McGwire in the record books

JYPaul Williams staff writer that baseball has ever seen. His game three winning home run in the World Series of 1998 and a home run off of Randy Johnson that hit the upper deck of the Kingdome showed the immense strength that McGwire could hit the ball with. On July 13, 1997, McGwire was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. There, in 1998, he would break the single-season records for home runs by hitting eight more than Maris

Mark McGwire retired on Sunday, telling he world that he could no longer physicaly endure another baseball season. He will -etire after coming only 17 home runs away 'rom, 600; he would have been only the 'ourth player to do that in the history of ~ajor League Baseball. In 1998, the world .v~tched as he broke Roger Maris's home un record with 70 homeruns in a season. rhough it was a short-lived record with 3arry Bonds breaking the record this year, ~cGwire will always be known for his batle for the home run record with Sammy ~osa in 1998.

McGwire released a statement that said he ;ontributed to the success of some teams, md his motivation for playing was competng and not for the fortune and fame.

Dming the past season it looked as though McGwire would retire. He batted with a meager .187 average and only belted in 29 home runs this season. Troubled with an injury to his right knee in the 2000 season, the former single-season home run king said that he is not able to perform at a level equal to what the Cardinals organization would be paying him. McGwire did agree to a $30million,two-year extension to his previous deal in spring training; however he never did sign it.

The Montreal Expos originally drafted him on June 8, 1981, but he did not sign. Drafted on lune 4, 1984, by The Oakland Ns, he would help lead the team to success. McGwire began his career with the Oakland Athletics in 1986. He was part of the championship team in 1989, and he has reached the playoffs six times in his career. He was one of the most powerful homerun hitters.

McGwire will be remembered in the record books even though Bonds has broken McGwire's most prestigious record. Some of the records that McGwire has attained throughout his years in baseball include: the major league record for most homeruns by a first basemen with 507, most consecutive seasons with 50 or more home runs (1996-1999), and he holds the record for the most consecutive home runs in consecutive seasons with 135.