The line-drive homer broke the hallowed record of Roger Maris, who hit 61 in 1961 for the New York Yankees. The six children of the late Maris were among the crowd of 49,987 that packed Busch Stadium to watch the crowning moment of the Great Home Run Chase of 1998. It's absolutely incredible. I'm almost speechless. The whole country has been involved in this since the all-star break.
People say it has brought the country together.
I'm happy to bring the country together. At 6 feet 5 inches and 250 pounds, McGwire casts a large shadow, and in that shadow today stand the legacies of Babe Ruth and Maris. McGwire went back and touched the bag, then resumed his journey around the bases, receiving congratulations from each member of the Cubs infield as the place went berserk. The ball did not have enough trajectory to make it to the stands and was quickly retrieved by Tim Forneris, a member of the grounds crew. No. 61, McGwire pointed skyward before arriving at the plate, where he briefly hugged Cubs catcher Scott Servais.