Tsn Honors Cards’ Mcgwire

Mark McGwire, whose 58 homers were the most in the major leagues since 1961, was selected Wednesday as The Sporting News’ 1997 Sportsman of the Year.

McGwire, traded from the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31, joined Babe Ruth as the only players to hit 50 or more homers in consecutive seasons.

“The quantity and sheer power of Mark’s home runs have put him in a class of his own,” TSN president James Nuckols said.

McGwire sounded surprised.

“You see it as a child growing up, some of the figures get labeled sportsman of the year, and I don’t think that I have ever put myself in that category,” he said.