By Jonah Sharf
On August 14, 1987 Oakland A’s rookie Mark McGwire set the record for most home runs by a rookie with his 39th home run of the season, and would finish the year with 49. His rookie record stood for 30 years until Aaron Judge broke it in 2017, finishing his rookie season with 52 home runs for the New York Yankees. McGwire would go on to set several home run records throughout his career, including during his legendary home run record chase in which he faced off against Sammy Sosa in 1998 to beat Roger Maris’ single season home run record, finishing that season with 70. While this record was also eventually broken, McGwire’s career and home run hitting, along with some of his home run-hitting rivals, is credited by many as having brought countless old and new fans to the game.