For the second year in a row, both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa surpassed the 60-homer plateau, with McGwire again leading the league. But neither slugger could lead his team into the postseason; instead the Arizona Diamondbacks won their division in only their second season of existence, and the New York Mets made the playoffs for the first time in a decade. But the Atlanta Braves, powered by MVP third baseman Chipper Jones, won the pennant, only to be destroyed in the World Series by the Yankees.

         McGwire's home runs gave him an average of 61 over a four-year span; he was 35 years old this season, and was forced to retire by age and injuries a couple of years later. His career had more than its share of ups-and-downs; he started strong in 1987, setting a rookie record with 49 home runs, then won a World Series two years later. Then came a swift and stunning decline, and his career bottomed out with a .201 batting average in 1991. He then made a brief comeback, only to miss almost two full seasons with a heel injury.
        The final phase of McGwire's career was both wonderful and improbable; he overcame his injury problems to become baseball's most prolific home run hitter, setting a new single-season record and also becoming one of the most popular players in the game. His glory years were not without controversy; during his record-breaking season in 1998, steroids were discovered in his locker. But this revelation failed to diminish Big Mac's popularity, in large part because McGwire made no effort to conceal the contents of his medicine cabinet.
        McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs, an amazing total for a player who played only a dozen full seasons. Some of his other numbers — a .263 average, just over 1600 hits — don't look so impressive, but McGwire will go to the Hall Of Fame, thanks to the tremendous power surge he had late in his career.
        This season, McGwire again some some big power numbers, and merits consideration for the MVP. He's a strong candidate, but I prefer another great first baseman, Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell had another outstanding season for the Houston Astros this year, despite playing in the unfriendly confines of the Astrodome. Of his 42 home runs this year, 30 came on the road, only 12 at home. Apart from hitting home runs, Bagwell did almost everything better than McGwire, including playing in every game, batting .300, stealing 30 bases, and leading the Astros to a division title.
        Sammy Sosa had pretty much the exact same season he had in 1998. Sammy was twice traded when he was young; first, the Rangers dealt him to the White Sox for Harold Baines in 1989, when Sosa was only 20. After three seasons, Sosa was struggling to keep his average above the Mendoza Line, so the Sox dealt him across town in exchange for George Bell. Just another example that, when it comes to young players, patience can be a virtue.
        Since his monster 1998 season, Sosa's game has changed in more ways than one. There were the home runs, of course, but he also hit for higher batting averages, and also drew far more walks than he ever had in the past. Sosa, of course, plays in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field; earlier in his career, he hit quite a few more home runs at home than on the road. But that has also changed; of his 128 homers hit from 1998-99, 68 were hit at home, 61, on the road.
         Chipper Jones was a super-prospect when he joined the Braves, and has made good on his promise. His career began with a broken leg in 1994, but he rebounded and was Rookie Of The Year in 1995, when the Braves won the World Series. Since then he has gotten better every year; a switch-hitter, Jones hit for average and drew walks and had awesome power, and was caught only three times as a base stealer. He had one of the best years ever by a third baseman, and deserved the MVP Award. He turns 30 in 2002, and should have many more outstanding seasons ahead of him.
        Jones wasn't the only great third sacker in the league; two veterans, Matt Williams and Robin Ventura, had outstanding seasons. Ventura debuted with the White Sox in 1989, and quickly established himself as both a good hitter and a brilliant defensive player. Ventura hit his peak in 1996, then in 1997 he too broke his leg and missed most of the season. He came back to play well; this year was his first in New York, and he had another MVP-calibre year, leading the Mets into the playoffs. Ventura now has over 200 homers in his career, and ranks among the best third sackers of his generation.
        The late 1990's saw middle infielders muscle up like they never had before. Jay Bell began his career as a light-hitting shortstop in 1986 in Cleveland, then later moved to Pittsburgh. From 1990-91, Bell laid down a total of 69 sacrifice bunts, by far the most in the league. Bell developed as a hitter, and also won a Gold Glove at short, and quietly became won of the better players of the decade.
        This year, he was quiet no longer, smashing 38 home runs! Bell, Williams and Luis Gonzalez were all veteran players who had big seasons, and led the Diamondbacks into the playoffs. All three were MVP candidates, as were Ventura and Edgardo Alfonzo and Mike Piazza, who all played for the Mets. And Bagwell and Craig Biggio led Houston into the playoffs. Sean Casey and Barry Larkin led Cincinnati into a wild-card tie with the Mets... well, I have to choose someone. I think Jones and Bagwell were the best; then I will take the man with the giant forearms, McGwire, and the Mets' big man behind the plate, Piazza.