<Dl> <Dd> After an epic battle between McGwire and Ken Griffey, Jr., who both got into the 50s in 1997, many expected the two to take on Maris in 1998 . However, the player that competed for the record with McGwire in 1998 was Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who propelled himself into the race with a record - setting 20 home runs that June . He would finish with 66 that season and actually led McGwire for approximately 45 minutes after hitting his 66th, until McGwire hit his own 66th, and four more in his final three games of the season . McGwire broke the old records in 144 games--fewer than even the old 154 game season . That removed season - length as a source of "asterisk" controversy, but McGwire's connection to the steroid scandal introduced a new call for asterisks on this and other records set in this era . On January 11, 2010 McGwire admitted using steroids during the 1998 season . McGwire claimed to use steroids to help heal an ailing body and denied they helped him to hit a baseball . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> After an epic battle between McGwire and Ken Griffey, Jr., who both got into the 50s in 1997, many expected the two to take on Maris in 1998 . However, the player that competed for the record with McGwire in 1998 was Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who propelled himself into the race with a record - setting 20 home runs that June . He would finish with 66 that season and actually led McGwire for approximately 45 minutes after hitting his 66th, until McGwire hit his own 66th, and four more in his final three games of the season . McGwire broke the old records in 144 games--fewer than even the old 154 game season . That removed season - length as a source of "asterisk" controversy, but McGwire's connection to the steroid scandal introduced a new call for asterisks on this and other records set in this era . On January 11, 2010 McGwire admitted using steroids during the 1998 season . McGwire claimed to use steroids to help heal an ailing body and denied they helped him to hit a baseball . </Dd> <Dl> <Dd> 73, by Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants (NL), 2001 (162 game schedule) <Dl> <Dd> In part due to 9 / 11 terrorist attacks, the then - recently set record of only three years by McGwire, and Bonds' poor relationship with the media and some fans, Bonds' record setting was not as publicized as the previous chases . Bonds was initially chased closely by Sosa and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Gonzalez faded late and finished with 57, while Sosa finished closer with 64 to become the first player to exceed 60 home runs in three separate seasons . McGwire was not a factor during what would be his final major league season, as the injuries that had plagued him for much of his career finally took their toll, although he still hit at a pace that would have put him near 50 if he had played a full season . Bonds' slugging percentage of . 863 broke the major league record set by Ruth in 1920 . As happened with McGwire's record, Bonds' connection to steroids resulted in his being among the accomplishments questioned in the era . </Dd> </Dl> </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> 73, by Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants (NL), 2001 (162 game schedule) <Dl> <Dd> In part due to 9 / 11 terrorist attacks, the then - recently set record of only three years by McGwire, and Bonds' poor relationship with the media and some fans, Bonds' record setting was not as publicized as the previous chases . Bonds was initially chased closely by Sosa and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Gonzalez faded late and finished with 57, while Sosa finished closer with 64 to become the first player to exceed 60 home runs in three separate seasons . McGwire was not a factor during what would be his final major league season, as the injuries that had plagued him for much of his career finally took their toll, although he still hit at a pace that would have put him near 50 if he had played a full season . Bonds' slugging percentage of . 863 broke the major league record set by Ruth in 1920 . As happened with McGwire's record, Bonds' connection to steroids resulted in his being among the accomplishments questioned in the era . </Dd> </Dl> </Dd>

Who hold the mlb single season homerun record