Race for the Record: 1998's Race to Break Baseball's Most Coveted Record

This, however, is not just a documentary of hit after monstrous hit: intermingled throughout are touching interviews with the sons of Roger Maris, the teammates of both Sosa and McGwire, and an insightful moment with former Yankee Mickey Mantle. For those who have a love or even a passing interest in this sport, they will be moved to see what humble appreciation both players and managers have for the magical history for the game of baseball. This in itself puts into perspective what was achieved by these two heroes and ambassadors for our time, two men who remind you what sport and competition should be all about: the love of the game. --Jeremy Storey

This video contains thrilling Sosa and McGwire home runs, as well as testimonials from other major leaguers and sports columnists. It also shows Sosa and McGwire in their early days, from McGwire's rookie record 49 home runs to a noticeably thinner Sosa connecting off of Roger Clemens for his first career home run. The video also shows the great Maris-Ruth battle and the struggles Maris went through while chasing the Babe. Testimonials from the Maris family make this video enjoyable, too.

Perhaps the best part of the video is the relationship formed by McGwire and Sosa. These two sluggers genuinely liked and rooted for each other to succeed. There are several clips of joint press conferences shared by them, as well as Sosa running in from right field to congratulate McGwire after his record breaking 62nd home run. This video is a must for baseball fans and will bring excitement each time it is watched.


A Grand Slam!   March 16, 2002
The unfogettable 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire (70 HR) and Sammy Sosa (66 HR) is superbly presented in this special documentary from MLB Home Video. It comprehensively follows the two endearing sluggers' epic and inexorable march toward the hollowed record, almost home run for home run, and pays homage to the man whose record they broke (Roger Maris 61 HR in 1961), along the way. "Race for the Record" features plenty of spectacular home run footage, interviews and fluid narration. The "Slammin' Sammy" music video is also fun to watch. The entire video is like a how-to guide on making a sports documentary. It was just too short. Even though Big Mac's incredible mark of 70 home runs has since been surpassed by Barry Bonds (73 HR in 2001), the storybook-like seasons of McGwire/Sosa in 1998 live on, and this video is the perfect tribute. 70/66


"Race for the Record" Captures the Spirit of the 1998 Season   January 7, 2002
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Baseball was still struggling from the aftershock of the strike that shortened the season in 1994. Fans were slowly but surely coming back, but the "love of the game" was seemingly lost amid all the high-dollar contracts and bad-mouthing players. Baseball seemed to have lost some of its magic for good.

And then 1998 happened. And two guys, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, almost single-handedly made a nation fall in love with the game of baseball all over again.

"Race for the Record" details point-by-point the events that transpired during the homerun race of 1998. It focuses on early contenders like Ken Griffey, Jr. and Vinny Castilla, and then quickly shines the light on Big Mac and Slammin' Sammy.

Interwoven with all the hoopla surrounding the homerun race are interviews with teammates, managers, former players, and even the children of Roger Maris. They all give their insight on the season that was and what it felt like to be a part of it. The homerun race in 1961 between Maris and Mickey Mantle is touched upon here, as well.

The video climaxes, of course, with Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa doing the unthinkable. I found myself getting choked up at the accomplishments of these two superhuman sluggers. One thing that McGwire and Sosa had in 1998 that I don't think Barry Bonds had a lot of in 2001 is that people cared about the homerun race. They wanted to see two genuinely nice guys, who had also forged a close friendship over the course of the season, break the record. America wanted to embrace a new Homerun King. It's evident in the endless curtain calls each man received and how each man was treated warmly in every ballpark they played in.

"Race for the Record" is a dazzling review of the season that was in 1998. Any baseball fan should have this video sitting on his/her shelf. It reminded me once again why I have and always will love the game of baseball. When it's good, it's the greatest.