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Originally Posted by dynaboyj
Mark McGwire could hit home runs before steroids?  Tell me more about this version's McGwire. |
Yep, Mr. Androstenedione was a true power hitter from his rookie season in 1986 through his last "full" season in 1995 before becoming a pinch hitter type for his final two seasons with the Rockies.
Mark was drafted by the Expos and blasted 36 homers in his rookie season for Montreal, but he was only getting started as his sophomore season saw him knocking on the all time single season homer record before falling one short at 61 while getting voted to the first of four All Star appearances.
McGwire averaged 42 homers per full season for the Expos before being traded to the Indians during his 6th season along with Jeff Conine for Rich Dauer. Not real sure what the Expos front office was thinking with that move.
Mark didn't re-sign with the Indians, but instead became a fixture in the middle of the Toronto lineup for the next four seasons, only missing 5 games combined in his first three seasons in his other Canadian stop, again averaging over 40 homers per year, highlighted by 55 taters and 148 rbi in the 1994 season.
1995 saw the breakdown of McGwire begin as he missed a quarter of the season due to various ailments. After Toronto released him, he was reduced to a bit player where he was finally a member of a championship team with the Rockies in 1997.
Big Mac bombed 388 homers and knocked in 1063 rbi in his 12 seasons while compiling a lifetime .243/.342/.503. All in all a pretty decent career, but on the outside looking in as far as the HOF goes.