Date of Birth: October 1, 1963
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
Mark McGwire, also known as “Big Mac,” is a retired American professional baseball player and coach, widely regarded as one of the most powerful hitters in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Pomona, California, McGwire’s professional career began when he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 1984 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 1986. McGwire quickly established himself as a formidable power hitter, earning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1987 after hitting a then-record 49 home runs for a rookie. McGwire played for the Oakland Athletics until 1997 when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was with the Cardinals that he achieved his most remarkable feat: breaking Roger Maris’s long-standing single-season home run record by hitting 70 home runs in 1998. This record was later surpassed by Barry Bonds, but McGwire’s achievement remains one of the most memorable moments in baseball history. After retiring from playing in 2001, McGwire admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career, which cast a shadow over his accomplishments. Nonetheless, he returned to the sport as a hitting coach for both the St. Louis Cardinals and later the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning respect for his coaching abilities.
5 Interesting Facts about Mark McGwire
1. Mark McGwire hit a then-record 70 home runs in the 1998 season, breaking Roger Maris’s record of 61 home runs set in 1961.
2. He was a part of the “Bash Brothers” duo with Jose Canseco during his time with the Oakland Athletics.
3. McGwire won the World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989.
4. He was a 12-time MLB All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award in 1990.
5. McGwire’s single-season home run record was broken by Barry Bonds in 2001 when Bonds hit 73 home runs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mark McGwire
1. “I am not here to talk about the past.”
2. “The only reason I took steroids was for my health purposes. I did not take steroids to get any gain for any strength purposes.”
3. “I’m a power hitter. It’s what I do.”
4. “The most important thing is to stay positive.”
5. “I believe in the game. I believe in the purity of the game.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth Mark McGwire achieved is estimated to be around $60 million.
Children
Mark McGwire has five children: Matthew, Max, Mason, Monet, and Marlo. He has three sons and two daughters with his second wife, Stephanie Slemer.
Relevant Links
1. [Mark McGwire Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McGwire
2. [Mark McGwire MLB Profile](https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-mcgwire-118365
3. [Mark McGwire Hall of Fame Stats](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgwima01.shtml
4. [Mark McGwire ESPN Profile](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/1100/mark-mcgwire
5. [Mark McGwire Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mark-McGwire
