BBC SPORT | US SPORT | Cards lose their ace

BBC Sport Online's Kevin Asseo looks back on the career of baseball's Mark McGwire, an unrivalled power-hitter and one of the sport's greatest ambassadors.

It is not uncommon to hear someone describe an athlete by saying "one day, you will brag to your grandkids about seeing that person play."

More often than not, that may be an overstating things a bit.

But when it comes to Mark McGwire, that statement is not a hyperbole.

When "Big Mac" quietly announced his retirement from the St Louis Cardinals in a faxed statement to cable TV network ESPN on Sunday, baseball lost possibly its greatest-ever home run hitter.

All-time home run hitters list

Hank Aaron - 755

Babe Ruth - 714

Willie Mays - 660

Frank Robinson - 586

Mark McGwire - 583

The term "slugger" could have been invented solely to describe McGwire. That is what he was - a pure slugger.

It would be unfair to call McGwire a one-dimensional player, for there were several things he did well on the baseball diamond.

He was good defensively, decent at hitting for average, and a smart player as well.

But there was one thing at which he was truly superb - hitting the ball hard and hitting it far.

He finishes his career at fifth place on the all-time home run list with a total of 583 round-trippers.

Astonishing

The only names ahead of McGwire on the list are those of four of the best players of all-time - Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson.

Those four may be considered better all-around players than Big Mac, but speaking strictly in terms of power hitting, McGwire is equal to or better than all of them.

Babe Ruth still tops the home run hitters list
Had it not been for the numerous injuries McGwire suffered throughout his career, he most likely would have joined Aaron and Ruth as only the third man to reach the 700-HR plateau.

McGwire played more than 100 games in a season only 11 times, as compared to Aaron's 23 times and Ruth's 15, leaving him thousands of at-bats short of both men.

When he was able to play injury-free baseball, McGwire's talent was astonishing.

He will forever be remembered for the magical 1998 season.

His chase of Roger Maris's 37-year-old single-season home run record captivated the nation as few sporting pursuits ever have.

At a time when interest in baseball was at a low point, McGwire brought the sport back into the spotlight.

Shattered

As he got closer and closer to Maris, each of McGwire's at-bats was shown live on national TV. And it was not just baseball fans who would stop and watch, it was everyone.

When all was said and done that year, he had hit 70 home runs, shattering Maris's mark by nine, and cementing his place in baseball legend.

Barry Bonds
Bonds broke McGwire's record this season
Although Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs in the 2001 season, it has not taken the shine off McGwire's accomplishment in 1998.

Throughout his entire career, McGwire remained the same person he was when he entered the league.

Shy, unassuming and embarrassed to discuss his personal exploits, preferring to talk about the performance of his team as a whole.

McGwire has irked some people in the Cardinals' organisation by announcing his retirement through the media rather than the team, but it is a fitting way for him to go out.

While fellow superstars Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken retired this year among fanfare and flashbulbs, McGwire issued a humble written statement while vacationing in Mexico.

He left his achievements to do the talking for him.


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