Knee problems forced him to retire , just two years removed from a 65 - homer season .
At the end of the 2001 season , McGwire 's reign of greatness and glory reached an abrupt end .
Knee problems forced McGwire to retire , just two years removed from a 65 - homer season .
At the end of the 2001 season , McGwire 's reign of greatness and glory reached an abrupt end .