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Total Home Runs Hit in Major League Baseball by Season and the Top 20 Years with the Most Home Runs

Jan 9

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Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire: Poster Children of the Steroid Era

Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire: Poster Children of the Steroid Era

The 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees are: no one. Neither Barry Bonds, nor Roger Clemens, not even Mike Piazza or Craig Biggio, made it in on their first ballot.

It was a protest vote from writers, a pushback against the era of steroids. Maybe they are hoping more information will come to light regarding those players who are guilty by association with the 1990′s and 2000′s.

Home run statistics are often cited as a measure of proof that many players were doing steroids during those decades.

But they are really only partially supportive.

Take the top 20 seasons in baseball history when the most home runs were hit. Yes, at the top there are suspect years: seven of the top 10 occurred between the seasons 1998 and 2004.

But then again every season after 2004 (2005-2012) – which is after the PED news broke – shows up in the top 20, too.

What gives? Well, baseball has had 30 teams since 1998. That makes things interesting. Since 1998, the steroid years do appear to have more home runs hit (more in the top half) than after baseball “caught on” (more in the bottom half).

Below the top 20, check out a second list today, total home runs hit every season since 1903, the first year of the World Series.

TOP 20 SEASONS: MOST TOTAL HOME RUNS HIT

YEAR HR HR/GAME GAMES AB TEAMS PLAYERS
1. 2000 5,693 1.172 4,858 167,290 30 1,230
2. 1999 5,528 1.138 4,856 167,137 30 1,209
3. 2001 5,458 1.124 4,858 166,234 30 1,220
4. 2004 5,451 1.123 4,856 167,353 30 1,247
5. 2006 5,386 1.109 4,858 167,341 30 1,242
6. 2003 5,207 1.071 4,860 166,737 30 1,230
7. 1998 5,064 1.041 4,864 167,116 30 1,186
8. 2002 5,059 1.043 4,852 165,582 30 1,218
9. 2009 5,042 1.037 4,860 165,849 30 1,266
10. 2005 5,017 1.032 4,862 166,335 30 1,237
11. 1996 4,962 1.094 4,534 156,801 28 1,141
12. 2007 4,957 1.020 4,862 167,783 30 1,278
13. 2012 4,934 1.015 4,860 165,251 30 1,284
14. 2008 4,878 1.005 4,856 166,714 30 1,291
15. 1997 4,640 1.024 4,532 155,438 28 1,123
16. 2010 4,613 0.949 4,860 165,353 30 1,249
17. 2011 4,552 0.937 4,858 165,705 30 1,295
18. 1987 4,458 1.059 4,210 144,095 26 975
19. 1995 4,081 1.012 4,034 138,571 28 1,133
20. 1993 4,030 0.888 4,538 154,995 28 1,104

Incidentally, those 20 seasons are the only ones with at least 4,000 home runs hit.

HOME RUNS HIT BY SEASON

YEAR HR HR/GAME GAMES AB TEAMS PLAYERS
1903 335 0.150 2,228 75,439 16 368
1904 331 0.133 2,498 82,488 16 364
1905 338 0.137 2,474 81,841 16 390
1906 261 0.106 2,456 80,061 16 412
1907 244 0.099 2,466 80,304 16 418
1908 267 0.107 2,488 80,680 16 440
1909 259 0.104 2,482 80,613 16 504
1910 361 0.145 2,498 81,548 16 508
1911 514 0.208 2,474 82,258 16 536
1912 442 0.179 2,464 82,039 16 604
1913 470 0.190 2,468 81,216 16 582
1914 710 0.189 3,760 122,587 24 740
1915 635 0.170 3,728 121,704 24 733
1916 383 0.154 2,494 81,923 16 527
1917 335 0.134 2,494 82,055 16 490
1918 235 0.116 2,032 67,315 16 489
1919 447 0.200 2,236 74,671 16 479
1920 630 0.255 2,468 84,179 16 495
1921 937 0.381 2,458 85,172 16 492
1922 1,055 0.426 2,476 85,346 16 497
1923 980 0.397 2,466 85,232 16 513
1924 896 0.364 2,462 84,670 16 529
1925 1,169 0.476 2,456 85,432 16 526
1926 863 0.350 2,468 83,762 16 502
1927 922 0.373 2,472 84,461 16 512
1928 1,093 0.444 2,462 84,480 16 505
1929 1,349 0.549 2,458 85,210 16 510
1930 1,565 0.634 2,468 86,571 16 493
1931 1,069 0.432 2,472 86,614 16 492
1932 1,358 0.551 2,466 87,182 16 491
1933 1,067 0.435 2,452 85,222 16 460
1934 1,344 0.549 2,446 85,911 16 487
1935 1,325 0.539 2,456 86,437 16 484
1936 1,364 0.551 2,476 87,638 16 481
1937 1,430 0.577 2,478 85,963 16 498
1938 1,475 0.603 2,446 85,013 16 502
1939 1,445 0.587 2,462 84,879 16 533
1940 1,571 0.636 2,472 86,003 16 514
1941 1,331 0.535 2,488 85,854 16 546
1942 1,071 0.438 2,448 83,731 16 512
1943 905 0.366 2,476 84,701 16 519
1944 1,034 0.416 2,484 85,665 16 548
1945 1,007 0.409 2,460 84,447 16 547
1946 1,215 0.489 2,484 84,333 16 633
1947 1,565 0.630 2,486 84,436 16 544
1948 1,555 0.629 2,474 84,411 16 542
1949 1,704 0.687 2,480 84,380 16 532
1950 2,073 0.837 2,476 84,823 16 530
1951 1,863 0.752 2,478 85,065 16 543
1952 1,701 0.686 2,478 84,195 16 556
1953 2,076 0.837 2,480 84,997 16 534
1954 1,937 0.783 2,474 83,936 16 536
1955 2,224 0.901 2,468 83,590 16 599
1956 2,294 0.926 2,478 83,856 16 552
1957 2,202 0.891 2,470 84,906 16 563
1958 2,240 0.907 2,470 83,827 16 580
1959 2,250 0.909 2,476 84,294 16 571
1960 2,128 0.861 2,472 84,014 16 575
1961 2,730 0.955 2,860 97,032 18 620
1962 3,001 0.926 3,242 110,688 20 702
1963 2,704 0.835 3,238 109,814 20 695
1964 2,762 0.849 3,252 110,464 20 700
1965 2,688 0.828 3,246 109,739 20 702
1966 2,743 0.849 3,230 109,467 20 714
1967 2,299 0.710 3,240 109,205 20 718
1968 1,995 0.614 3,250 108,622 20 676
1969 3,119 0.801 3,892 131,287 24 849
1970 3,429 0.882 3,888 132,140 24 849
1971 2,863 0.739 3,876 130,544 24 828
1972 2,534 0.682 3,718 124,828 24 824
1973 3,102 0.798 3,886 132,363 24 821
1974 2,649 0.681 3,890 132,256 24 861
1975 2,698 0.698 3,868 131,473 24 844
1976 2,235 0.576 3,878 131,525 24 818
1977 3,644 0.866 4,206 143,974 26 900
1978 2,956 0.703 4,204 141,567 26 904
1979 3,433 0.818 4,198 142,792 26 899
1980 3,087 0.733 4,210 144,160 26 916
1981 1,781 0.639 2,788 94,467 26 907
1982 3,379 0.802 4,214 144,149 26 932
1983 3,301 0.783 4,218 143,538 26 953
1984 3,258 0.774 4,210 143,829 26 935
1985 3,602 0.856 4,206 143,075 26 943
1986 3,813 0.907 4,206 143,106 26 953
1987 4,458 1.059 4,210 144,095 26 975
1988 3,180 0.757 4,200 142,568 26 973
1989 3,083 0.732 4,212 142,821 26 988
1990 3,317 0.788 4,210 142,768 26 1,030
1991 3,383 0.804 4,208 142,968 26 1,034
1992 3,038 0.721 4,212 142,895 26 1,007
1993 4,030 0.888 4,538 154,995 28 1,104
1994 3,306 1.033 3,200 110,266 28 991
1995 4,081 1.012 4,034 138,571 28 1,133
1996 4,962 1.094 4,534 156,801 28 1,141
1997 4,640 1.024 4,532 155,438 28 1,123
1998 5,064 1.041 4,864 167,116 30 1,186
1999 5,528 1.138 4,856 167,137 30 1,209
2000 5,693 1.172 4,858 167,290 30 1,230
2001 5,458 1.124 4,858 166,234 30 1,220
2002 5,059 1.043 4,852 165,582 30 1,218
2003 5,207 1.071 4,860 166,737 30 1,230
2004 5,451 1.123 4,856 167,353 30 1,247
2005 5,017 1.032 4,862 166,335 30 1,237
2006 5,386 1.109 4,858 167,341 30 1,242
2007 4,957 1.020 4,862 167,783 30 1,278
2008 4,878 1.005 4,856 166,714 30 1,291
2009 5,042 1.037 4,860 165,849 30 1,266
2010 4,613 0.949 4,860 165,353 30 1,249
2011 4,552 0.937 4,858 165,705 30 1,295
2012 4,934 1.015 4,860 165,251 30 1,284

Thanks to baseball-reference.com for the source data. Check it out!

Photo: nytimes.com

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Major League Baseball: World Series Walk-Off Home Runs

Oct 11

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The Greatest Home Run of All Time? Bill Mazeroski Wins the 1960 World Series.

The Greatest Home Run of All Time? Bill Mazeroski Wins the 1960 World Series.

Wow that was something with Raul Ibanez‘ game-tying and game-winning homeruns yesterday, and the Oakland A’s, too, who scored three in the ninth to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. Playoff baseball. Incredible.

Sports List of the Day ran down postseason walk-off home runs yesterday for the preliminary rounds (ALDS, ALCS, NLDS, NLCS).

As promised, today’s list covers every World Series walk-off homer in baseball history.

It has happened 15 times, the last just last season (2011) off the fists of the eventual World Champion St. Louis Cardinals‘ part-time third baseman David Freese.

That was in a must-win situation. The Cards were down three games to two against the Texas Rangers. After they tied it up both in the bottom of the ninth and 10th, Freese took Mark Lowe deep in the bottom of the 11th to extend the Series one more game.

There are so many classics below. Carlton Fisk’s dance up the baseline in 1975. Kirk Gibson’s 1988 fist-pumping limp around the bases. Joe Carter’s come from behind three-run blast that closed the 1993 Series.

But the greatest World Series walk-off homer of all time (and ranked by ESPN as the greatest home run ever)  leapt off the bat of unsuspecting Pittsburgh Pirates‘ second baseman Bill Mazeroski.

In Game 7 of the 1960 World Series with the Pirates and New York Yankees tied 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth, Maz took Ralph Terry over the left field fence to win it all. For the full story, read: Mazeroski, The Moment and The Man.

Follow me on Twitter @VinGetz.

  YR GM BATTER TM OPP PITCHER SCORE INN
1. 2011 6 David Freese STL TEX Mark Lowe tied 9-9 b11
2. 2005 2 Scott Podsednik CHW HOU Brad Lidge tied 6-6 b9
3. 2003 4 Alex Gonzalez FLA NYY Jeff Weaver tied 3-3 b12
4. 2001 4 Derek Jeter NYY ARI Byung-Hyun Kim tied 3-3 b10
5. 1999 3 Chad Curtis NYY ATL Mike Remlinger tied 5-5 b10
6. 1993 6 Joe Carter TOR PHI Mitch Williams down 6-5 b9
7. 1991 6 Kirby Puckett MIN ATL Charlie Leibrandt tied 3-3 b11
8. 1988 3 Mark McGwire OAK LAD Jay Howell tied 1-1 b9
9. 1988 1 Kirk Gibson LAD OAK Dennis Eckersley down 4-3 b9
10. 1975 6 Carlton Fisk BOS CIN Pat Darcy tied 6-6 b12
11. 1964 3 Mickey Mantle NYY STL Barney Schultz tied 1-1 b9
12. 1960 7 Bill Mazeroski PIT NYY Ralph Terry tied 9-9 b9
13. 1957 4 Eddie Mathews MLN NYY Bob Grim tied 5-5 b10
14. 1954 1 Dusty Rhodes NYG CLE Bob Lemon tied 2-2 b10
15. 1949 1 Tommy Henrich NYY BRO Don Newcombe tied 0-0 b9

Photo: ESPN

Thanks again to baseball-reference.com

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Willie Mays, Ted Williams and the Greatest Hitters in All-Star Game History

Jul 9

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Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron

Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game is tomorrow night! Here are the rosters.

It’s still fun to watch, but the game just ain’t what it used to be, despite the importance of its outcome: home field advantage in the World Series. And it isn’t just because of interleague play or lack of player enthusiasm (to the point of skipping the game).

The players just ain’t what they used to be, either.

Take a look at the all-time All-Star Game batting leaders below. These are some of the greatest and most exciting players to ever take the field.

Only two actives make an appearance – David Wright and Alfonso Soriano.

Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron are the cream of the crop of all-time All-Star players, leading or appearing in most categories.

Thanks to my source, baseball-reference.com.

Follow me on Twitter @VinGetz.

GAMES PLAYED PA
1. Willie Mays 24 82
1. Hank Aaron 24 72
1. Stan Musial 24 72
4. Ted Williams 18 57
4. Cal Ripken 18 52
4. Brooks Robinson 18 47
         
AT BATS PA
1. Willie Mays 75 82
2. Hank Aaron 67 72
3. Stan Musial 63 72
4. Cal Ripken 49 52
5. Ted Williams 46 57
         
BATTING AVERAGE PA
1. Charlie Gehringer .500 29
1. Ted Kluszewski .500 14
3. David Wright .462 14
3. Al Simmons .462 13
5. Joe Carter .455 12
         
HITS PA
1. Willie Mays 23 82
2. Stan Musial 20 72
3. Ted Williams 14 57
3. Nellie Fox 14 41
5. Hank Aaron 13 72
5. Cal Ripken 13 52
5. Brooks Robinson 13 47
5. Dave Winfield 13 38
5. Billy Herman 13 31
         
DOUBLES PA
1. Dave Winfield 7 38
2. Cal Ripken 3 52
2. Barry Bonds 3 36
2. Ernie Banks 3 35
2. Joe Cronin 3 27
2. Joe Gordon 3 20
2. Tony Oliva 3 20
2. Ted Kluszewski 3 14
2. Al Simmons 3 13
2. Al Oliver   3 10
         
TRIPLES PA
1. Willie Mays 3 82
1. Brooks Robinson 3 47
3. Rod Carew 2 48
3. Steve Garvey 2 30
         
HOME RUNS PA
1. Stan Musial 6 72
2. Ted Williams 4 57
2. Fred Lynn 4 22
4. Willie Mays 3 82
4. Johnny Bench 3 30
4. Harmon Killebrew 3 28
4. Rocky Colavito 3 27
4. Gary Carter 3 22
4. Ralph Kiner 3 15
4. Alfonso Soriano 3 14
         
RBI PA
1. Ted Williams 12 57
2. Stan Musial 10 72
2. Fred Lynn 10 22
4. Willie Mays 9 82
5. Hank Aaron 8 72
5. Cal Ripken 8 52
5. Rocky Colavito 8 27
         
RUNS PA
1. Willie Mays 20 82
2. Stan Musial 11 72
3. Ted Williams 10 57
4. Rod Carew 8 48
5. Hank Aaron 7 72
5. Joe DiMaggio 7 43
5. Nellie Fox 7 41
5. Al Kaline   7 40
5. Joe Morgan 7 31
5. Steve Garvey 7 30
5. Jackie Robinson 7 20
         
TOTAL BASES PA
1. Willie Mays 40 82
1. Stan Musial 40 72
3. Ted Williams 30 57
4. Steve Garvey 23 30
5. Cal Ripken 22 52
5. Brooks Robinson 22 47
         
WALKS PA
1. Ted Williams 11 57
2. Mickey Mantle 9 52
2. Charlie Gehringer 9 29
4. Willie Mays 7 82
4. Stan Musial 7 72
4. Rod Carew 7 48
         
OBP PA
1. Charlie Gehringer .655 29
2. Ron Santo .500 20
2. Ted Kluszewski .500 14
2. David Wright .500 14
2. Joe Carter .500 12
         
SLG PA
1. Alfonso Soriano 1.000 14
2. Ralph Kiner .933 15
3. Ted Kluszewski .929 14
4. Fred Lynn .900 22
5. Steve Garvey .821 30
         
OPS PA
1. Ted Kluszewski 1.429 14
2. Alfonso Soriano 1.357 14
3. Fred Lynn 1.264 22
4. Charlie Gehringer 1.255 29
5. Steve Garvey 1.255 30
         
STOLEN BASES PA
1. Willie Mays 6 82
2. Roberto Alomar 5 32
2. Kenny Lofton 5 15
4. Rod Carew 3 48
4. Tim Raines 3 12
4. Steve Sax   3 8
         
STRIKEOUTS PA
1. Mickey Mantle 17 52
2. Willie Mays 14 82
3. Ted Williams 10 57
3. Alex Rodriguez 10 27
5. Roberto Clemente 9 34
5. Reggie Jackson 9 31
5. Ryne Sandberg 9 28
5. Mark McGwire 9 22

Photo: bleacherreport.com / goosejoak.blogspot.com / santiagoenlosdeportes.net / milwaukeebraves.info

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