Description

The whole nation is watching. It’s the night of September 8, 1998, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The day before, slugger Mark McGwire had passed Babe Ruth with his 61st homer. Now it’s time to break Roger Maris’ 37-year-old record for home runs in a single season. The Cubs and Sammy Sosa are the opponent and Steve Trachsel is on the mound. It’s the bottom of the fourth. There are two outs, and the bases are empty as the Cubs’ right-hander delivers his first pitch to the Cardinals’ 34-year-old first baseman. It’s a knee-high fastball. And McGwire gets it, sending a screaming line drive down the leftfield line and over the wall for home run No. 62! A Jubilant McGwire misses first base and has to retreat as the crowd of 43,688 goes wild. He is greeted at the plate by his 10-year-old son and his teammates. An 11-minute delay ensues as McGwire enters the stands to hug Maris’ children. Then he and Sosa embrace. Memories for a lifetime. And the Cardinals win the game, 6-3.