) 2003 2005 2006 AL Wild Card Game 2015 2017 2019 2021 NL Wild Card Game 2014 2016 2018 2020 Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio Play - by - play Charley Steiner ( 1998 -- 2001 ) Jon Miller ( 1998 -- 2010 ) Dan Shulman ( 2002 -- present ) Gary Thorne ( 2008 -- 2009 ) Jon Sciambi ( 2010 -- present ) Analysts Kevin Kennedy ( 1998 ) Dave Campbell ( 1999 -- 2010 ) Chris Singleton ( 2011 -- present ) Studio hosts Joe D'Ambrosio ( 1998 -- 2007 ) Marc Kestecher ( 2008 -- present ) AL Championship Series 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 NL Championship Series 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AL Division Series 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 NL Division Series 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AL Wild Card Game 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 NL Wild Card Game 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 All - Star Game 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 World Series 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Related programs ESPN Major League Baseball Major League Baseball Game of the Week Sunday Night Baseball Commentators All - Star Game ALCS ALDS NLCS NLDS World Series Lore 1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase Death of Osama bin Laden Grand Slam Single Tie - breaker games 1998 NL Wild Card Playoff 1999 NL Wild Card Playoff 2007 NL Wild Card Playoff 2008 AL Central Playoff 2009 AL Central Playoff 2013 AL Wild Card tie - breaker Divisional Series games The Flip Play `` The Bug Game '' Roy Halladay 's postseason no - hitter `` The Illegal Slide Game '' `` The 53 - Minute 7th Inning '' World Series games The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty Game 6 of the 2011 World Series Walk - off Obstruction Chicago Cubs Steve Bartman ( 2003 ) Curse of the Billy Goat New York Yankees Yankees -- Red Sox rivalry Curse of the Bambino Final game at Yankee Stadium ( 2008 ) Related articles Major League Baseball on the radio Home Run Derby Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1998_Major_League_Baseball_home_run_record_chase&oldid=802741051 '' Categories : 1998 Major League Baseball season History of Major League Baseball Doping in baseball St. Louis Cardinals Chicago Cubs 1998 in sports in Missouri 1998 in sports in Illinois Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from May 2014 Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia 日本 語 Edit links This page was last edited on 28 September 2017, at 04 : 36. 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Question: who made the most home runs in 1998
Answer: Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals