What Is 1998 MLB Home Run Record Chase

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 MLB home run record chase was a historic season-long battle between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, who both surpassed Roger Maris's 61-home run record; McGwire ultimately hit 70 home runs, breaking the single-season record.

Key Facts

Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs in the 1998 season, breaking the previous record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961.
Sammy Sosa finished the 1998 season with 66 home runs, making it the most dramatic home run race in MLB history.
Roger Maris held the previous single-season record with 61 home runs in 1961, a record that stood for 37 years.
McGwire hit his 62nd home run on September 8, 1998, officially breaking Maris's record.
The 1998 home run chase led to a massive surge in MLB attendance and TV ratings, with total attendance increasing by 10 million fans.

Overview

The 1998 Major League Baseball season featured one of the most electrifying storylines in sports history: the home run record chase between Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. Both players pursued and ultimately surpassed Roger Maris’s long-standing single-season record of 61 home runs, set in 1961, capturing national attention and revitalizing interest in baseball after the 1994 strike.

Fueled by dramatic home run races, day-after-day coverage, and emotional fan engagement, the 1998 season became a cultural phenomenon. The chase was not just about statistics—it symbolized hope and resurgence for the sport, drawing casual fans back to ballparks and television broadcasts across the country.

Mark McGwire began the season with a strong pace, hitting 34 home runs by the All-Star break, setting the stage for a record attempt.
Sammy Sosa surged in June, hitting 20 home runs that month alone, igniting a friendly rivalry and national spotlight.
On September 8, 1998, McGwire hit his 62nd home run, surpassing Maris’s 37-year-old record amid a standing ovation at Busch Stadium.
Sosa finished the season with 66 home runs, the second-highest total that year, earning him the National League MVP.
Their combined total of 136 home runs shattered previous expectations and remains one of the most celebrated offensive duels in sports history.

Key Players and Milestones

The chase was defined by the contrasting styles and personal narratives of McGwire and Sosa, both of whom became national icons during the season. Their performances transcended statistics, becoming symbols of perseverance and joy in American sports.

Mark McGwire was known for his powerful swing and quiet demeanor, having hit 58 home runs the previous year, already signaling a potential record run.
Sammy Sosa brought energy and charisma, often rounding the bases with a wide smile, endearing him to fans and media alike.
McGwire reached 50 home runs in just 146 games, the fastest pace in MLB history at the time, surpassing Babe Ruth’s 1927 season.
Sosa became the first player since 1961 to hit 60 or more home runs in a season, finishing with 66.
Their head-to-head matchups, especially during interleague play, drew record TV ratings, with one game attracting over 10 million viewers.
Both players were awarded the 1998 Hank Aaron Award as the best offensive performers in each league.
McGwire won the National League MVP, receiving 21 of 32 first-place votes, despite Sosa’s strong season.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1998 home run race to previous record seasons highlights how extraordinary McGwire and Sosa’s achievements were in both pace and public impact.

Player	Year	Home Runs	Team	Notable Context
Mark McGwire	1998	70	St. Louis Cardinals	Set new single-season record; ended 37-year Maris streak.
Sammy Sosa	1998	66	Chicago Cubs	First 60+ HR season since 1961; NL MVP runner-up.
Roger Maris	1961	61	New York Yankees	Broke Babe Ruth’s 60 HR record amid media scrutiny.
Babe Ruth	1927	60	New York Yankees	Set original benchmark; stood for 34 years.
Barry Bonds	2001	73	San Francisco Giants	Later broke McGwire’s record amid steroid controversy.

The table illustrates how the 1998 season redefined expectations for power hitting. While Maris and Ruth played in eras with less media exposure and smaller ballparks, McGwire and Sosa performed under intense scrutiny and global attention. The cultural significance of their race helped boost MLB’s popularity, reversing post-strike declines and setting the stage for future offensive explosions—though later overshadowed by steroid revelations.

Why It Matters

The 1998 home run chase remains a pivotal moment in sports history, not just for the records broken but for its broader cultural and economic impact on baseball. It brought millions of fans back to the game and inspired a generation of young players.

MLB attendance increased by over 10 million fans from 1997 to 1998, the largest year-over-year jump in decades.
TV ratings for regular-season games rose by 22%, with McGwire-Sosa matchups drawing special broadcasts.
McGwire was named 1998 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, highlighting his cultural impact.
The race helped popularize fantasy baseball and boosted merchandise sales, especially for McGwire and Sosa jerseys.
Despite later controversies over performance-enhancing drugs, the 1998 season remains nostalgically celebrated.
It paved the way for Barry Bonds’ 73-home run season in 2001, though with far less public admiration.

Ultimately, the 1998 home run chase was more than a statistical milestone—it was a unifying national event that reminded fans why they loved baseball, even as the sport later grappled with questions about fairness and integrity.