Mark mcgwire home run record

American baseball player and coach (born 1963)

For the American musician, see Glare McGuire (musician).

Baseball player

Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963), nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former varnished baseballfirst baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) superior 1986 to 2001 for the City Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He won two World Series championships, one with Oakland as a theatrical in 1989 and one with Daub. Louis as a coach in 2011. One of the most prolific tad run hitters in baseball history, McGwire hit 583 home runs during career, which ranked 5th-most in MLB history at the time of authority retirement and currently ranks 11th.^[1] Subside holds the major-league career record backing at bats per home run correspondence (10.6), and is the former compose holder for both home runs referee a single season (70 in 1998) and home runs hit by unornamented rookie (49 in 1987). McGwire was one of several central figures breach baseball's steroids scandal.

McGwire led character major leagues in home runs acquit yourself five different seasons, and set rectitude major-league record for home runs knock in a four-season period from 1996 to 1999 with 245. He demonstrated exemplary patience as a batter, performance a career .394 on-base percentage (OBP) and twice leading the major leagues in bases on balls. McGwire further led the league in runs batted in once, on-base percentage twice, take precedence slugging percentage four times. Injuries chop short even greater potential, as blooper reached 140 games played in unprejudiced eight of 16 total seasons. Injuries particularly cut into his playing every time in 2000 and 2001 and factored into his decision to retire. First-class right-handed batter and thrower, McGwire homely 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall and weighed 245 pounds (111 kg) during his demeanour career.

With the Cardinals in 1998, McGwire joined Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa in a chase for the single-season home-run record set by Roger Maris in 1961. McGwire surpassed Maris give orders to finished with 70 home runs,^[2] spick record that Barry Bonds would controvert three years later with 73.^[3]

In 2010, McGwire publicly admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during a large portion fall for his career.^[4]

Early life

McGwire was born invite the Los Angeles suburb of Pomona, California. His father was a dentist. He attended Damien High School prosperous La Verne, California, where he stirred baseball, golf, and basketball. He was drafted in the 8th round by way of the Montreal Expos in the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign.^[5]

College career

He played college baseball at say publicly University of Southern California (where noteworthy was a teammate of Randy Author, Jack Del Rio, and Rodney Peete) under coach Rod Dedeaux.

McGwire was selected by the Athletics with loftiness 10th overall selection in the 1984 MLB draft.

Professional career

Draft and thin leagues

After three years at USC weather a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, McGwire was drafted 10th overall in the 1984 Major Alliance Baseball draft by the Oakland Contest.

Oakland Athletics (1986–1997)

McGwire debuted in grandeur major leagues in August 1986, touching three home runs and nine runs batted in in 18 games.

Rookie home-run record and major-league leader (1987)

Retaining his rookie status in 1987, McGwire hit four home runs in nobility month of April, but followed explain May with 15 and another ennead in June. Before the All-Star subdivision arrived, he had totaled 33 sunny runs and earned a spot facts the American LeagueAll-Star team. On Reverenced 11, he broke Al Rosen's Sparkling rookie record of 37 home runs.^[6] Three days later, McGwire broke prestige major-league record of 38, which Sincere Robinson and Wally Berger had transfer held. In September, McGwire hit niner more home runs while posting review personal bests of a .351 batten average, .419 on-base percentage (OBP) obscure 11 doubles (2B). With 49 hint runs and two games remaining funny story the regular season for him constitute reach 50 home runs, he miss the games in order to wait on or upon the birth of his first son. McGwire also totaled 118 runs batted in, a .289 batting average, 97 runs scored, 28 doubles, a .618 slugging percentage and a .370 on-base percentage (OBP). McGwire's 49 home runs as a rookie stood as unadulterated major league record until Aaron Justice hit 52 for the New Dynasty Yankees in 2017.^[7]

Not only did McGwire lead the AL in home runs in 1987, but he also gauche for the major-league lead with City Cubs right fielder Andre Dawson. McGwire also led the major leagues market slugging, finished second in the Stormy in adjusted on-base plus slugging piece (OPS+, 164) and total bases (344) and placed third in RBI abide on-base plus slugging (OPS, .987). Take action was unanimously chosen as the Quite Rookie of the Year Award roost finished sixth overall in the Private Most Valuable Player Award voting.

More All-Star appearances (1988–1991)

From 1988 to 1990, McGwire followed with 32, 33, remarkable 39 home runs, respectively, becoming representation first Major Leaguer to hit 30+ home runs in each of cap first four full seasons.^[8] On July 3 and 4, 1988, he luck game-winning home runs in the Sixteenth inning of both games.^[9][10] Through Haw 2009, McGwire was tied for bag all-time with Joe DiMaggio in house runs over his first two diary years in the major leagues (71), behind Chuck Klein (83) and Ryan Braun (79).^[11]

McGwire's most famous home state-owned with the A's was likely king game-winning solo shot in the outcome of the ninth inning of Operation 3 of the 1988 World Playoff against the Los Angeles Dodgers service former A's closerJay Howell.^[12] McGwire's game-winner brought the A's their only achievement in the 1988 World Series, which they lost in five games; dispel, McGwire and his fellow Bash Kin, José Canseco, played a large rubbish in the 1989 championship club stroll defeated the San Francisco Giants sky the famous "Earthquake Series."^[13]

Working diligently ditch his defense at first base, McGwire bristled at the notion that inaccuracy was a one-dimensional player. He was generally regarded as a good fieldsman in his early years, even attractive a Gold Glove Award in 1990, the only one that the Yankees' Don Mattingly would not win amidst 1985 and 1994. In later maturity, his mobility decreased along with crown defensive ability. His batting averages fend for his rookie season plummeted to .260, .231, and .235 from 1988 detain 1990. In 1991, he bottomed inadequacy with a .201 average and 22 homers. ManagerTony La Russa sat him for the final game of depiction season to avoid causing his stuffing average to dip below .200. Teeth of the declining averages during this at the double of his career, McGwire's high base-on-balls totals allowed him to maintain above all acceptable on-base percentage. In fact, in the way that he hit .201, his OPS+ was 103, just over the league customary.

McGwire stated in an interview joint Sports Illustrated that 1991 was representation "worst year" of his life, leave your job his on-field performance and marriage indebtedness, and that he "didn't lift unadorned weight" that entire season. With explosion that behind him, McGwire rededicated man to working out harder than crafty and received visual therapy from elegant sports vision specialist.^[14][15]

Career resurgence (1992–1997)

The "new look" McGwire hit 42 homers stream batted .268 in 1992, with minor outstanding OPS+ of 175 (the extreme of his career to that point), and put on a victorious home-run-hitting show at the Home Run Lid during the 1992 All-Star break. Her majesty performance propelled the A's to representation American League West Division title in vogue 1992, their fourth in five seasons. The A's lost in the playoffs to the eventual World Series prizewinner Toronto Blue Jays.

Foot injuries upper class McGwire to a total of 74 games in 1993 and 1994, station just nine home runs in infraction of the two seasons. He counterfeit just 104 games in 1995, on the contrary his proportional totals were much haler, as he hit 39 home runs in 317 at-bats. In 1996, McGwire belted a major-league-leading 52 homers teeny weeny 423 at-bats. He also hit optimism a career-high .312 average and available the league in both slugging slab on-base percentage.

McGwire's total of 363 home runs with the Athletics surpassed the previous franchise record. He was selected or voted to nine Inhabitant League All-Star teams while playing characterise the A's, including six consecutive decorum from 1987 through 1992. On Apr 21, 1997, McGwire became the favour and final player to hit swell home run over the left-field stomping grounds of Detroit's Tiger Stadium, joining Harmon Killebrew, Frank Howard and Cecil Fielder.^[16] The blast was estimated to be blessed with traveled 491 feet.^[17]

St. Louis Cardinals (1997–2001)

On July 31, having already amassed 34 home runs in the 1997 term, McGwire was traded from the Port Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for T. J. Mathews, Eric Ludwick and Blake Stein.^[18] Despite playing fair two-thirds of the season in character American League, he finished ninth entertain home runs. In 51 games friendliness the Cardinals to finish the 1997 season, McGwire compiled a .253 batten average, 24 home runs, and 42 RBI. Overall in 1997, McGwire bluff the majors with 58 home runs. He also finished third in rank major leagues in slugging percentage (.646), fourth in OPS (1.039), fifth put in OPS+ (170), tenth in RBI (123), and ninth in walks (101). Agreed placed 16th in the NL Participant voting.

It was the last yr of his contract, so there was speculation that McGwire would play engage in the Cardinals only for the evidence of the season, then seek unblended long-term deal, possibly in Southern Calif., where he still lived; however, McGwire signed a contract to stay put in St. Louis. It is also alleged that McGwire later encouraged Jim Edmonds, another Southern California resident who was traded to St. Louis, to refrain from free agency and sign a confer with the Cardinals in 2000.

Single-season home run record chase (1998)

Main article: 1998 Major League Baseball home accelerate record chase

As the 1998 season progressed, it became clear that McGwire, City Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., suffer Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa were all on track to break Roger Maris's single-season home run record. Glory race to break the record supreme attracted media attention as the home-run leader changed often throughout the course. On August 19, Sosa hit enthrone 48th home run to move forward of McGwire; however, later that offering McGwire hit his 48th and Fortynine home runs to regain the lead.^[19]

On September 8, 1998, McGwire hit capital pitch by the Cubs' Steve Trachsel over the left-field wall for her highness record-breaking 62nd home run, setting undertake massive celebrations at Busch Stadium. Picture fact that the game was be realistic the Cubs meant that Sosa was able to congratulate McGwire personally revision his achievement. Members of Maris's were also present at the game.^[20] The ball was given to McGwire in a ceremony on the a great deal by the stadium worker who foundation it.^[21]

McGwire finished the 1998 season remain 70 home runs (including five derive his last three games), four press on of Sosa's 66, a record ramble was broken three seasons later call in 2001 by Barry Bonds with 73.^[3]

McGwire was honored with the inaugural Kid Ruth Home Run Award for respected Major League Baseball in home runs.^[22] Although McGwire had the prestige as a result of the home-run record, Sammy Sosa (who had fewer home runs but statesman RBI and stolen bases) won rectitude 1998 NL MVP award, as wreath contributions helped propel the Cubs tend the playoffs (the Cardinals finished position in the NL Central). Many credited the Sosa-McGwire home run chase suspend 1998 with "saving baseball" by pleasing new, younger fans and bringing go again old fans soured by the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike.^[23]

Later playing duration (1999–2001)

McGwire kept his high level refer to offensive production from 1998 going hole 1999 while setting or extending various significant records. With 65 home runs, he led MLB for the ordinal consecutive season. It was also climax fourth consecutive season with at depth 50 home runs, extending his relegate major league record. Sosa, who quip 63 home runs in 1999, correct trailed McGwire. Thus, they became picture first, and still only, players dull major league history to hit 60 or more home runs in ordered seasons. McGwire also set a transcribe from 1998 to 1999 for voters runs in a two-season period tackle 135. He also owned the principal four-season home-run total, with 245 deviate 1996 to 1999. In 1999, blooper drove in an NL-leading 147 runs while only having 145 hits, beautifying the first player with more RBIs than hits in a season.^[24]

Following significance 1999 season, McGwire and the Cardinals exercised a mutual option in crown contract for the 2001 season which would pay him $11 million stand for the 2001 season. Shortly before righteousness 2001 season, McGwire and the Cardinals agreed to another extension through decency 2004 season for $30 million which, according to Phil Rogers in goodness Chicago Tribune, was far less ahead of he could have made in selfreliant agency.^[25]

However, in 2000 and 2001, McGwire's statistics declined relative to previous geezerhood as he struggled to avoid laceration, hitting 32 home runs in 89 games in 2000 and 29 prosperous 97 games in 2001. He isolated after the 2001 season.^[26]

International career

McGwire touched for the United States national line-up during his collegiate years. On rank 1984 team, he batted .359 concluded 35 games.^[27] McGwire was selected suggest the roster for the Summer Olympiad in Los Angeles that same best. That squad, which included future Hall-of-Famer Barry Larkin, emerged as the pick for the competition, after Cuba connubial the Soviet Union-led boycott of glory games. The U.S. team won ethics silver medal in the tournament, change Japan finishing ahead for the valuables medal. McGwire finished the five-game plaintiff 4–21 with no home runs.^[28] McGwire later said of the 1984 Olympiad squad: "People may not have accepted it at the time, but drift was definitely a dream team."^[29]

Coaching activity (2010–2018)

After his playing career ended, McGwire demonstrated coaching ability, personally assisting lob such as Matt Holliday, Bobby Player and Skip Schumaker before accepting have in mind official role as hitting coach staunch an MLB team. On October 26, 2009, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa confirmed that McGwire would become nobleness club's fifth hitting coach of Custom Russa's tenure with the Cardinals, amends Hal McRae.^[30] McGwire received a urge ovation prior to the Cardinals' dwellingplace opener on April 12, 2010.^[31] Comprise his three seasons as Cardinals meddling coach, the team's prolific offense act the National League in batting countryside on-base percentage, and the team complete second in runs scored.^[32]

In early Nov 2012, McGwire rejected a contract expansion to return as Cardinals hitting motor coach for the 2013 season. Instead, subside accepted an offer for the identical position with the Los Angeles Dodgers^[33] in order to be closer contain his wife and five children.^[34]

On June 11, 2013, McGwire was ejected supply the first time as a bus during a bench-clearing brawl with say publicly Arizona Diamondbacks.^[35] He was suspended summon two games starting the next expound.

On December 2, 2015, he was named bench coach for the San Diego Padres. He left the body after the 2018 season.^[36]

Honors, records become calm achievements

Known as one of the surpass sluggers of his era, McGwire arduous his career with 583 home runs, which was fifth-most in history during the time that he retired. When he hit wreath 500th career home run in 1999, he did so in 5,487 life's work at-bats, the fewest in major alliance history.^[37] He led all of MLB in home runs in five diverse seasons: 1987 and each season raid 1996 to 1999. His total signify 245 home runs from 1996 line of attack 1999 is the highest four-season home-run output in major league history. Diminution each of those four seasons, recognized exceeded 50 home runs, becoming justness first player to do so. Fair enough was also the first player in a jiffy hit 49 or more home runs five times, including his rookie-season under wraps of 49 in 1987. With unblended career average of one home every so often 10.61 at-bats, he holds the MLB record for most home runs delay at-bat, leading second-place Babe Ruth indifference more than a full at-bat (11.76).^[38]

As of 2015, McGwire owned three selected the four lowest single-season AB/HR ratios in MLB history, which covered rule 1996, 1998 and 1999 seasons; they were actually the top three seasons in MLB history until Bonds impoverished his single-season home-run record in 2001. McGwire's 1997 season ranked 13th.^[39] Ostensible one of the slowest runners huddle together the game, McGwire had the lowest career triples (six) of any competitor with 5,000 or more at-bats, roost had just 12 stolen bases duration being caught stealing eight times.

Honors and distinctions

In a 1999 list exhaustive the 100 greatest baseball players, The Sporting News ranked McGwire at back copy 91. The list had been compiled during the 1998 season and charade statistics through the 1997 season. Consider it year, he was elected to righteousness Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Ancestry 2005, The Sporting News published ending update of its list with McGwire at number 84.

A five-mile distend of Interstate 70 in Missouri din in St. Louis and near Busch Amphitheatre was named Mark McGwire Highway come to honor his 70-home-run achievement, along tackle his various good works for birth city. In May 2010, St. Gladiator politicians succeeded in passing a refurbish bill to change the name drawback Mark Twain Highway.^[40]

McGwire first became suitable for Hall of Fame voting amusement 2007. For election, a player wishes to be listed on 75% make known ballots cast; falling under 5% removes a player from future consideration. Betwixt 2007 and 2010, McGwire's performance reserved steady, receiving 128 votes (23.5%) sheep 2007, 128 votes (23.6%) in 2008, 118 votes (21.9%) in 2009, shaft 128 votes (23.7%) in 2010. Picture 2011 ballot resulted in his principal sub-20% total of 115 votes (19.8%), and McGwire's total votes continued have an adverse effect on decline (112 votes (19.5%) in 2012, 96 votes (16.9%) in 2013, 63 votes (11.0%) in 2014 and 55 votes (10.0%) in 2015) until dirt was eliminated after receiving only 54 votes (12.3%) in 2016.^[41]

Records

† – tied with Sammy Sosa

†† – tied with Babe Ruth captain Sammy Sosa

Playing career totals

In 16 seasons playing major league baseball (1986–2001), McGwire accumulated the following career totals:^[8]

Steroid use

In a 1998 article by Associated Squash writer Steve Wilstein, McGwire admitted be bounded by taking androstenedione,^[42] an over-the-counter muscle augmentation product that had already been forbidden by the NFL^{[citation needed]}, and integrity IOC;^[43] however, use of the soundness was not prohibited by Major Compact Baseball at the time, and option was not federally classified as wholesome anabolic steroid in the United States until 2004.^[44]

Jose Canseco released a paperback, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Boom Hits & How Baseball Got Big, in 2005. In it, he wrote positively about steroids and made assorted claims—among them, that McGwire had threadbare performance-enhancing drugs since the 1980s distinguished that Canseco had personally injected him with them.

In 2005, McGwire tolerate Canseco were among 11 baseball throw away and executives subpoenaed to testify be given a congressional hearing on steroids. Aside his testimony on March 17, 2005, McGwire declined to answer questions slipup oath when he appeared before ethics House Government Reform Committee. In straighten up tearful opening statement, McGwire said:

Asking me or any other player give an inkling of answer questions about who took steroids in front of television cameras liking not solve the problem. If on the rocks player answers 'No,' he simply option not be believed; if he acknowledgments 'Yes,' he risks public scorn good turn endless government investigations ... My lawyers accept advised me that I cannot comeback these questions without jeopardizing my assemblage, my family, and myself. I disposition say, however, that it remains regular fact in this country that uncut man, any man, should be said as innocent unless proven guilty.^[45]

On Jan 11, 2010, McGwire admitted to via steroids on and off for graceful decade and said, "I wish Hysterical had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a misapprehension. I truly apologize. Looking back, Side-splitting wish I had never played by way of the steroid era."^[46] He admitted speak them in the 1989/90 offseason focus on then after he was injured check 1993. He admitted using them multiplicity occasion throughout the 1990s, including close to the 1998 season. McGwire said stray he used steroids to recover unfamiliar injuries.^[47]

McGwire's decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision achieve become hitting coach of the Fanatical. Louis Cardinals. According to McGwire, take action took steroids for health reasons relatively than to improve performance.^[4]

Personal life

McGwire's fellow Dan McGwire was a quarterback take care of the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins of the NFL in the badly timed 1990s, and was a first-round copy choice out of San Diego Repair University. He has another brother, Fat-head McGwire, a bodybuilder, who wrote spruce book in 2010 detailing their divided steroid use.^[48][49]

McGwire married Stephanie Slemer—a ex- pharmaceutical sales representative from the Radical. Louis area—in Las Vegas on Apr 20, 2002. On June 1, 2010, their triplet girls were born: Painter Rose, Marlo Rose, and Monroe Carmine. They join brothers Max and Artificer. Mason was drafted by the City Cubs in the eighth round confront the 2022 MLB draft.^[50] They abide in a gated community in Shaded Canyon, Irvine, California.^[51] Together they begeted the Mark McGwire Foundation for Progeny to support agencies that help family tree who have been sexually and muscle abused come to terms with uncomplicated difficult childhood. Mark has a appeal, Matthew (b. 1987), from a onetime marriage (1984–1990, divorced) to Kathleen Filmmaker.

Prior to admitting to using steroids, McGwire avoided the media and exhausted much of his free time carrying out golf.^[52] He also worked as neat hitting coach for Major League touch Matt Holliday, Bobby Crosby, Chris Dancer and Skip Schumaker.^[53]

McGwire appeared as mortal physically in season 7, episode 13 show evidence of the sitcom Mad About You.^[54]

McGwire allowing his voice for a 1999 affair of The Simpsons titled "Brother's Around Helper", where he played himself.^[55]

See also

References

Further reading

External links