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


THAT WAS THEN

As Mark McGwire triumphantly toured the bases after homer No. 62, Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel stood at the back of the mound and glared.

“Obviously, I wasn’t too happy about it,’’ Trachsel said.

Trachsel’s displeasure had nothing to do with gaining an ignominious spot in baseball history. He was more concerned about the game.

The Cubs, competing for the National League wild-card spot, gave Trachsel a 2-0 lead before his first pitch. McGwire’s homer, on a badly placed fastball in the fourth inning, cut a run off the advantage.

“My whole focus was to get a win,’’ Trachsel said. “It was hard to dismiss (McGwire’s homer) because of what went on afterward. We were winning, but all of the sudden there was a big change in momentum.’’

It was the beginning of the end for Trachsel. He gave up five more runs in the sixth and took the loss in a 6-3 defeat.

McGwire received an intentional walk in the sixth and scored on Ray Lankford’s three-run homer. Ron Gant followed with a homer that knocked out Trachsel.

“I was disappointed that we lost the game,’’ Trachsel said. “The (McGwire) homer was nothing new. I gave up lots of homers.’’


THIS IS NOW

According to Trachsel, the subject of McGwire’s landmark home run rarely arises and is usually brought up only by nosy reporters.

“It was a big story for a day or two, but then he got to 70,’’ Trachsel said. “And then Barry (Bonds) hit 73, so it was old news. I can go a whole year without anybody asking me about it.’’

Trachsel was outspoken against the use of performance-enhancing substances and welcomed the introduction of steroids testing. Despite that stance and the questions that have dogged McGwire, Trachsel did not belittle his former opponent.

“Honestly, I really don’t feel any differently,’’ Trachsel said. “I’ve met Mark a couple of times but don’t know him well, but I do like him.’’

Trachsel won 15 games in 1998, with the final victory coming in a one-game playoff with San Francisco that put the Cubs into the playoffs as the wild card.

Trachsel has 143 wins and one All-Star appearance in a 16-year career that may have ended last month when Baltimore released him. If that was it, Trachsel will leave with the reminder of “there’s more to my career than one home run.’’