Editor's note: This article originally appeared on ESPN.com on Sept. 27, 1998.

ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire ended his spectacular season the way he started it, hitting a pair of home runs to reach the formerly unthinkable mark of 70 and powering the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-3 victory over the Montreal Expos.

McGwire went 3-for-3, connecting for a solo shot in the third inning and breaking a 3-3 deadlock with a three-run blast in the seventh. It was his 10th multi-homer game of the season, moved him four in front of Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs and gave him an astounding nine more home runs than Roger Maris' old record.

McGwire's record-shattering season began with a grand slam off Los Angeles' Ramon Martinez on Opening Day, March 31st. He led every day since, getting caught twice by Sosa but coming back on each occasion to regain at least a share of the lead.

The red-headed slugger, almost singlehandedly responsible for the Cardinals' record-breaking attendance of 3,195,021, received the St. Louis Award during postgame ceremonies. The honor is presented annually to the individual who makes the most outstanding contribution or brings the greatest distinction to the metropolitan St. Louis community.

Behind McGwire, the Cardinals clubbed 223 home runs to lead the National League for the first time since 1944. He also drew his 162nd walk, the second-highest total in major-league history.

McGwire went 8-for-15 with five homers in the season-ending four-game series as St. Louis closed with a 19-7 September. At 83-79, the Cards were 10 games better than a year ago.