Depuis que le jeu a été joué pour la première fois par des hommes portant des pantalons amples avec de longues moustaches bouclées, le coup de circuit a été le moment emblématique du baseball. C'est une distinction qui porte une certaine quantité de drame dans son imprévisibilité. Si un graphique était créé pour suivre les leaders des home run de la Major League Baseball depuis le début du 20e siècle, le résultat ressemblerait beaucoup au marché boursier, plein de hauts et de bas, de pics insondables et de bas choquants.
Le classement annuel des coups de circuit donne également un aperçu des différents zeitgeists du baseball. L'ère de la "balle morte" a prouvé à quel point les lanceurs dominaient. Lorsque les drogues améliorant la performance ont assombri le sport, les totaux de home run ont grimpé en flèche.
Quand on parle de circuits, c'est un sac mélangé. Étonnamment, certains des noms les plus emblématiques du baseball ne font qu'une seule apparition sur la liste des leaders du home run des 100 dernières années. Pourtant, il y a beaucoup de Musials et de Ruths, ainsi que des Bonds et des Arenados qui rendent ce club raréfié assez spécial. Sans avoir à fouiller dans des milliers de cartes de baseball qui ramassent la poussière dans votre grenier, Stacker a compilé une liste des leaders du home run dans les ligues américaines et nationales depuis 1901, avec des détails sur leurs saisons mémorables, d'autres records notables et comment ils se sont comportés à l'avenir. années. En utilisant les données de Baseball Reference tout au long de la saison 2018, nous notons également les finalistes chaque année, en utilisant 1901 comme point de départ, car c'est à ce moment-là que l'AL s'est officiellement formée (la NL existait depuis 1876.)
Même si vous saviez d'une manière ou d'une autre que Gavvy Cravath était essentiellement le Reggie Jackson de son temps, ou que Heinie Zimmerman a autant de titres de circuits que Bryce Harper, cette liste contient des pépites intéressantes que tous les fans - des fans des Red Sox de Boston aux supporters des Yankees de New York - peuvent apprendre. Alors ouvrez une boîte de Cracker Jacks ou mettez du Big League Chew dans votre bouche, mettez votre casquette ou votre maillot préféré et plongez dans l'histoire du baseball avec les meilleurs mashers de l'histoire des ligues majeures pour découvrir qui est le leader de la ligue. home runs était l'année de votre naissance.
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- Leader(s) AL :Nap Lajoie (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :14
- Finaliste(s) AL :Buck Freeman
- Leader(s) NL :Sam Crawford (Cincinnati Reds)
- Coups de circuit :16
- Finaliste(s) NL :Jimmy Sheckard
Napoléon "Nap" Lajoie n'a atteint qu'une seule fois le nombre de circuits à deux chiffres dans sa carrière, mais en 1901, ses 14 circuits ont suffi pour dominer la Ligue américaine. Lajoie, un futur membre du Temple de la renommée, a également remporté la triple couronne cette saison, menant la ligue pour les circuits, la moyenne au bâton et les points produits. Dans la Ligue nationale, Sam Crawford a également atteint un sommet en carrière pour les circuits, mais n'a jamais frappé plus plus que neuf.
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- Leader(s) AL : Socks Seybold (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :16
- Finaliste(s) AL :Charlie Hickman, Bill Bradley, Buck Freeman
- Meneur(s) NL :Tommy Leach (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Coups de circuit :6
- Finaliste(s) NL :Jake Beckley
En plus d'avoir l'un des meilleurs surnoms de l'histoire du baseball, Socks Seybold a connu l'une des saisons de puissance les plus impressionnantes du début de l'histoire de la Ligue américaine en 1902. Ses 16 dingers resteront au sommet de la ligue pendant près de deux décennies avant qu'un autre cogneur aux surnoms nommé Babe Ruth est arrivée et a réécrit le livre des records. Tommy Leach n'a marqué que six circuits pour dominer la Ligue nationale, mais il a également mené tous les frappeurs au baseball avec 22 triples.
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- Leader(s) AL :Buck Freeman (Boston Americans)
- Coups de circuit :13
- Finaliste(s) AL :Charlie Hickman
- Leader(s) NL :Jimmy Sheckard (Brooklyn Superbas)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) NL :Pat Moran, Tommy Leach, Mike Donlin, Sam Mertes, Cy Seymour, Gingembre Beaumont
Quatre ans plus tôt, Buck Freeman a écrasé 25 circuits et est immédiatement devenu considéré comme l'un des cogneurs prééminents de son époque. En 1903, Freeman a de nouveau dominé la Ligue américaine, terminant une période de cinq ans de frappe de 67 balles longues, un nombre gargantuesque au début du 20e siècle. Jimmy Sheckard a non seulement mené la Ligue nationale en coups de circuit, mais a raflé 67 buts, le plus au baseball.
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- Meneur(s) AL :Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :10
- Finaliste(s) AL :Danny Murphy, Buck Freeman
- Meneur(s) NL :Harry Lumley (Brooklyn Superbas)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) NL :Dave Brain
Les 10 circuits de Harry Davis n'étaient pas trop impressionnants, mais 1904 a commencé une séquence de domination de quatre ans par le natif de Philadelphie, qui a passé la majorité de sa vie dans la ville de l'amour fraternel. Dans l'un des débuts les plus impressionnants de l'époque, la recrue Harry Lumley a non seulement mené la Ligue nationale dans les circuits, mais a affiché 18 meilleurs triples. Cependant, Lumley était vraiment un batteur de fête ou de famine, car ses 106 retraits au bâton lors de sa première saison étaient les plus importants de tout le baseball.
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- Leader(s) AL :Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :8
- Finaliste(s) AL :George Stone
- Leader(s) NL :Fred Odwell (Cincinnati Reds)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) NL :Cy Seymour
Harry Davis n'a eu besoin que de huit circuits pour remporter sa deuxième couronne consécutive de circuits, mais il a également mené la Ligue américaine en points, doubles et points marqués. Pendant ce temps, 1905 serait l'apogée de la carrière de Fred Odwell, car il n'en a jamais frappé un autre. home run dans les majors après cette saison, et était hors du baseball en 1908.
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- Leader(s) AL :Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :12
- Finaliste(s) AL :Charlie Hickman
- Leader(s) NL :Tim Jordan (Brooklyn Superbas)
- Circuits :12
- Finaliste(s) NL :Harry Lumley
Au cours de sa période d'excellence de quatre ans, Harry Davis a atteint son apogée en 1906, avec un record de carrière de 12 circuits et 96 points produits. Les 12 circuits et 78 points produits de Tim Jordan n'étaient pas trop minables non plus, comme le natif de New York. aurait une saison de plus à retenir dans deux ans.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Harry Davis (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Circuits :8
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL : Socks Seybold, Danny Hoffman, Ty Cobb
- Leader(s) NL :Dave Brain (Boston Doves)
- Coups de circuit :10
- Finaliste(s) NL :Harry Lumley
Après 1907, Harry Davis a vu sa carrière décliner, puisqu'il n'a frappé que 11 autres circuits avant de finalement prendre sa retraite en 1917. Davis, cependant, a capturé trois anneaux de la Série mondiale en plus d'un de 1902, principalement en tant que joueur-manager. Dave Brain, du Royaume-Uni, a tenté d'utiliser sa formidable saison pour négocier une augmentation de salaire, une tactique qui est tombée dans l'oreille d'un sourd et a entraîné une amende de 50 $.
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- Leader(s) AL :Sam Crawford (Detroit Tigers)
- Coups de circuit :7
- Finaliste(s) AL :Bill Hinchman
- Leader(s) NL :Tim Jordan (Brooklyn Superbas)
- Circuits :12
- Finaliste(s) NL :Honus Wagner
Sept ans après son premier titre de circuit, Sam Crawford a de nouveau dominé le classement de la Ligue américaine. La Ligue nationale a également vu un vainqueur à répétition, avec Tim Jordan qui a résisté au légendaire Honus Wagner lors de la course à domicile.
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- Leader(s) AL :Ty Cobb (Detroit Tigers)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) AL :Tris Speaker
- Leader(s) NL :Red Murray (Giants de New York)
- Circuits :7
- Finaliste(s) NL :Beals Becker, Tommy Leach, Larry Doyle
Au cours de ses quatre premières saisons professionnelles, Ty Cobb a montré une propension à conduire dans les courses, mais peu ont réussi des circuits. Cette année marquerait la seule fois de son illustre carrière où il a mené la ligue en circuits, mais il a continué à être une machine à produire des courses tout au long de ses 24 années dans les grands. Au moment où Cobb a pris sa retraite, sa moyenne au bâton en carrière de 0,366 deviendrait la meilleure de tous les temps.
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- Leader(s) AL :Jake Stahl (Boston Red Sox)
- Coups de circuit :10
- Finaliste(s) AL :Ty Cobb, Duffy Lewis
- Leader(s) NL :Frank Schulte, Fred Beck (Boston Doves, Chicago Cubs)
- Circuits :10
- Finaliste(s) NL :Jake Daubert, Larry Doyle
L'apogée de la carrière de baseball de Jake Stahl est survenue en 1910, mais après avoir raccroché ses pointes, il a connu encore plus de succès en tant que banquier. La campagne de 1910 de Frank Schulte serait un apéritif pour les chiffres monstres l'année suivante, tandis que Fred Beck a remporté son seul titre de home run.
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- Leader(s) AL :Frank Baker (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :11
- Finaliste(s) AL :Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb
- Leader(s) NL :Frank Schulte (Chicago Cubs)
- Coups de circuit :21
- Finaliste(s) NL :Fred Luderus
Vous ne gagnez pas un surnom comme "Home Run" à moins que vous ne soyez habile à lancer le ballon par-dessus la clôture. Frank "Home Run" Baker a remporté sa première des quatre couronnes de home run en 1911 et était l'un des frappeurs les plus redoutés de son temps. Malgré les exploits de Baker, Frank Schulte a sans doute eu la meilleure année, frappant 21 longues balles pour sa deuxième couronne consécutive de home run de la Ligue nationale.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Frank Baker, Tris Speaker (Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox)
- Coups de circuit :10
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Ty Cobb
- Leader(s) NL :Heinie Zimmerman (Chicago Cubs)
- Coups de circuit :14
- Finaliste(s) NL :Frank Schulte
Tris Speaker a égalé Frank Baker avec 10 circuits dans la Ligue américaine, mais Baker a également mené les majors avec 130 points produits. L'année de carrière de Heinie Zimmerman l'a placé au sommet des classements des circuits et de la moyenne au bâton, et des recherches récentes montrent que Zimmerman aurait pu gagner. une triple couronne (les points produits n'étaient pas une statistique officielle à l'époque).
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- Leader(s) AL :Frank Baker (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :12
- Finaliste(s) AL :Sam Crawford
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Circuits :19
- Finaliste(s) NL :Fred Luderus
Alors que Frank Baker continuait sa domination parmi les cogneurs de la Ligue américaine, Gavvy Cravath commençait tout juste son ascension dans la Ligue nationale. Cravath a mené les majors dans les coups de circuit et les coups marqués (128), et serait le frappeur de puissance dominant de la NL au cours des trois prochaines années.
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- Leader(s) AL :Frank Baker (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) AL :Sam Crawford
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Circuits :19
- Finaliste(s) NL :Vic Saier
Pour la deuxième saison consécutive, Frank Baker et Gavvy Cravath ont été les rois du home run de la Major League Baseball. Cravath était aussi appelé «Cactus» et «chaussures en bois», tandis que Gavvy était l'abréviation de «gaviota», le mot espagnol pour mouette. La légende raconte qu'au cours d'une partie, Cravath a heurté un paquebot qui a heurté et tué une mouette.
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- Leader(s) AL :Braggo Roth (Chicago White Sox/Indians de Cleveland)
- Coups de circuit :7
- Finaliste(s) AL :Rube Oldring
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Coups de circuit :24
- Finaliste(s) NL :Cy Williams
Braggo Roth a remporté son premier et unique titre de home run et a renversé Frank Baker du trône. Mais personne n'a pu à nouveau battre Gavvy Cravath dans la Ligue nationale, alors que le cogneur a réussi 24 circuits et a mené les majors avec 115 points produits.
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- Leader(s) AL :Wally Pipp (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :12
- Finaliste(s) AL :Frank Baker
- Leader(s) NL :Cy Williams, Dave Robertson (Chicago Cubs, New York Giants)
- Circuits :12
- Finaliste(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath
Les débuts du baseball regorgeaient de surnoms merveilleux, mais peu avaient des surnoms originaux aussi mémorables que Wally Pipp. Le gros cogneur du Midwest s'est d'abord fait un nom avec ses 12 circuits en 1916, mais la véritable renommée de Pipp est venue en 1925 lorsqu'il a été remplacé dans la formation des Yankees de New York par Lou Gehrig, qui a joué 2 130 matchs consécutifs. .
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- Leader(s) AL :Wally Pipp (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :9
- Finaliste(s) AL :Bobby Veach
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath, Dave Robertson (Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :12
- Finaliste(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby
Pipp a remporté deux couronnes consécutives de coups de circuit, tandis que Gavvy Cravath a récupéré son titre, entamant un autre règne de trois ans au sommet des frappeurs de circuit de la Ligue nationale. Dave Robertson, qui était à égalité en tête en 1916, a remporté son deuxième titre consécutif de circuit en égalant Cravath.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth, Tillie Walker (Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :11
- Finaliste(s) AL :Frank Baker, George Burns
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Circuits :8
- Finaliste(s) NL :Walton Cruise, Cy Williams
Tillie Walker n'a plus jamais mené une ligue de circuits (malgré 37 coups de circuit en 1922), mais partagera toujours l'honneur de 1918 avec Babe Ruth. Cette année a effectivement mis fin à "l'ère Deadball" du baseball, et les chiffres de puissance ont commencé à monter en flèche par la suite.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Babe Ruth (Boston Red Sox)
- Circuits :29
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Tillie Walker, Frank Baker, George Sisler
- Leader(s) NL :Gavvy Cravath (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Circuits :12
- Finaliste(s) NL :Benny Kauff
Avant 1918, Babe Ruth a frappé un total de neuf circuits au cours de ses quatre premières saisons (166 matchs). La première couronne de circuit de Ruth était un signe de bonnes choses à venir et en 1919, il est devenu un nom connu avec 29 circuits, un nombre monstrueux pour l'époque. Gavvy Cravath a remporté son sixième et dernier titre de home run et ne récolterait qu'un seul homer de plus avant de prendre sa retraite après la saison 1919.
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- Meneur(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :54
- Finaliste(s) AL :George Sisler
- Leader(s) NL :Cy Williams (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Circuits :15
- Finaliste(s) NL :Irish Meusel
Babe Ruth est devenu un phénomène en 1920, lorsqu'il a frappé un nombre presque insondable de 54 circuits (le pauvre George Sisler, dont les 19 circuits auraient été bons presque n'importe quelle autre année avant de mener la ligue). Ruth a également mené les majeures pour les points marqués, les points produits et les marches. D'une manière ou d'une autre, le meilleur était encore à venir de Ruth.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :59
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Ken Williams, Bob Meusel
- Leader(s) NL :George Kelly (New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :23
- Finaliste(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby
Jouant à New York, Babe Ruth savait comment faire un rappel pour un public adorateur, et sa performance de 1921 a plongé de nombreux fans des Yankees dans l'hystérie. Avec un nombre presque insondable de 59 circuits, Ruth a de nouveau établi un nouveau record de circuits en une saison. Le Great Bambino a également marqué 177 points et conduit 168, brisant le livre des records.
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- Leader(s) AL :Ken Williams (St. Louis Browns)
- Coups de circuit :39
- Finaliste(s) AL :Tillie Walker
- Leader(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Coups de circuit :42
- Finaliste(s) NL :Cy Williams
Babe Ruth n'a pu amasser que 35 circuits en 1922, permettant à Ken Williams de remporter le titre de circuit de la Ligue américaine. Williams, originaire de l'Oregon, serait un solide frappeur de puissance tout au long de sa carrière, mais n'a plus jamais atteint les sommets de sa saison 1922. Pendant ce temps, Rogers Hornsby a finalement percé pour mener la Ligue nationale dans les circuits, alors qu'il s'est imposé comme l'un des meilleurs joueurs offensifs du jeu (Hornsby a mené la NL dans les points frappés au cours des deux saisons précédentes.)
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :41
- Finaliste(s) AL :Ken Williams
- Meneur(s) NL :Cy Williams (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Coups de circuit :41
- Finaliste(s) NL :Jack Fournier
Babe Ruth est retournée au sommet de la montagne en 1923, dessinant également 170 marches en tête de la ligue majeure. Au cours de la décennie suivante, Ruth a rarement cédé la première place du circuit, menant la Ligue américaine en circuits 12 fois de 1918 à 1931. Pour la troisième fois, Cy Williams a mené la Ligue nationale en longs ballons, enregistrant 41 circuits, un sommet en carrière.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :46
- Finaliste(s) AL :Joe Hauser
- Leader(s) NL :Jack Fournier (Brooklyn Robins)
- Coups de circuit :27
- Finaliste(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby
Babe Ruth a non seulement mené la Ligue américaine dans les circuits, mais pour la septième saison consécutive, il a dominé l'AL en pourcentage de slugging. Jack Fournier, qui a remporté son seul titre de circuit en 1924, a ensuite passé sa carrière après sa retraite en tant que dépisteur pour plusieurs équipes de la ligue majeure.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Bob Meusel (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :33
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Babe Ruth, Ken Williams
- Leader(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Coups de circuit :39
- Finaliste(s) NL :Gabby Hartnett
Le coéquipier de Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, n'a jamais été connu comme un frappeur puissant, mais en 1925, ses 33 circuits, un sommet en carrière, étaient assez bons pour la meilleure note de la Ligue américaine (tout comme ses 134 points produits). Le frère de Meusel, Emil, a joué pour le rival de Crosstown, les Giants de New York, mais n'a jamais amassé la popularité de Bob, qui, avec Ruth et Earl Combs, a formé ce que beaucoup considèrent comme le plus grand trio de champ de tous les temps.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :47
- Finaliste(s) AL :Al Simmons
- Leader(s) NL :Hack Wilson (Chicago Cubs)
- Coups de circuit :21
- Finaliste(s) NL :Jim Bottomley
Hack Wilson a remporté le premier des quatre titres de home run en 1926, amorçant l'ascension de l'un des frappeurs les plus redoutés de la Ligue nationale - Wilson a également mené la Ligue nationale au nombre de retraits au bâton à cinq reprises (faisant de "hack" un surnom à propos). Cependant, malgré toute sa gloire sur le diamant, la carrière de Wilson connut un déclin précipité et il mourut en 1948.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Home runs :60
- Finaliste(s) AL :Lou Gehrig
- Leader(s) NL :Cy Williams, Hack Wilson (Chicago Cubs, Phillies de Philadelphie)
- Circuits :30
- Finaliste(s) NL :Rogers Hornsby
Pendant plusieurs années, il semble que Babe Ruth ait atteint son apogée, car il n'a pas réussi 50 coups de circuit après en avoir réussi 59 en 1921. Mais en 1927, Ruth a connu une excellente saison de tous les temps, devenant la première ligue majeure à atteindre 60. Coups de circuit - une marque qui durera jusqu'en 1961. Le total de Ruth a doublé les 30 circuits qui ont mené les leaders de la Ligue nationale, Cy Williams et Hack Wilson.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :54
- Finaliste(s) AL :Lou Gehrig
- Leader(s) NL :Hack Wilson, Jim Bottomley (Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals)
- Coups de circuit :31
- Finaliste(s) NL :Chick Hafey
Babe Ruth n'a pas pu surpasser sa saison magique de 1927, mais 54 circuits ne sont pas trop minables. Pendant ce temps, Jim Bottomley était à égalité pour le titre de home run de la Ligue nationale, la seule fois de sa carrière au Temple de la renommée où il menait la ligue en longs ballons. Bottomley était toujours un frappeur prolifique - de 1924 à 1929, il a frappé plus de 111 points chaque saison.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :46
- Finaliste(s) AL :Lou Gehrig
- Leader(s) de la NL :Chuck Klein (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Coups de circuit :43
- Finaliste(s) de la NL :Mel Ott
À sa deuxième saison seulement dans les ligues majeures, Chuck Klein s'est hissé au sommet du classement des circuits de la Ligue nationale. Klein, un natif de l'Indiana, revendiquera la couronne en tant que roi du home run trois fois de plus et terminera sa carrière avec 300 circuits sur le nez.
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :49
- Finaliste(s) AL :Lou Gehrig
- Leader(s) NL :Hack Wilson (Chicago Cubs)
- Coups de circuit :56
- Finaliste(s) NL :Chuck Klein
De 1926 à 1931, Babe Ruth a non seulement mené la Ligue américaine en circuits chaque saison, mais il a également conduit des points à un rythme astronomique. Au cours de cette période de six ans, le plus bas nombre de points produits par Ruth était de 146 en 1928 (il n'a jamais frappé en dessous de 0,323).
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- Leader(s) AL :Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :46
- Finaliste(s) AL :Earl Averill
- Leader(s) de la NL :Chuck Klein (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Coups de circuit :31
- Finaliste(s) de la NL :Mel Ott
Babe Ruth a mené la Ligue américaine dans les circuits pour la dernière fois de sa carrière (à égalité avec son coéquipier des Yankees de New York Lou Gehrig), mais il lui restait encore un peu de pop dans sa batte. Au cours de ses années crépusculaires, Ruth a frappé 103 circuits au cours de ses quatre dernières saisons, terminant avec 714 au total. Cette marque ne sera brisée qu'en 1974, par Hank Aaron.
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :58
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Babe Ruth
- Leader(s) NL :Chuck Klein, Mel Ott (Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :38
- Finaliste(s) NL :Bill Terry
Jimmie Foxx a dépassé la barre des 30 circuits dans chacune des trois saisons avant 1932, donc sa campagne époustouflante de 58 circuits n'a pas été une surprise totale. Foxx a remporté à juste titre le prix du joueur le plus précieux, tout en menant la Ligue nationale en termes de courses et de courses. La légende raconte que Foxx a servi de base au personnage de Tom Hanks dans "A League of Their Own".
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- Leader(s) de l'AL :Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :48
- Finaliste(s) de l'AL :Babe Ruth
- Leader(s) NL :Chuck Klein (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Coups de circuit :28
- Finaliste(s) NL :Wally Berger
Jimmie Foxx a ramassé son deuxième matériel de joueur le plus précieux après avoir mené la Ligue américaine dans les circuits et les courses frappées à nouveau. Même si Chuck Klein a frappé 20 circuits de moins que Foxx, sa saison a peut-être été encore plus impressionnante; Klein a remporté la Triple Couronne grâce à ses 120 points produits et sa moyenne au bâton de 0,368.
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- Leader(s) AL :Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :49
- Finaliste(s) AL :Jimmie Foxx
- Leader(s) NL :Mel Ott, Ripper Collins (Giants de New York, Cardinals de St. Louis)
- Coups de circuit :35
- Finaliste(s) NL :Wally Berger
Bien que sa saison 1931 ait été assez monumentale (46 circuits, 185 points produits), la production de Lou Gehrig en 1934 l'a mis dans un air raréfié. Gehrig a rythmé la Ligue américaine avec 166 points produits et une moyenne de 0,363 pour accompagner ses 49 circuits, ce qui lui a valu sa seule triple couronne. Dans la Ligue nationale, le merveilleusement surnommé Ripper Collins a mené la ligue en circuits pour la première et unique fois de sa carrière.
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- Leader(s) AL :Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx (Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics)
- Coups de circuit :36
- Finaliste(s) AL :Lou Gehrig
- Leader(s) NL :Wally Berger (Boston Braves)
- Circuits :34
- Finaliste(s) NL :Mel Ott
À sa troisième saison complète avec les Tigers de Detroit, "Hammerin" Hank Greenberg s'est imposé comme l'un des porte-flambeau des cogneurs de la Ligue américaine après le déclin de Babe Ruth. Remportant le prix du joueur le plus précieux à 24 ans, Greenberg a également réalisé 168 points. Ailleurs, Wally Berger, un solide frappeur de puissance tout au long de sa carrière, a connu une campagne en petits groupes en 1935, menant la Ligue nationale avec 130 points produits.
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- Leader(s) AL :Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :49
- Finaliste(s) AL :Hal Trosky
- Leader(s) NL :Mel Ott (New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :33
- Finaliste(s) NL :Dolph Camilli
Pour la troisième et dernière fois de sa carrière, Lou Gehrig a mené la Ligue américaine en circuits. Au cours des deux saisons suivantes, Gehrig a frappé 37 et 29 circuits, mais sa course historique a pris une triste fin lorsqu'il a pris sa retraite en 1939, après avoir reçu un diagnostic de sclérose latérale amyotrophique. Gehrig est décédé deux ans plus tard et restera à jamais dans les mémoires comme l'une des figures les plus emblématiques du baseball.
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- Leader(s) AL :Joe DiMaggio (New York Yankees)
- Coups de circuit :46
- Finaliste(s) AL :Hank Greenberg
- Leader(s) NL :Mel Ott, Joe Medwick (Giants de New York, Cardinals de St. Louis)
- Coups de circuit :31
- Finaliste(s) NL :Dolph Camilli
À sa deuxième saison seulement, Joe DiMaggio est immédiatement devenu un favori des fans des Yankees, grâce à ses 46 circuits, 167 points produits et 151 points marqués. "Joltin 'Joe" ne dirigera plus la Ligue américaine dans les circuits jusqu'en 1948, bien qu'il ait raté trois saisons complètes en raison du service militaire. Joe Medwick a non seulement été à égalité pour la tête des coups de circuit de la Ligue nationale, mais a également remporté la Triple Couronne avec 154 points produits et une moyenne au bâton de 0,374.
38 / 118
- Leader(s) AL :Hank Greenberg (Detroit Tigers)
- Coups de circuit :58
- Finaliste(s) AL :Jimmie Foxx
- Leader(s) NL :Mel Ott (New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :36
- Finaliste(s) NL :Ival Goodman
En 1938, Hank Greenberg est devenu seulement le deuxième joueur autre que Babe Ruth à frapper 58 circuits ou plus en une saison. Mel Ott a couronné une course de trois ans en tant que roi du home run de la Ligue nationale et en remportera un de plus quatre ans plus tard, portant son nombre total de couronnes à six.
39 / 118
- Leader(s) AL :Jimmie Foxx (Boston Red Sox)
- Coups de circuit :35
- Finaliste(s) AL :Hank Greenberg
- Leader(s) de la NL :Johnny Mize (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Coups de circuit :28
- Finaliste(s) de la NL :Mel Ott
L'arbre généalogique de Johnny Mize pourrait remplir toute la gamme. Non seulement Mize a mené la Ligue nationale à quatre reprises, mais il était un cousin éloigné de Ty Cobb. Un autre membre de la famille de Mize, Clara Merritt, a épousé Babe Ruth.
40 / 118
- Leader(s) AL :Hank Greenberg (Detroit Tigers)
- Coups de circuit :41
- Finaliste(s) AL :Jimmie Foxx
- Leader(s) NL :Johnny Mize (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Coups de circuit :43
- Finaliste(s) NL :Bill Nicholson
Au début des années 1940, la Major League Baseball allait bientôt subir des changements radicaux. La Seconde Guerre mondiale a envoyé bon nombre des meilleurs cogneurs du sport dans l'armée, et les totaux de circuits ont légèrement diminué en temps de guerre. Avant que Hank Greenberg ne parte au service, il a remporté son troisième titre de home run de la Ligue américaine.
41 / 118
- Leader(s) AL :Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox)
- Coups de circuit :37
- Finaliste(s) AL :Charlie Keller
- Leader(s) NL :Dolph Camilli (Brooklyn Dodgers)
- Coups de circuit :34
- Finaliste(s) NL :Mel Ott
Le premier des quatre titres de circuit de Ted Williams est venu en 1941, seulement sa troisième saison dans les majors. Cependant, Williams est mieux connu pour sa moyenne au bâton de .406 au cours de cette campagne, car il reste le dernier joueur à frapper au-dessus de .400. De manière quelque peu surprenante, Dolph Camilli a remporté la couronne du home run de la Ligue nationale et a également remporté le prix du joueur le plus précieux. Camilli a terminé sa carrière en 1945, frappant 239 circuits.
42 / 118
- Leader(s) AL :Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox)
- Coups de circuit :36
- Finaliste(s) AL :Chet Laabs
- Leader(s) NL :Mel Ott (New York Giants)
- Coups de circuit :30
- Finaliste(s) NL :Dolph Camilli, Johnny Mize
Lors de sa dernière saison avant d'entrer dans l'armée, Ted Williams a remporté la triple couronne de la Ligue américaine, ajoutant 137 points produits et une moyenne au bâton de 0,356 à ses 36 circuits. Williams n'a pas joué dans les majors de 1943 à 1945 en raison de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, mais il est revenu sans manquer un battement en 1946. Mel Ott a décroché son sixième et dernier titre de circuit dans la Ligue nationale.
43 / 118 - AL leader(s):Rudy York (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:34
- AL runner(s)-up:Charlie Keller
- NL leader(s):Bill Nicholson (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:29
- NL runner(s)-up:Mel Ott
Beginning in his first full season in 1937, Rudy York hit 20 or more home runs for seven straight years. His masterpiece came in 1943 when for the only time in his career, he led the American League in home runs. Bill Nicholson also became a first-time home run leader, taking the National League crown.
44 / 118
- AL leader(s):Nick Etten (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:22
- AL runner(s)-up:Vern Stephens
- NL leader(s):Bill Nicholson (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:33
- NL runner(s)-up:Mel Ott
Nick Etten only hit 89 home runs over a career that spanned nine seasons. But his 22 long balls in 1944 would be good enough to capture the American League home run title, as baseball continued on without some of its top sluggers aiding the war effort.
45 / 118
- AL leader(s):Vern Stephens (St. Louis Browns)
- Home runs:24
- AL runner(s)-up:Roy Cullenbine, Nick Etten, Rudy York
- NL leader(s):Tommy Holmes (Boston Braves)
- Home runs:28
- NL runner(s)-up:Chuck Workman
With World War II coming to an end during the 1945 season, Major League Baseball would soon be re-injected with some of its best power hitters. In the meantime, Vern Stephens hit a then-career-high 24 homers to win the American League home run race, and Tommy Holmes' career best 28 dingers solidified the top spot in the National League. Holmes also led the majors with 224 hits.
46 / 118
- AL leader(s):Hank Greenberg (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Ted Williams
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:23
- NL runner(s)-up:Johnny Mize
After a three year absence (he played for part of the 1945 season), Hank Greenberg returned to baseball with a bang. Almost doubling the output of the previous season's home run leader, Greenberg showed little rust in adding 127 runs batted into his 44 homers. This year also saw the arrival of an all-time great, as rookie Ralph Kiner won his first of seven straight home run titles.
47 / 118
- AL leader(s):Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Joe Gordon
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner, Johnny Mize (Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants)
- Home runs:51
- NL runner(s)-up:Willard Marshall
Another year, another returning legend reclaiming his throne. Not only did Ted Williams lead the league in home runs, but his 114 runs batted in and .343 average earned him his second Triple Crown. After missing three seasons while serving in the military, Williams did not skip a beat.
48 / 118
- AL leader(s):Joe DiMaggio (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:39
- AL runner(s)-up:Joe Gordon
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner, Johnny Mize (Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Stan Musial
Major League Baseball post-World War II led to a renaissance of sorts throughout the game. Not only were there emerging stars to be found like Ralph Kiner, but returning veterans filled a void missing from three long seasons away from the diamond. Joe DiMaggio had one last epic season in 1948, leading the American League in homers and registering 155 runs batted in, which topped the majors.
49 / 118
- AL leader(s):Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Vern Stephens
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:54
- NL runner(s)-up:Stan Musial
Of all his great performances, 1949 might have been the most legendary in Ted Williams' storied career. After leading the American League in homers, Williams also had more runs, doubles, runs batted in, and walks than any other player in the AL. Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh's rising star, kept outdoing himself by notching a career-high 54 homers.
50 / 118
- AL leader(s):Al Rosen (Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:37
- AL runner(s)-up:Walt Dropo
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Andy Pafko
After collecting only 65 plate appearances over his first three seasons (with zero homers), Al Rosen broke out in 1950, to notch the first of two home run titles. Rosen also led the league in times hit by pitches, a stat he likely did not remember as fondly. Rosen later became a front office executive and was always proud of his Jewish heritage, refusing to play during the High Holy Days.
51 / 118
- AL leader(s):Gus Zernial (Chicago White Sox/Philadelphia Athletics)
- Home runs:33
- AL runner(s)-up:Ted Williams
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:42
- NL runner(s)-up:Gil Hodges
Gus Zernial was the rare player to be traded during a season in which he won a home run title. Zernial began 1951 inauspiciously, collecting no homers in four games with the Chicago White Sox, before breaking through after a deal sent him to Philadelphia. Although he'd later have campaigns with 42 and 30 home runs, Zernial never again duplicated his success of 1951.
52 / 118
- AL leader(s):Larry Doby (Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Luke Easter
- NL leader(s):Ralph Kiner, Hank Sauer (Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:37
- NL runner(s)-up:Gil Hodges
In 1947, Larry Doby became the first black player in American League history, and second to break baseball's color barrier after Jackie Robinson. Doby continually proved he was among the sport's most talented players and in 1952, he collected his first of two home run titles. From 1949–55, Doby was named an All-Star each year and in 1998, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
53 / 118
- AL leader(s):Al Rosen (Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Gus Zernial
- NL leader(s):Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee Braves)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Duke Snider
In only his second season, Eddie Mathews finally dethroned Ralph Kiner from the National League home run leaderboard, beginning on onslaught on baseball's record books. Mathews would only win one additional home run title but was a notoriously powerful hitter with a great eye, good enough for 512 career home runs and an eventual spot in Cooperstown.
54 / 118
- AL leader(s):Larry Doby (Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Ted Williams
- NL leader(s):Ted Kluszewski (Cincinnati Reds)
- Home runs:49
- NL runner(s)-up:Gil Hodges
Larry Doby picked up his second home run title, again smacking 32 long balls, while the bulky Ted Kluszewski led the majors in both homers and runs batted in (141). Kluszewski was in the midst of a monster four-year stretch, where he hit more than 35 home runs each season, and drove in more than 100 RBI. From 1953–56, Kluszewski made four All-Star teams.
55 / 118
- AL leader(s):Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:37
- AL runner(s)-up:Gus Zernial
- NL leader(s):Willie Mays (New York Giants)
- Home runs:51
- NL runner(s)-up:Ted Kluszewski
You would be hard-pressed to find another year that had two more memorable names leading the leagues in home runs. Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays also lead their leagues in triples in 1955, exemplifying the talents of two of the game's all-time greats.
56 / 118
- AL leader(s):Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:52
- AL runner(s)-up:Vic Wertz
- NL leader(s):Duke Snider (Brooklyn Dodgers)
- Home runs:43
- NL runner(s)-up:Joe Adcock, Frank Robinson
Mickey Mantle's encore in 1956 was simply astonishing, as he smacked 52 home runs and drove in a whopping 130 runs. Mantle also hit .353, winning his first Triple Crown. Meanwhile, Duke Snider won his first and only home run title—but by no means was any less successful. Snider hit 40 or more home runs in five straight years from 1953–57, and was just as beloved by Brooklynites as Mantle was in the Bronx.
57 / 118
- AL leader(s):Roy Sievers (Washington Senators)
- Home runs:42
- AL runner(s)-up:Ted Williams
- NL leader(s):Hank Aaron (Milwaukee Braves)
- Home runs:44
- NL runner(s)-up:Ernie Banks
Roy Sievers is a name often lost in the shuffle of this golden era of baseball, among the Mantles, Mays', and Sniders of the world. Still, Sievers flashed a lot of pop and finished his career with 318 home runs. His 114 runs batted in also led the American League in 1957. In the National League, an emerging star named Hank Aaron won his first of four home run titles, just one of many accolades to come.
58 / 118
- AL leader(s):Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:42
- AL runner(s)-up:Rocky Colavito
- NL leader(s):Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Frank Thomas
Mickey Mantle's third home run title also came while leading the league in runs and walks. In the National League, Ernie Banks won his first home run crown, with a career-high 47 homers. Even more impressive, 1958 was the first of back-to-back most valuable player awards for the man forever known as “Mr. Cub.”
59 / 118
- AL leader(s):Harmon Killebrew, Rocky Colavito (Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:42
- AL runner(s)-up:Jim Lemon
- NL leader(s):Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee Braves)
- Home runs:46
- NL runner(s)-up:Ernie Banks
After only getting a cup of coffee in the big leagues over his first five seasons, Harmon Killebrew solidified his spot in the Washington Senators lineup with a breakout campaign of 42 homers and 105 runs batted in. While Killebrew would win five more home run crowns, Cleveland's Rocky Colavito picked up his first and only title, tying Killebrew with 42 homers. Eddie Mathews took home his second and final home run title in the National League.
60 / 118
- AL leader(s):Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:40
- AL runner(s)-up:Roger Maris
- NL leader(s):Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:41
- NL runner(s)-up:Hank Aaron
Just like in 1958, Mickey Mantle and Ernie Banks were the home run kings of baseball. Both were able to hold off sluggers notable in their own right—Roger Maris, who would make history the following year, and Hank Aaron, who became baseball's all-time home run leader 14 years later.
61 / 118
- AL leader(s):Roger Maris (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:61
- AL runner(s)-up:Mickey Mantle
- NL leader(s):Orlando Cepeda (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:46
- NL runner(s)-up:Willie Mays
Not only did Roger Maris lead the majors in homers, but he broke Babe Ruth's 34-year record and became the single-season home run king. For the next three decades, 61 would become a mythical number in sports, a feat that some thought might never be topped.
62 / 118
- AL leader(s):Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twins)
- Home runs:48
- AL runner(s)-up:Norm Cash
- NL leader(s):Willie Mays (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:49
- NL runner(s)-up:Hank Aaron
Harmon Killebrew began a run of three consecutive home run titles (he also led the American League with 126 runs batted in and 142 strikeouts). Willie Mays also won his second home run crown in 1862 and would lead the National League in homers three of the next four years.
63 / 118
- AL leader(s):Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twins)
- Home runs:45
- AL runner(s)-up:Dick Stuart
- NL leader(s):Willie McCovey, Hank Aaron (San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Braves)
- Home runs:44
- NL runner(s)-up:Willie Mays
Willie McCovey showed promise in his first four seasons in the majors, totaling 64 home runs while playing only about half the year from 1959–62. When McCovey became a full-time staple in the lineup, he became a revelation. Paired alongside Willie Mays through the 1960s, the two sluggers mashed home runs and became one of the game's most iconic duos.
64 / 118
- AL leader(s):Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twins)
- Home runs:49
- AL runner(s)-up:Boog Powell
- NL leader(s):Willie Mays (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Billy Williams
For the second time in three years, the home run leaderboards were dominated by Harmon Killebrew and Willie Mays. Killebrew would clinch two more home run titles, while Mays had one more in store.
65 / 118
- AL leader(s):Tony Conigliaro (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Norm Cash
- NL leader(s):Willie Mays (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:52
- NL runner(s)-up:Willie McCovey
After topping the majors in home runs in 1965, Willie Mays won his second most valuable player award. His 52 homers were a career-best, and he'd finish with 660 total. Tony Conigliaro claimed his only home run title in the American League; Conigliaro had the pop to remain a potent slugger, but in 1967 he was hit in the eye by a pitch and his career was never the same.
66 / 118
- AL leader(s):Frank Robinson (Baltimore Orioles)
- Home runs:49
- AL runner(s)-up:Harmon Killebrew
- NL leader(s):Hank Aaron (Atlanta Braves)
- Home runs:44
- NL runner(s)-up:Dick Allen
It's almost astonishing that it took 11 years for Frank Robinson to win his first home run title. In his first 10 seasons, Robinson topped 30 homers seven times, but 1966 was his pinnacle, as he captured the Triple Crown (122 runs batted in, .316 average). For the third time in his career (he would accomplish the feat four times), Hank Aaron smacked exactly 44 home runs, matching his jersey number.
67 / 118
- AL leader(s):Carl Yastrzemski, Harmon Killebrew (Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Frank Howard
- NL leader(s):Hank Aaron (Atlanta Braves)
- Home runs:39
- NL runner(s)-up:Jim Wynn
Carl Yastrzemski never totaled more than 20 home runs in his first six seasons, but broke out in a big way in 1967. “Yaz” added 121 runs batted in and hit .326, earning his first and only Triple Crown, and most valuable player honors.
68 / 118
- AL leader(s):Frank Howard (Washington Senators)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Willie Horton
- NL leader(s):Willie McCovey (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:36
- NL runner(s)-up:Dick Allen
Another in a recent trend of late bloomers, Frank Howard took home his first home run title at age 31. Willie McCovey won his first of two consecutive home run crowns in the National League.
69 / 118
- AL leader(s):Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twins)
- Home runs:49
- AL runner(s)-up:Frank Howard
- NL leader(s):Willie McCovey (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:45
- NL runner(s)-up:Hank Aaron
Harmon Killebrew's sixth and final home run title came in perhaps his best season. Killebrew also led the majors with 140 runs batted in and notched 145 walks, earning him his first most valuable player award. Willie McCovey hit a career-high 45 home runs and later finished his career with 521 total.
70 / 118
- AL leader(s):Frank Howard (Washington Senators)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Harmon Killebrew
- NL leader(s):Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Reds)
- Home runs:45
- NL runner(s)-up:Billy Williams
Frank Howard continued to get better with age, hitting 44 homers for the second time in three years, while also leading the American league with 126 runs batted in and 132 walks. Howard later retired with an impressive 382 career home runs. Meanwhile, young upstart catcher Johnny Bench had a career year, notching 45 homers and 148 RBI, which earned him the most valuable player award.
71 / 118
- AL leader(s):Bill Melton (Chicago White Sox)
- Home runs:33
- AL runner(s)-up:Reggie Jackson, Norm Cash
- NL leader(s):Willie Stargell (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:48
- NL runner(s)-up:Hank Aaron
Bill Melton was never flashy with the glove, but when healthy could deposit baseballs deep into the stands. Melton became the first Chicago White Sox player to win a home run title outright, while Willie Stargell, at age 31, grabbed his first home run crown.
72 / 118
- AL leader(s):Dick Allen (Chicago White Sox)
- Home runs:37
- AL runner(s)-up:Bobby Murcer
- NL leader(s):Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Reds)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Nate Colbert
Dick Allen was another player who did not lead the league in home runs until his thirties, capturing the American League crown in 1972 at age 30. Allen also won his only most valuable player award that year, and Johnny Bench secured his second MVP trophy with 40 homers and a majors-leading 125 runs batted in.
73 / 118
- AL leader(s):Reggie Jackson (Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Jeff Burroughs, Frank Robinson
- NL leader(s):Willie Stargell (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Home runs:44
- NL runner(s)-up:Davey Johnson
When Reggie Jackson was 23 in 1969, he came two homers short of winning the American League home run title, but many baseball fans knew he was due in the future. That time came four years later when Jackson led the AL in home runs and runs batted in (117) and was named most valuable player. Despite leading the majors in homers and RBI (119), Willie Stargell finished second in National League MVP voting. He later won the award in 1979, at age 39.
74 / 118
- AL leader(s):Dick Allen (Chicago White Sox)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Reggie Jackson
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:36
- NL runner(s)-up:Johnny Bench
In his first full season in the bigs in 1973, Mike Schmidt showed some promise with an 18 home run campaign, but he grew tremendously the next year. Schmidt doubled his homer output and drove in 116 runs, cementing himself as the game's premier third baseman.
75 / 118
- AL leader(s):Reggie Jackson, George Scott (Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:36
- AL runner(s)-up:John Mayberry
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:38
- NL runner(s)-up:Dave Kingman
George Scott's career-best home run output tied him with Reggie Jackson for the American League title (Scott also led the AL with 109 runs batted in). Mike Schmidt led the majors in homers for the second consecutive season but also had a league-high 180 strikeouts.
76 / 118
- AL leader(s):Graig Nettles (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:32
- AL runner(s)-up:Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:38
- NL runner(s)-up:Dave Kingman
Mike Schmidt wrapped up his trifecta of home run crowns (he also led the majors in strikeouts from 1974–76). In the American League, Graig Nettles added his name to the list of New York Yankees to win a home run title, belting a career-high 32 dingers.
77 / 118
- AL leader(s):Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:39
- AL runner(s)-up:Graig Nettles, Bobby Bonds
- NL leader(s):George Foster (Cincinnati Reds)
- Home runs:52
- NL runner(s)-up:Jeff Burroughs
This year saw a pair of first-timers win home run titles. Jim Rice, a future Hall of Famer, hit a then-career-best 39 homers, while George Foster, a platoon player for much of his career, fulfilled his potential in not only topping the 50 home run barrier but leading the majors with 149 runs batted in. Foster also took home most valuable player award hardware.
78 / 118
- AL leader(s):Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:46
- AL runner(s)-up:Larry Hisle, Don Baylor
- NL leader(s):George Foster (Cincinnati Reds)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Greg Luzinski
In a repeat of 1977, Jim Rice and George Foster were kings of the long ball. Rice also led the American League with 146 runs batted in and earned the most valuable player award. Foster topped the National league with 120 runs batted in.
79 / 118
- AL leader(s):Gorman Thomas (Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:45
- AL runner(s)-up:Fred Lynn, Jim Rice
- NL leader(s):Dave Kingman (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:48
- NL runner(s)-up:Mike Schmidt
If you ever searched for the prototypical image of a late 1970s–early 80s ballplayer, you'd likely find Gorman Thomas. With bushy hair and a thick mustache that would make Tom Selleck envious, Thomas personified a baseball slugger and backed it up with his 1979 home run title. Dave Kingman, one of the game's all-time free swingers, smacked a career-high 48 homers and also led the National League with 131 strikeouts.
80 / 118
- AL leader(s):Reggie Jackson, Ben Oglivie (New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:41
- AL runner(s)-up:Gorman Thomas
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:48
- NL runner(s)-up:Bob Horner
Ben Oglivie is one of the forgotten ballplayers of the 1980s, but he was pretty good in his own right. A three-time All-Star, Oglivie surpassed 40 home runs for the first and only time in his career in 1980, tying Reggie Jackson and putting his name alongside Mike Schmidt, who captured the National League crown. Schmidt added 121 runs batted in and won his first most valuable player award.
81 / 118
- AL leader(s):Bobby Grich, Eddie Murray, Dwight Evans, Tony Armas (California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:22
- AL runner(s)-up:Gorman Thomas, Greg Luzinski
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:31
- NL runner(s)-up:Andre Dawson
Due to an almost two-month player strike, the 1981 season saw a crowded home run leaderboard in the American League. That allowed Bobby Grich, Eddie Murray, and Dwight Evans to win their only home run titles.
82 / 118
- AL leader(s):Reggie Jackson, Gorman Thomas (California Angels, Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:39
- AL runner(s)-up:Dave Winfield
- NL leader(s):Dave Kingman (New York Mets)
- Home runs:37
- NL runner(s)-up:Dale Murphy
In the National League, Dave Kingman became the first New York Mets slugger to win a home run crown. Over in the American League, Reggie Jackson won his fourth and final home run title, and would finish his Hall of Fame career with 563 homers.
83 / 118
- AL leader(s):Jim Rice (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:39
- AL runner(s)-up:Tony Armas
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Dale Murphy
After three consecutive seasons with 24 homers or less and failing to reach 100 runs batted in, Jim Rice returned in a big way in 1983. Rice clobbered 39 home runs and led the majors with 126 RBI, earning his third and final home run crown. Mike Schmidt reached 40 homers for the second time in his career and won his sixth home run title.
84 / 118
- AL leader(s):Tony Armas (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Dave Kingman
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt, Dale Murphy (Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves)
- Home runs:36
- NL runner(s)-up:Gary Carter
After tying for the home run lead with several players during the strike-shortened 1981 season, Tony Armas reached the mountaintop all by himself three years later. His career highs of 43 homers and 123 runs batted in led the majors. Later, his son, Tony Armas, pitched 10 seasons in the majors.
85 / 118
- AL leader(s):Darrell Evans (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:40
- AL runner(s)-up:Carlton Fisk
- NL leader(s):Dale Murphy (Atlanta Braves)
- Home runs:37
- NL runner(s)-up:Dave Parker
It took Darrell Evans 17 years before he led a league in home runs. Before retiring in 1989, Evans went out with a bang, hitting 103 home runs from ages 38–40. He finished with 414 career home runs. Dale Murphy, who hit 398 career homers, picked up his second straight home run title in the National League.
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- AL leader(s):Jesse Barfield (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Home runs:40
- AL runner(s)-up:Dave Kingman
- NL leader(s):Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:37
- NL runner(s)-up:Glenn Davis, Dave Parker
Mike Schmidt collected his eighth and final home run title in 1986. In the American League, Jesse Barfield won his only home run crown.
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- AL leader(s):Mark McGwire (Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:49
- AL runner(s)-up:George Bell
- NL leader(s):Andre Dawson (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:49
- NL runner(s)-up:Dale Murphy
For the first of many times, Mark McGwire etched his name into the home run record books in 1987. As a rookie, McGwire pounded away 49 homers to lead the majors, good enough to win the Rookie of the Year award. Andre Dawson won his only home run title, also hitting 49 homers while leading the majors with 137 runs batted in. Dawson was named most valuable player and eventually landed in the Hall of Fame, somewhere McGwire is still awaiting an invite to.
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- AL leader(s):José Canseco (Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:42
- AL runner(s)-up:Fred McGriff
- NL leader(s):Darryl Strawberry (New York Mets)
- Home runs:39
- NL runner(s)-up:Glenn Davis
José Canseco, the second half of Oakland's “Bash Brothers” with Mark McGwire, won his first home run title in 1988, and also topped the majors with 124 runs batted in. Canseco's career would later become marred by steroids; the National League leader, Darryl Strawberry, also had a checkered career. Despite Strawberry's picturesque uppercut swing, encounters with drugs and crime derailed his promise.
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- AL leader(s):Fred McGriff (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Home runs:36
- AL runner(s)-up:Joe Carter
- NL leader(s):Kevin Mitchell (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Howard Johnson
One of the most consistent (and underappreciated) power hitters of his generation, Fred McGriff amassed 493 home runs in his career. He never posted gaudy numbers like some of his contemporaries (who were aided by performance-enhancing drugs) but could be penciled in for about 30 homers each year. Long considered a player who did not fulfill his promise, Kevin Mitchell exceeded expectations by leading the majors in homers and runs batted in (125) in 1989, good enough to earn the most valuable player award.
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- AL leader(s):Cecil Fielder (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:51
- AL runner(s)-up:Mark McGwire
- NL leader(s):Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Darryl Strawberry
Few players were more physically memorable in the 1990s than Cecil Fielder. A round, but extremely powerful presence, Fielder burst onto the scene in 1990, his first actual full season, and led the majors in homers and runs batted in (132). Over his first eight years in the majors, Ryne Sandberg wasn't considered a great power hitter, but he found his home run stroke at age 29, hitting 30 homers for the first time, then followed that with his first home run crown at age 30.
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- AL leader(s):José Canseco, Cecil Fielder (Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Cal Ripken, Jr.
- NL leader(s):Howard Johnson (New York Mets)
- Home runs:38
- NL runner(s)-up:Matt Williams
Cecil Fielder and José Canseco both won their last home run titles in 1991, although they'd hit plenty more over their careers. Fielder finished with 319 total, while Canesco netted 462 over 17 years. Howard Johnson, a power-swinging third baseman for the New York Mets, won his only home run crown.
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- AL leader(s):Juan González (Texas Rangers)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Mark McGwire
- NL leader(s):Fred McGriff (San Diego Padres)
- Home runs:35
- NL runner(s)-up:Barry Bonds
With a chiseled frame, Juan González had the look of a prototypical slugger. In only his second full season, he reached the 40-home run plateau, a feat he'd copy four more times over his career. Fred McGriff, in the midst of a seven-year run of 30 or more homers, won his second and final home run title.
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- AL leader(s):Juan González (Texas Rangers)
- Home runs:46
- AL runner(s)-up:Ken Griffey Jr.
- NL leader(s):Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:46
- NL runner(s)-up:David Justice
Forty-six of Juan Gonzalez's 434 career home runs came in 1993, the year of his final home run crown. Meanwhile, Barry Bonds led the league in homers for the first time in his career; surprisingly, even though he is baseball's all-time home run king, Bonds led the National League in home runs only twice.
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- AL leader(s):Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners)
- Home runs:40
- AL runner(s)-up:Frank Thomas
- NL leader(s):Matt Williams (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:43
- NL runner(s)-up:Jeff Bagwell
Even though the 1994 season was cut short shortened by a players' strike, home run totals were still through the roof. Matt Williams notched his only 40-plus home run season, socking 43 dingers in only 112 games.
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- AL leader(s):Albert Belle (Cleveland Indians)
- Home runs:50
- AL runner(s)-up:Jay Buhner, Frank Thomas
- NL leader(s):Dante Bichette (Colorado Rockies)
- Home runs:40
- NL runner(s)-up:Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa
Albert Belle was the owner of a batting stance that signaled a man about to inflict harm on a baseball. Violently wagging his bat ready to uncork, Belle crushed 50 home runs in 1995, as Major League Baseball returned form a work stoppage. Dante Bichette won his only home run title and led the majors in runs batted in (128) in the National League.
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- AL leader(s):Mark McGwire (Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:52
- AL runner(s)-up:Brady Anderson
- NL leader(s):Andrés Galarraga (Colorado Rockies)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield
Nine years after his first home run crown, Mark McGwire climbed back to the top of the leaderboard with a then-career-best 52 homers. Andrés Galarraga, another powerful slugger in the heart of the Colorado Rockies' lineup, won his only home run title while leading the majors with 150 runs batted in.
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- AL leader(s):Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners)
- Home runs:56
- AL runner(s)-up:Tino Martinez
- NL leader(s):Larry Walker (Colorado Rockies)
- Home runs:49
- NL runner(s)-up:Jeff Bagwell
If you wanted to mimic the most picturesque swing, chances are you'd take Ken Griffey Jr.'s approach in the box. Like watching poetry in motion, Griffey had an almost perfect swing that was equal parts power and finesse. His 56 home runs in 1997 had baseball fans frenzied in thinking Roger Maris' record of 61 could be broken. In the National League, Larry Walker became the third different Rockie in three years to lead the league in homers.
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- AL leader(s):Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners)
- Home runs:56
- AL runner(s)-up:Albert Belle
- NL leader(s):Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Home runs:70
- NL runner(s)-up:Sammy Sosa
Often considered the season that saved baseball and brought fans back to stadiums (only later to be remembered for steroid scandals), 1998 saw Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa take aim at the single-season home run record. McGwire ended up winning the chase, while Sosa also topped Roger Maris' mark, hitting 66 homers. Griffey for the second straight year, hit 56.
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- AL leader(s):Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Mariners)
- Home runs:48
- AL runner(s)-up:Rafael Palmeiro
- NL leader(s):Mark McGwire (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Home runs:65
- NL runner(s)-up:Sammy Sosa
Ken Griffey Jr. won his third consecutive American League home run title, while Mark McGwire followed up his 70 homer season with 65. McGwire only played two more seasons before retiring with 583 career home runs, but his legacy has been tainted by the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. McGwire remains on the outside, looking in at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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- AL leader(s):Troy Glaus (Anaheim Angels)
- Home runs:47
- AL runner(s)-up:Jason Giambi, Frank Thomas
- NL leader(s):Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:50
- NL runner(s)-up:Barry Bonds
Sammy Sosa finally took home his first home run title, while Troy Glaus also captured his first crown. Glaus finished with 320 homers and was a four-time All-Star, but will always be remembered in southern California for his 2002 World Series most valuable player performance, which gave the Anaheim Angels their first championship.
101 / 118
- AL leader(s):Alex Rodriguez (Texas Rangers)
- Home runs:52
- AL runner(s)-up:Jim Thome
- NL leader(s):Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants)
- Home runs:73
- NL runner(s)-up:Sammy Sosa
Lost in the shuffle of the humongous home run titles being posted in the late 1990s, Alex Rodriguez belted 40 or more homers each season from 1998–2000. A-Rod finally won his first crown in 2001, starting a run of three consecutive titles. But Rodriguez's feats were outshined again, as Barry Bonds was the talk of this season, as he broke Mark McGwire's single-season record with 73 homers.
102 / 118
- AL leader(s):Alex Rodriguez (Texas Rangers)
- Home runs:57
- AL runner(s)-up:Jim Thome
- NL leader(s):Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs)
- Home runs:49
- NL runner(s)-up:Barry Bonds
The home run leaders from the late 1990s and early 2000s are synonymous with power, but also controversy. Many admitted to or were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, making some of these gaudy numbers questionable in the eyes of fans. Still, Alex Rodriguez's 57 homers in 2002 were the most in the majors, as were his 142 runs batted in. Somewhat controversially, Rodriguez playing for a last-place team, came in second in most valuable player voting.
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- AL leader(s):Alex Rodriguez (Texas Rangers)
- Home runs:47
- AL runner(s)-up:Carlos Delgado
- NL leader(s):Jim Thome (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Richie Sexson, Barry Bonds
Alex Rodriguez only hit 47 homers in 2003, but that was enough to capture a most valuable player award many thought he was worthy of the year before. In the National League, Jim Thome, who spent the first 12 years of his career in Cleveland, won the home run title in his first year in the NL It was Thome's only home run crown, but his 612 career homers helped him gain entry to the Hall of Fame in 2018.
104 / 118
- AL leader(s):Manny Ramírez (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Paul Konerko, David Ortiz
- NL leader(s):Adrián Beltré (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Home runs:48
- NL runner(s)-up:Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols
In a season that will forever be remembered in Boston Red Sox history, Manny Ramírez not only was a driving force in carrying the team to a World Series title, but he led the American League in home runs for the first (and only) time of his career. Considering Ramirez hit 555 homers in his career, that is almost as shocking as the Red Sox overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the American League Championship Series. Ramirez's countrymate, Adrián Beltré, also collected his first (and only) home run crown.
105 / 118
- AL leader(s):Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:48
- AL runner(s)-up:David Ortiz
- NL leader(s):Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves)
- Home runs:51
- NL runner(s)-up:Derrek Lee
Alex Rodriguez, one year after being acquired by the New York Yankees, became the club's first home run leader since Reggie Jackson in 1980. Andruw Jones, in his 10th major league season, won his lone home run title. Jones, a stellar defensive player (he won 10 Gold Gloves) also hit 434 career home runs.
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- AL leader(s):David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox)
- Home runs:54
- AL runner(s)-up:Jermaine Dye
- NL leader(s):Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:58
- NL runner(s)-up:Albert Pujols
Another member of the club of surprising names who only won one home run title, David Ortiz finally reached the apex at age 30. His 541 career homers make home a solid bet to make the Hall of Fame. The National League leader from this year, Ryan Howard, also led the majors in runs batted in (149) and won the most valuable player award in his first full season in the majors.
107 / 118
- AL leader(s):Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:54
- AL runner(s)-up:Carlos Peña
- NL leader(s):Prince Fielder (Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:50
- NL runner(s)-up:Ryan Howard
Prince Fielder became part of the first father-son duo to win a home run title (Cecil won in 1990) and was one of the most intriguing physical specimens of modern baseball. Although he weighed just under 300 pounds, Fielder was noticeably spry and finished his career with 319 homers. Alex Rodriguez won his fifth and final home run crown while picking up his third most valuable player award.
108 / 118
- AL leader(s):Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:37
- AL runner(s)-up:Carlos Quentin
- NL leader(s):Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Home runs:48
- NL runner(s)-up:Adam Dunn
One of the best hitters of his generation, Miguel Cabrera earned his first of two home run titles (he entered this season with 465 in his career). In an era where most sluggers are pure power without finesse, Cabrera has led the league in batting average four times and holds a career average well over .310.
109 / 118
- AL leader(s):Carlos Peña, Mark Teixeira (Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees)
- Home runs:39
- AL runner(s)-up:Jason Bay, Aaron Hill
- NL leader(s):Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Home runs:47
- NL runner(s)-up:Prince Fielder
Followers of “Moneyball” will remember Carlos Peña's role as a powerful slugger, albeit one who lacked consistency at the plate. Peña lived up to that billing in 2009, hitting 39 homers, but only batting .227. Mark Teixeira, who shared the American League crown with Peña, fared a bit better, hitting .292.
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- AL leader(s):José Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Home runs:54
- AL runner(s)-up:Paul Konerko
- NL leader(s):Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Home runs:42
- NL runner(s)-up:Adam Dunn
José Bautista bounced around four teams before finally finding a home with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he became their most popular hitter of the last decade. Bautista won back-to-back home run titles and hit 288 total during ten seasons north of the border. Albert Pujols, one of this generation's greatest offensive players, won his second consecutive home run crown. Pujols entered 2019 with 633 career home runs, with a lifetime batting average over .300.
111 / 118
- AL leader(s):José Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Home runs:43
- AL runner(s)-up:Curtis Granderson
- NL leader(s):Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Home runs:39
- NL runner(s)-up:Prince Fielder
While José Bautista was Mr. Blue Jay the last decade, Matt Kemp was the heartbeat of the Los Angeles Dodgers' offensive over the same period. Kemp, along with hitting 39 homers in 2011, led the majors with 126 runs batted in. In 10 years with the Dodgers over two stints, he hit .292 with 203 home runs.
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- AL leader(s):Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
- Home runs:44
- AL runner(s)-up:Curtis Granderson, Josh Hamilton
- NL leader(s):Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:41
- NL runner(s)-up:Giancarlo Stanton
Ever since he won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2007, Ryan Braun was hailed as one of the sport's future cornerstones. After winning a most valuable player award in 2011, Braun picked up his first home run title in 2012. However, he would soon fall from grace after getting suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. Braun still suits up for the Milwaukee Brewers but is far from the all-around offensive threat he was in his heyday.
113 / 118
- AL leader(s):Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)
- Home runs:53
- AL runner(s)-up:Miguel Cabrera
- NL leader(s):Pedro Álvarez, Paul Goldschmidt (Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Home runs:36
- NL runner(s)-up:Jay Bruce
Chris Davis was recently in the headlines for going 62 plate appearances without a hit. Connecting with the baseball used to be much easier for Davis, who hit no less than 26 home runs from 2012–17. Pedro Álvarez is one of the more surprising names in recent years to win a home run title, as he is currently out of the majors after hitting only nine homers from 2017–18.
114 / 118
- AL leader(s):Nelson Cruz (Baltimore Orioles)
- Home runs:40
- AL runner(s)-up:Chris Carter
- NL leader(s):Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins)
- Home runs:37
- NL runner(s)-up:Anthony Rizzo
In 2013, Nelson Cruz was suspended for 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs. The next season, he led the American League in home runs. Needless to say, there was some debate over whether Cruz's accomplishment came cleanly. Giancarlo Stanton won his first home run title with far less controversy and criticism.
115 / 118
- AL leader(s):Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)
- Home runs:47
- AL runner(s)-up:Nelson Cruz
- NL leader(s):Nolan Arenado, Bryce Harper (Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals)
- Home runs:42
- NL runner(s)-up:Carlos González
In 2015, two of the game's brightest stars tied for the National League home run title. Nolan Arenado, perhaps baseball's best third baseman, led the majors with 130 runs batted in, while Bryce Harper, who also hit 42 home runs, won his first and only (so far) home run crown at age 22.
116 / 118
- AL leader(s):Mark Trumbo (Baltimore Orioles)
- Home runs:47
- AL runner(s)-up:Nelson Cruz
- NL leader(s):Nolan Arenado, Chris Carter (Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers)
- Home runs:41
- NL runner(s)-up:Kris Bryant
The Baltimore Orioles of the mid-2010s were full of powerful sluggers who struck out a lot. Alongside Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo could belt a ball out of the yard with a flick of the wrist, but also had a giant hole in his swing at times; he struck out 170 times in 2016. Nolan Arenado once again led the National League in home runs and the majors in runs batted in (133), while another free swinger, Chris Carter, tied Arenado with 41 homers.
117 / 118
- AL leader(s):Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
- Home runs:52
- AL runner(s)-up:Khris Davis
- NL leader(s):Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins)
- Home runs:59
- NL runner(s)-up:Cody Bellinger
In one of the more fascinating rookie seasons ever, 6-foot-7 Aaron Judge was a literal giant in the batter's box, mashing 52 home runs. Judge became an All-Star, won Rookie of the Year, and finished second in the most valuable player award race—and also became an immediate fan favorite in the Bronx. His future teammate, Giancarlo Stanton, had a career year, belting 59 homers.
118 / 118
- AL leader(s):Khris Davis (Oakland Athletics)
- Home runs:48
- AL runner(s)-up:J. D. Martinez
- NL leader(s):Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)
- Home runs:38
- NL runner(s)-up:Trevor Story
For the third time in six years, a Chris/Khris Davis won the American League home run title. Khris Davis had actually hit 40 or more home runs in his previous two seasons as well, but solidified himself as one of the game's top sluggers with his 2018 campaign, as the Oakland Athletics made a surprising run to the postseason. For the third time in four years, Nolan Arenado won a home run title, and every year between 2015 and 2018, the 28 year old has won a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger award, and been named to the All-Star team each season.
