For fans of baseball sluggers, the 1998 season may have been one of the most memorable seasons in recent history.  The 1998 season witnessed a home run record chase that pitted St. Louis Cardinal slugger, Mark McGwire against the heavy bat of the Chicago Cubs’ Sammy Sosa.  Although the two are credited with bringing back the popularity of Major League Baseball, only one could take the home run title.

On this day, September 8th, in 1998, Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris’ home run record with his 62nd home run.  Excitingly enough, the record-breaking home run came against the Chicago Cubs’ Steve Trachsel in Busch Stadium.  Sosa was also able to surpass Maris‘ 62 home run mark, but was not able to finish ahead of McGwire.

McGwire ended the 1998 season with a total of 70 home runs.  McGwire’s record would stand for three seasons, until being broken by Barry Bonds in the 2001 season.