High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1998 Major League Baseball home run chase in Major League Baseball was the race between first baseman Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and right fielder Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs that resulted in both players breaking Roger Maris`s long-standing and highly coveted record of 61 home runs. McGwire broke Maris`s record on September 8 against the Cubs and finished with 70 home runs. Sosa finished with 66.