It’S The Real Million

Thu., July 30, 1998

Coca-Cola Co. is jumping on Mark McGwire mania, placing $1 million in a red cooler at Atlanta’s Turner Field to give away to a fan who catches a home run at its Sky Field attraction.

McGwire’s St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play the Atlanta Braves this weekend in Atlanta, Coca-Cola’s hometown. Any fan catching a home run at Sky Field - 435 feet from home plate and 80 feet above the stands - wins the prize.

Coke has had a check for $1 million encased in glass at Sky Field since the attraction opened last year, but no home run has come close to landing in the 22,000-square-foot area above the left field bleachers. McGwire, known for his tape-measure homers, leads the majors with 45 home runs. CHASING MARIS Charting the top HR hitters chasing Roger Maris’ record of 61 in 1961:

Player Gm HR Maris* McGwire 106 45 41 Sosa 108 41 41 Griffey 106 40 41 Vaughn 107 37 41 *Maris column shows Maris’ HRs through same number of games as active player. Maris’ next home run came in game No. 114.

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It’S The Real Million

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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