Summer of Sammy: Sosa's 44th homer in 1998

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It's the 20th anniversary of the Summer of Sammy, when Sosa and Mark McGwire went toe-to-toe in one of the most exciting seasons in American sports history chasing after Roger Maris' home run record. All year, we're going to go homer-by-homer on Sosa's 66 longballs, with highlights and info about each. Enjoy.

Sosa's 44th homer of 1998, but it came in vain.

He hit a two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning off Cardinals closer Rich Croushore to tie the ballgame at 5 and send it into extras.

The Cubs wound up losing the game 9-8 in a wild, seesaw affair. They scored twice in the top of the 11th, but Rod Beck gave that lead right back to the Cardinals. Sosa singled home a run in the top of the 12, but Beck once again gave it.

In the bottom of the 13th, Cubs reliever Dave Stevens finally ended the game as he gave up a single to Ray Lankford with the bases loaded.

Fun fact: Mark McGwire also homered in the game, his 46th blast of the year to stay ahead of Sosa. The Cubs pitching staff also walked McGwire four times throughout the game.

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