Mark David McGwire
- Born:
- October 1, 1963, Pomona, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Professional Baseball Player, Baseball Coach
Early Life and Education
- Attended Damien High School in La Verne, California.
- Played baseball at the University of Southern California (USC).
Career and Major Achievements
- Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (13th overall) of the 1984 MLB draft.
- MLB debut in 1986 with the Oakland Athletics.
- 12-time All-Star (1987-1992, 1995-2000).
- 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1992, 1996, 1998).
- AL Rookie of the Year (1987).
- Led the American League in home runs four times (1992, 1996, 1998, 1999).
- Played for the Oakland Athletics (1986-1997) and St. Louis Cardinals (1997-2001).
- In 1998, engaged in a highly publicized chase with Sammy Sosa to break the single-season home run record, ultimately hitting 70 home runs.
- Served as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals (2010-2012) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2013-2015).
- Served as bench coach for the San Diego Padres (2016-2018).
Notable Works
- Autobiography: Mark McGwire: The Long Shot (with Gerry Fraley, 1999)
Legacy and Impact
Mark McGwire's career, particularly his participation in the 1998 season where he broke Roger Maris' longstanding single-season home run record, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with the "steroid era" of baseball. The 'mark mcgwire home run record' chase captivated the nation, but subsequent admissions regarding performance-enhancing drug use have shaped the overall perception of his achievements.