Key figures talk about the Mark McGwire home-run record chase in 1998:


THAT WAS THEN


The Maris family became an emotional part of Mark McGwire’s pursuit of the 37-year-old single-season home run record.

The family first met McGwire at Turner Field as the Cardinals played the Atlanta Braves. They then followed the Cardinals home to witness McGwire’s record-tying home run off Cubs pitcher Mike Morgan and his record-breaker off Steve Trachsel.
Kevin Maris sat with his five brothers and sisters in a first-base box on Sept. 7 when McGwire hit No. 61. But the next day Kevin missed the start of the game — and McGwire’s record-breaker — to stay with his mother, Pat, who was hospitalized the day before with heart arrhythmia.

At his mom’s insistence, Kevin arrived at Busch Stadium during the seventh inning and became part of the post-game celebration.

“We were happy to see Mark get the positive response from the media and fans,” Kevin said. “When Dad (Roger Maris) did it, he wasn’t able to appreciate that. He didn’t have the same kind of positive support. Mark didn’t have to go through the same type of grind. Dad wouldn’t have wished that on anybody. It can pretty much grind on an individual. The country got behind Mark. So did the media.”

Kevin Maris was 1 when his father endured incessant fan and media criticism for running down Babe Ruth’s single-season record, a number most in New York believed should have been surpassed only by Maris’ more charismatic teammate, Mickey Mantle.

When his father’s record fell, Kevin watched the moment on television.

“I wasn’t there when he hit it,” he said. “I wasn’t in the stands. I was with my mom. I was the only one of my brothers and sisters not able to go. But seeing No. 61 was more meaningful to me. After Mark did that, I wanted my sister Susan to experience it the next night. She went and he ended up hitting No. 62. I did end up going to the stadium because Mom wanted me to be part of the celebration. She didn’t want anyone to know (she was hospitalized) because she didn’t want to distract from Mark’s day.”

After the game, the Maris family was escorted into the Cardinals’ clubhouse, where they shared more time with McGwire.

“It was a nice experience, especially with Mark talking to us before and after a couple games,” Kevin said. “Talking to him in the clubhouse that day was special. We were there when he got the call from the president. Mark was very gracious and very respectful.”


THIS IS NOW

Kevin coaches a high school baseball team in Gainesville, Fla. He and McGwire crossed paths again in 2005 during a celebration of the all-time Busch Stadium team, which included Maris as its right fielder.

“Honestly, I didn’t realize it’s been 10 years. It seems like yesterday,” Kevin Maris said recently.

Kevin says his family speaks rarely of the record, perhaps fitting since his father discussed it only when asked first.

In 2005, Maris supported an investigation into claims made by McGwire’s former Oakland teammate, Jose Canseco, into rampant steroid use within the game, but even then referred to McGwire as “a first-class individual.”

“It’s a separate issue for the most part,” Maris said. “What Mark did for us and the family after he hit 62 was really genuine.

"Not many people would have done what he did. He had such great respect for what Dad went through. He had gotten close three or four times. He had such an appreciation. I’m not sure many guys in today’s game have that kind of knowledge.”