Mark    

Good-Bye Big Mac!  It's been unbelievable!!!

It's going to be hard to go to a Cardinals game or watch them on TV next year without thinking about they last four seasons.  The anticipation and excitement of each McGwire plate appearance will be greatly missed.  The getting to the ballpark way early just to see him crank a few into the cheap seats.   The staying the entire game (which I always do anyway) just hoping the Big Man would get one more chance.   The whole way Cardinals fans approach a game will change.   But WOW,  I wouldn't give up the past four years for anything, would you!!!!

Thank you St. Louis Cardinals for trying to make a better team around Mark, and thank you Mark McGwire for putting life back into baseball!!!

When I first heard Mark had made it official, I couldn't believe it...  Here is a man who is 17 home runs away from 600 and absolute baseball immortality (with Aaron, Ruth and Mays) and he throws in the towel?!?!?!  However, that's the kind of person he is and looking back on it what else would we expect?  He gave to baseball and its fans all he had and when he thought he didn't have anything more, he said good-bye.  What else is there is say.

McGwire Retires (Sports Illustrated)

McGwire "by the numbers"  (Sports Illustrated "Statitudes")

McGwire Retires (MLB)

McGwire's Retirement Statement

"Last January, Mr. DeWitt and I verbally agreed on a generous two-year contract extension from the Cardinal organization.  

After considerable discussion with those closest to me, I have decided not to sign the extension, as I am unable to perform at a level equal to the salary the organization would be paying me.  I believe I owe it to the Cardinals and the fans of  St. Louis to step aside, so a talented free agent can be brought in as the final piece of what I expect can be a World Championship-caliber team.

So, I am walking away from the game that has provided me opportunities, experiences, memories and friendships to fill 10 lifetimes.

For years I have said my motivation for playing wasn't for fame and fortune, but rather the love of competing.  Baseball is a team sport and I have been lucky enough to contribute to the success of some great teams.

I want to thank the St. Louis Cardinal organization, Mr. DeWitt, Mr. Jocketty, Tony La Russa and the thousands of Cardinal faithful for making St. Louis home for the past four years.  I want to thank the Oakland A's and all of the fans in California for giving me my start, and the millions of baseball fans around the world who have inspired me to compete night in and night out."

Although Mark was only with the Cardinals for a few years, he made his presence known in an unbelievable way.  He has caused as much excitement in the past couple of years as if the Cards had won the World Series.  When Mark swings the bat, the camera flashes are something to see.  He has almost single handedly made baseball the national pastime once again and his humble attitude has won the hearts of all baseball fans!

"This is a season that I will never, ever forget, and I hope everybody in baseball never forgets.  Thank you."   -- Mark McGwire

"I don't know if I want to break my own record.  I think I would rather just leave it as is."  -- Mark McGwire

"I don't play the game for records. I play the game because I love it.  It just happens to be a milestone."   -- Mark McGwire

MLB Career Home Run Leaders     McGwire Home Runs/year

 

The Sporting News has ranked Mark number 91 in their list of the top 100 greatest players of all time!!!!

 

       

            

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Career Highlights

• Fewest games to reach 20 HRs. (35, 2000)
• Ranks 7th on all-time slugging percentage list (.587)
• Second player ever to hit 60 HRs in two straight seasons.   (1998,99)
• Third player in ML history to lead both leagues in HRs. (AL in 1987 and 96, NL in 98)
• One of three to hit 200 HRs in each league.  (Frank Robinson & Fred McGriff)
• First player in ML history to hit at least 50 HRs in four straight seasons.  (1996,97,98,99)
• Fastest player to hit 500 home runs. - 5,487 at bats   (Ruth did it in 5,801 at bats)
• Single season Home Run leader - 70 (1998)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsmen of the Year (1998, shared with Sammy Sosa)
• Presented with the prestigious St. Louis Award. (1998)
• Ties Willie Mays' ML record for most consecutive games homered in (4) to start a season.
• 400 HRs in fewest at-bats - (4,726) in ML history.
• First player to hit 25 HRs before May 31st.   (1998)
• Ties Reggie Jackson's ML record for most HRs before the All-Star break. (37 - 1998)
• Hits 40 homers in 281 at-bats. (1998)
• Breaks Hack Wilson's NL record for most HRs before Sept. 1 (1998)
• First player in ML history to hit at least 50 HRs in three straight seasons.  (1996,97,98)
• Hits 50 homers in 390 at-bats. (1998)
• 1987 Rookie of the Year
• From 1995 to 2000, amassed 316 homers and just 308 singles.
• Career HR/AB ratio of 10.6.

Career Stats:(as of 10/1/01)

Season totals listed in red denote the player led the entire ML in that category.

They said it:

"It was an awesome baseball moment... Opening Day, bases loaded, the star -- the modern day Babe Ruth -- comes up and hits a grand slam." -- Cardinals ex-third baseman Gary Gaetti commenting on Opening Day, 1998.

"He's like an amusement park ride, even for guys who play." -- Phillies outfielder Ruben Amaro.

"He crushed it.  He has the power of three men.  I've never faced anybody like him.  He's a man among boys."   -- Brewers pitcher Paul Wagner

"I regretted throwing the pitch as soon as I saw where it was going."  -- Giants pitcher John Johnstone, who surrendered McGwire's 477-foot bomb. (#23, May 23rd, 1998)

"People will be wondering if they did that with Babe Ruth." --  Giants pitcher Orel Hershiser, who said Manager Dusty Baker "made a legend" of McGwire by having him intentionally walked with two outs and nobody on base in the 14th inning.

"He makes a place electric.  Fans jump to their feet just to see him hit one.  Players also, but not the opposing manager." -- White Sox Manager Jerry Manuel

"We weren't going to walk him.  We were trying to get him out.  We want to develop men and players here.  We don't want to develop cowards." -- Montreal Manager Felipe Alou

"We want him to finish his career in St. Louis, hit his 500th home run in St. Louis, hit 61 in a season here, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Cardinal" -- General Manager Walt Jocketty

"This is beautiful.  It's like a fairy tale.  Even more exciting than the World Series."  -  Stan "The Man" Musial

Mark's links:

CNNsi -- 1998 review (great site!)

Time's 1998 Hero of the Year

Gumby's Mark McGwire Online

Baseball Library

The Baseball Page

Baseball Reference

Baseball Almanac

ESPN Classic

 

       

 

       

 

 

Sources:

   -  St. Louis Cardinals 1999 Yearbook

   -  St. Louis Cardinal Gameday Magazine, "Official Commemorative Edition"

   -  Legends Sports Memorabilia Magazine, Vol. 10, #4

(This site is in no way affiliated or sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals or Major League Baseball and is intended to be used for non-commercial, personal enjoyment.  Although I attempt to be as correct/accurate as possible when giving information in these documents, I make no guarantees as to their accuracy.  Questions/comments may be sent to the address below. Mark Mobley (1999-2008) all rights reserved.  All photos and/or images may be copyrighted by their original owners.)

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Updated: 01/20/08                                Comments? Cardsfan@ford-mobley.com