Final answer:
In 1998, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa raced to break Roger Maris's record of 61 home runs set in 1961. Despite Babe Ruth's previous record of 60 home runs in 1927, it was Maris's accomplishment that they chased, with McGwire setting a new record of 70.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1998, there was a historic race in Major League Baseball that captured the nation's attention. The St. Louis Cardinals' Mark McGwire and the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa were both vying to break the single-season home run record. This record was held by legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, who hit a stunning 60 home runs in the 1927 season. Despite Babe Ruth's place in baseball history as a one-of-a-kind player with seemingly unbreakable records, it was another player's record that McGwire and Sosa were challenging in 1998. The record they sought to surpass was the 61 home runs hit by Roger Maris in 1961. The nation watched with bated breath as both men broke the long-standing record, with McGwire ultimately setting a new mark at 70 home runs, and Sosa following close behind with 66.