Back in 1998 baseball got what it desperately needed as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were in a battle that saw them bring back fans' interest to the sport after the premature ending to the 1994 season that saw a major strike.
Both Sosa and McGwire were attempting to break Roger Maris' league record of 61 Home Runs while playing for the New York Yankees. Here's a run down of the epic rivalry:
Both McGwire and Sosa had already established themselves as power batters as both hit 30+ Home Runs every season. since '94. McGwire the elder of the two hit 58 in 1997.
McGwire played for the St. Louis Cardinals having moved from the Oakland A's for the twilight of his career whereas Sosa had joined the Cubs setting up a direct competition in the National League.
Mark McGwire had taken an early lead and consolidated a 25-10 lead. Sosa pulled it back in the next few months with both players matched at 55 in August.
While playing against Sosa's Cubs itself, McGwire hit the 62nd Home Run to go past Roger Maris' record. He would end up with 70 as Sosa would end with 66.
The Home Run chase created a much needed buzz that was missing from the sport. Channels would stop any other games and focus on both players when they went for an at-bat. Viewership ratings increased massively.
After much suspicion high profile hitters were summoned in a congressional hearing after which they admitted to using PEDs in various manners.
The 1998 Home Run Chase was very much needed for the MLB to win back their fans that were lost.