At the end of the 1998 season, after the most explosive home run race in the history of major league baseball, Mark McGwire emerged as the all-time single season leader with 70 home runs. The previous record of 61, held for 37 years by Roger Maris, was also surpassed by Sammy Sosa who finished the 1998 season with 66 home runs. McGwire's record wouldn't last long however. Just three years later, Barry Bonds finished the 2001 season with 73 homers.