- Publish date:
Touching 'em All It started with four homers in the first four games of the season. Here's how Mark McGwire's quest for 62 played out, blow by blow, during the 1998 season
1
March 31
GAME 1, vs. Dodgers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 1-0 2
PITCHER Ramon Martinez (R)
Bases loaded
364'
21st player to hit grand slam on Opening Day. "How can you not
get chills?" he says.
2
April 2
GAME 2, vs. Dodgers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
12 0-1 2
PITCHER Frank Lankford (R)
Runners on first and second
368'
Extra-inning shot is his second game-winner in two games.
3
April 3
GAME 3, vs. Padres
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 3-2 0
PITCHER Mark Langston (L)
Runner on third
364'
390th career homer ties Graig Nettles at 28th on alltime list.
4
April 4
GAME 4, vs. Padres
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
6 2-1 0
PITCHER Don Wengert (R)
Runners on first and third
419'
Ties Willie Mays's record for most consecutive games with a
homer at start of a season.
5
April 14
GAME 13, vs. Diamondbacks
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 1-2 1
PITCHER Jeff Suppan (R)
Runner on first
424'
Ends eight-game homerless drought in front of son, Matt, who's
serving as batboy.
6
April 14
GAME 13, vs. Diamondbacks
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 1-1 2
PITCHER Jeff Suppan (R)
Bases empty
347'
One of his three shortest home runs of the season.
7
April 14
GAME 13, vs. Diamondbacks
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 2-0 0
PITCHER Barry Manuel (R)
Runner on first
462'
Third three-homer game of his career, first since June 11, 1995.
8
April 17
GAME 16, vs. Phillies
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 2-2 2
PITCHER Matt Whiteside (R)
Runner on second
419'
Season total is more than that of entire Phillies team (seven).
9
April 21
GAME 19, vs. Expos
Olympic Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 0-0 2
PITCHER Trey Moore (L)
Runner on first
437'
First homer on the road in 1998.
10
April 25
GAME 23, vs. Phillies
Veterans Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 1-2 2
PITCHER Jerry Spradlin (R)
Runner on first
419'
Tuned up in BP by going yard on 20 swings, including four blasts
into the upper deck.
11
April 30
GAME 27, vs. Cubs
Wrigley Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 2-1 1
PITCHER Marc Pisciotta (R)
Runner on first
371'
0 for 3 with two strikeouts against starter Kerry Wood, the
rookie fireballer.
12
May 1
GAME 28, vs. Cubs
Wrigley Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
9 1-2 2
PITCHER Rod Beck (R)
Runner on third
362'
Three bases on balls give him 30 walks in the the team's 28 games.
13
May 8
GAME 34, vs. Mets
Shea Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 0-2 1
PITCHER Rick Reed (R)
Runner on third
358'
26th player to hit 400 homers, reaching milestone in fewest at
bats (4,726).
14
May 12
GAME 36, vs. Brewers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 1-2 0
PITCHER Paul Wagner (R)
Runners on first and second
527'
Longest home run in Busch Stadium history.
15
May 14
GAME 38, vs. Atlanta
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 1-1 0
PITCHER Kevin Millwood (R)
Bases empty
381'
First homer of the season to the opposite field.
16
May 16
GAME 40, vs. Marlins
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 1-0 0
PITCHER Livan Hernandez (R)
Bases empty
545'
Longest home run at Busch, trumping record he had set four days
earlier.
17
May 18
GAME 42, vs. Marlins
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 2-0 0
PITCHER Jesus Sanchez (L)
Bases empty
478'
"Hard to believe Babe Ruth hit balls higher and longer than
that," says Mike Piazza.
18
May 19
GAME 43, vs. Phillies
Veterans Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 2-0 1
PITCHER Tyler Green (R)
Runner on third
440'
First of his three two-run homers in the game.
19
May 19
GAME 43, vs. Phillies
Veterans Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 0-2 0
PITCHER Tyler Green (R)
Runner on second
471'
45th multihomer game of his career; only nine players have more.
20
May 19
GAME 43, vs. Phillies
Veterans Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 0-0 0
PITCHER Wayne Gomes (R)
Runner on first
451'
Game-winning shot lands in upper deck, drawing standing ovation
from Philly crowd.
21
May 22
GAME 46, vs. Giants
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
6 1-1 1
PITCHER Mark Gardner (R)
Runner on first
425'
First homer to land in Big Mac Land, guaranteeing 47,549 fans a
free Big Mac.
22
May 23
GAME 47, vs. Giants
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 1-0 1
PITCHER Rich Rodriguez (L)
Bases empty
366'
"At least I made SportsCenter," says Rodriguez.
23
May 23
GAME 47, vs. Giants
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 2-2 1
PITCHER John Johnstone (R)
Runners on first and second
477'
Seventh homer in his last five games gives him 46th career
multihomer game.
24
May 24
GAME 48, vs. Giants
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
12 2-2 2
PITCHER Robb Nen (R)
Runner on first
397'
Homer ties game; walked intentionally with two outs and bases
empty in the 14th.
25
May 25
GAME 49, vs. Rockies
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 2-2 2
PITCHER John Thomson (R)
Bases empty
433'
First player to hit 25 home runs before June 1; ninth homer in
last seven games.
26
May 29
GAME 52, vs. Padres
Qualcomm Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
9 0-1 1
PITCHER Dan Miceli (R)
Runner on second
388'
Ties club record with 15th home run in one month.
27
May 30
GAME 53, vs. Padres
Qualcomm Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 0-1 2
PITCHER Andy Ashby (R)
Bases empty
423'
16th home run of the month ties Mickey Mantle for most ever hit
in May.
28
June 5
GAME 59, vs. Giants
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 1-2 1
PITCHER Orel Hershiser (R)
Runner on second
409'
Homers in first at bat after missing three games because of back
spasms.
29
June 8
GAME 62, vs. White Sox
Comiskey Park
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 0-0 0
PITCHER Jason Bere (R)
Runner on first
356'
Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, in town for NBA Finals, stops by
to watch BP.
30
June 10
GAME 64, vs. White Sox
Comiskey Park
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 1-0 1
PITCHER Jim Parque (L)
Runners on second and third
409'
Only Ruth reached 30 home runs faster, doing it in 63 games in
1928.
31
June 12
GAME 65, vs. Diamondbacks
Bank One Ballpark
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 1-0 1
PITCHER Andy Benes (R)
Bases loaded
451'
Hits first ball ever out of Bank One Ballpark in BP; later slugs
11th career grand slam.
32
June 17
GAME 69, vs. Astros
The Astrodome
INNING COUNT OUTS
3 1-2 2
PITCHER Jose Lima (R)
Bases empty
347'
"If I hit a home run and we don't win, it doesn't matter," he
says after 6-5 defeat.
33
June 18
GAME 70, vs. Astros
The Astrodome
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 1-1 0
PITCHER Shane Reynolds (R)
Bases empty
449'
Sets major league record for most home runs before July 1--with
12 days left.
34
June 24
GAME 76, vs. Indians
Jacobs Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 1-1 1
PITCHER Jaret Wright (R)
Bases empty
433'
After five games and 18 at bats, ends second-longest homer
drought of '98 to date.
35
June 25
GAME 77, vs. Indians
Jacobs Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 2-2 2
PITCHER Dave Burba (R)
Bases empty
461'
"I never saw the ball," says Burba. "Apparently it went pretty
far."
36
June 27
GAME 79, vs. Twins
The Metrodome
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 2-2 2
PITCHER Mike Trombley (R)
Runner on first
431'
Most home runs in a season by a Cardinal since Stan Musial
clubbed 36 in 1949.
37
June 30
GAME 81, vs. Royals
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 0-1 0
PITCHER Glendon Rusch (L)
Bases empty
472'
Ties Reggie Jackson for most home runs ever before the All-Star
break.
38
July 11
GAME 89, vs. Astros
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
11 0-2 1
PITCHER Billy Wagner (L)
Runner on first
485'
Extra-inning blast is his eighth game-winning homer of the
season.
39
July 12
GAME 90, vs. Astros
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 0-0 2
PITCHER Sean Bergman (R)
Bases empty
405'
Two at bats later, draws major league-leading 19th intentional
walk.
40
July 12
GAME 90, vs. Astros
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 2-1 0
PITCHER Scott Elarton (R)
Bases empty
415'
Reaches 40 mark in fewest at bats ever (281) and fewest games
ever (90).
41
July 17
GAME 95, vs. Dodgers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 0-0 2
PITCHER Brian Bohanon (L)
Bases empty
511'
Fourth homer in nine career at bats against Bohanon.
42
July 17
GAME 95, vs. Dodgers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 1-0 1
PITCHER Antonio Osuna (R)
Bases empty
425'
With two weeks to spare, sets major league record for most homers
by end of July.
43
July 20
GAME 98, vs. Padres
Qualcomm Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
5 2-1 0
PITCHER Brian Boehringer (R)
Runner on first
458'
After 4-for-4 day, has five homers and 15 RBIs in eight games vs.
San Diego in '98.
44
July 26
GAME 104, vs. Rockies
Coors Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 0-0 2
PITCHER John Thomson (R)
Bases empty
452'
Ends 0-for-16 slump and breaks Johnny Mize's team record for
homers in a season.
45
July 28
GAME 105, vs. Brewers
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 2-2 1
PITCHER Mike Myers (L)
Bases empty
408'
Only second opposite-field homer of the year.
46
Aug. 8
GAME 115, vs. Cubs
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 2-1 0
PITCHER Mark Clark (R)
Bases empty
374'
Also walks four times, boosting major league lead to 119 for the
season.
47
Aug. 11
GAME 118, vs. Mets
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 1-0 0
PITCHER Bobby Jones (R)
Bases empty
464'
Has 71 homers, 146 RBIs and 165 walks in 162 games since coming
to St. Louis.
48
Aug. 19
GAME 124, vs. Cubs
Wrigley Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 3-1 1
PITCHER Matt Karchner (R)
Bases empty
430'
Sammy Sosa takes NL lead with 48th homer in the fifth, but
McGwire ties him...
49
Aug. 19
GAME 124, vs. Cubs
Wrigley Field
INNING COUNT OUTS
10 2-0 1
PITCHER Terry Mulholland (L)
Bases empty
402'
...and, two innings later, reclaims the lead. It's his 49th
multihomer game.
50
Aug. 20
GAME 125, vs. Mets
Shea Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 2-1 0
PITCHER Willie Blair (R)
Bases empty
369'
First player to hit 50 or more homers in three straight seasons.
51
Aug. 20
GAME 126, vs. Mets
Shea Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 3-2 2
PITCHER Rick Reed (R)
Bases empty
385'
After going yard in the opener of the doubleheader, does it again
in the nightcap.
52
Aug. 22
GAME 129, vs. Pirates
Three Rivers Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 0-2 2
PITCHER Francisco Cordova (R)
Bases empty
477'
Breaks Ruth's record for homers in three consecutive seasons
(162).
53
Aug. 23
GAME 130 vs. Pirates
Three Rivers Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 2-2 2
PITCHER Ricardo Rincon (L)
Bases empty
393'
Skips BP for second day in a row, then wallops sixth homer in
five days.
54
Aug. 26
GAME 133, vs. Marlins
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 0-1 0
PITCHER Justin Speier (R)
Runner on third
509'
Not in celebratory mood after bullpen blows six-run lead in ninth
and Cards lose.
55
Aug. 30
GAME 137, vs. Braves
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 1-0 0
PITCHER Dennis Martinez (R)
Runners on first and second
501'
A day after being ejected for arguing called strike, hits fifth
500-footer at Busch in '98.
56
Sept. 1
GAME 139, vs. Marlins
Pro Player Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 1-1 0
PITCHER Livan Hernandez (R)
Bases empty
450'
Ties Hack Wilson's 68-year-old NL record for most homers in a
season.
57
Sept. 1
GAME 139, vs. Marlins
Pro Player Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
9 0-0 1
PITCHER Donn Pall (R)
Bases empty
472'
Seventh multihomer game of the year. Moves up to 21st on alltime
homer list, with 443.
58
Sept. 2
GAME 140, vs. Marlins
Pro Player Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
7 2-1 2
PITCHER Brian Edmondson (R)
Runner on third
497'
Ties his career best for homers in a season, matching last year's
total.
59
Sept. 2
GAME 140, vs. Marlins
Pro Player Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
8 0-0 2
PITCHER Rob Stanifer (R)
Runner on second
458'
Most home runs ever by a righthanded hitter. "Quite amazing,
isn't it?" he says.
60
Sept. 5
GAME 142, vs. Reds
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 2-0 1
PITCHER Dennis Reyes (L)
Runner on first
381'
Joins Ruth and Roger Maris as only players to hit 60. Has 21
games to hit two more.
61
Sept. 7
GAME 144, vs. Cubs
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
1 1-1 2
PITCHER Mike Morgan (R)
Bases empty
430'
With Maris's kids in the crowd, ties record with shot off the
Stadium Club window.
62
Sept. 8
Game 145, vs. Cubs
Busch Stadium
INNING COUNT OUTS
4 0-0 2
PITCHER Steve Trachsel (R)
Bases empty
341'
Record-breaker is a bullet of a liner, atypical for Mac, that
barely clears the wall.
COLOR PHOTO: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LANCE JACKSON [Mark McGwire batting]
FIFTEEN COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS: ILLUSTRATIONS BY ED GABEL [Diagrams of Busch Stadium, Olympic Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, Comiskey Park, Coors Field, Wrigley Field, Shea Stadium, Veterans Stadium, The Metrodome, Pro Player Stadium, Wrigley Field, Bank One Ballpark, The Astrodome, Jacobs Field and Three Rivers Stadium indicating locations of Mark McGwire's 62 home runs]
