this-day-in-baseball: July 5, 1987 A’s first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first rookie to

this-day-in-baseball:

July 5, 1987

A’s first baseman Mark McGwire becomes the first rookie to hit 30 homers before the All-Star Game as Oakland defeats the Red Sox, 6-2. The Oakland infielder will finish the season with 49 homers, establishing a new rookie mark previously shared by Wally Berger and Frank Robinson with 39.

Photo credit: Brad Mangin