The letter “I” on the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium is knocked out by Albert Pujols’s first-inning blast off Sean Marshall

The letter “I” on the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium is knocked out by Albert Pujols’s first-inning blast off Sean Marshall

ByThis Day in Baseball

The letter “I” on the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium is knocked out by Albert Pujols’s first-inning blast off Sean Marshall in the Cardinals’ 3-1 victory over Chicago. During any game, if a Cardinal player hits a home run into Big Mac Land, built in the left field stands (section 272) as a tribute to Mark McGwire, everyone at the game is entitled to redeem their ticket for a free Big Mac at all participating restaurants in the fast food chain.

During more than 11 hours of hearings by the Committee on Government Reform concerning major league players’ use of steroids, Mark McGwire refuses to talk about the past and does not deny taking performance enhancing drugs. Other players testifying include Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and former big leaguer Jose Canseco, whose recent book, Juiced, prompted the congressional hearing. Palmeiro will be found guilty of steroid usage later this year.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2005 – During more than 11 hours of hearings by the Committee on Government Reform concerning major league players’ use of steroids, Mark McGwire refuses to talk about the past and does not deny taking performance enhancing drugs. Other players testifying include Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and former big leaguer Jose Canseco, whose recent book, Juiced, prompted the congressional hearing. Palmeiro will be found guilty of steroid usage later this year.

Jose canseco Mark mcgwire

Jose Canseco’s controversial book, Juiced, is made available

ByTom

Jose Canseco’s controversial book, Juiced, is made available in selected markets in anticipation of his appearance on CBS’s Sixty Minutes. The self-proclaimed godfather of the steroids in baseball alleges Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Ivan Rodriguez all used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Bobby Crosby wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Receiving 27 of 28 first-place votes, Bobby Crosby (.239, 22, 64) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Oakland shortstop, who is the son of former big leaguer infielder Ed Crosby, joins Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998) as the sixth A’s freshman to be honored by the BBWAA.

Filling the void created by Mark McGwire’s unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Filling the void created by Mark McGwire’s unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.

St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he plans to retire, ending his 16-year big league career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the Cardinals had offered.

ByThis Day in Baseball

St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he plans to retire, ending his 16-year big league career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the Cardinals had offered.

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In the longest nine-inning game in major league history, Barry Bonds breaks and then extends the mark for home runs in a season during the 4 hours and 27 minutes, 11-10 loss to the Dodgers at Pac Bell Park. The Giant outfielder connects off Dodger starter Chan Ho Park to break Mark McGwire’s 1998 record of 70 and then homers again in his next at-bat to extend his record to 72.

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun
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Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun

ByThis Day in Baseball

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record established three years ago as he hits his 70th round-tripper. The historic homer, a shot to right-center at Enron Field, is given up in the ninth inning by Astro rookie hurler Wilfredo Rodriguez in a Giant 10-2 victory.

On a night he hits his 68th round-tripper of the season in quest of Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record, Barry Bonds is walked for the 163rd time, breaking ‘Big Mac’s’ 1998 National League record for bases on balls. The major league record is 170 walks held by Babe Ruth.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On a night he hits his 68th round-tripper of the season in quest of Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record, Barry Bonds is walked for the 163rd time, breaking ‘Big Mac’s’ 1998 National League record for bases on balls. The major league record is 170 walks held by Babe Ruth.

2001 – The Cardinals shut out the Brewers, 8 – 0, as Darryl Kile pitches six innings for the win. Mark McGwire hits his 24th homer. Jamey Wright is the loser and also fails to plunk any batters, ending his possible major-league record of hitting a batter in 10 straight games.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – The Cardinals shut out the Brewers, 8 – 0, as Darryl Kile pitches six innings for the win. Mark McGwire hits his 24th homer. Jamey Wright is the loser and also fails to plunk any batters, ending his possible major-league record of hitting a batter in 10 straight games.