The Home Run

[NYY #23]

The home run, the long ball, round-tripper, four-base knock, goner, blast, moonshot, tater, or the tape-measure shot. The year was 1920, and with young slugger Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox breaking the single season record the dead ball era is over.

January 6, 1920, Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees in a transaction described in the Boston Globe as follows:

"I should have preferred to take players in exchange for Ruth, but no club could have given me the equivalent in men without wrecking itself, and so the deal had to be made on a cash basis. No other club could afford to give me the amount the Yankees have paid for him, and I don't mind saying I think they are taking a gamble. With this money the Boston club can now go into the market and buy other players and have a stronger and better team in all respects than we would have had if Ruth had remained with us."

From Babe Ruth to Roger Maris to Hank Aaron to Sammy Sosa to Mark McGwire to Barry Bonds to Alex Rodriguez. 59-60-61-70-73. 714-715-762. "Chicks dig the long ball." From the dead ball era to the steroid era. From the "Sultan of Swat" to "Hammerin' Hank", 25 players have hit 500 or more home runs in a season. Murderer's Row to the Blake Street Bombers. Frank "Home Run" Baker to Steve "Bye Bye" Balboni.

Not all home run hitters are created equal of course, but the home run is one of the most popular stats in baseball. So for something hopefully different, we'll follow the home run through the history of baseball, and pretend there is no such thing as steroids, asterisks, or other home run controversies.


We'll go year by year starting in 1920, with pretty much the default settings. The two main changes are recalc is off and players won't retire according to history, so we'll be living on the edge so to speak. In the end, who will prevail - Ruth, Aaron, Bonds, or someone else entirely. Stay tuned...

[NYY #23]

First, some background, the year 1920. Young Babe Ruth just set the single season home run record with 29 in a season! The era of inside-the-park home runs is over, and the majority of home runs are clearing the fence. In the history books here is where we stand right now:

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 29 (1919)
2) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
3) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
4) Fred Pfeffer - 25 (1884)
5) Gavvy Cravath - 24 (1915)
6) Abner Dalrymple - 22 (1884)
7) Cap Anson - 21 (1884)
8) Frank Shulte - 21 (1911)
9) Sam Thompson - 20 (1889)
10) Billy O'Brien - 19 (1887)
11) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1914)
12) Harry Stovey - 19 (1889)
13) Bug Holliday - 19 (1889)
14) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1913)
15) Ed Delahanty - 19 (1893
16) Fred Luderhus - 18 (1913)
17) Jerry Denny - 18 (1889)
18) Sam Thompson - 18 (1895)
19) Vic Saier - 18 (1914)
20) Hugh Duffy - 18 (1894)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
2) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
3) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
4) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1919)
5) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
6) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
7) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
8) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
9) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
10) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
11) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
12) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)
13) Fred Pfeffer - 94 (1882-1897)
14) Frank Schulte - 92 (1904-1918)
15) Herman Long - 91 (1889-1904)
16) Jake Beckley - 86 (1888-1907)
17) Bill Dahlen - 84 (1891-1911)
18) Fred Luderus - 84 (1909-1919)
19) Nap Lajoie - 83 (1896-1916)
20) Sherry Magee - 83 (1904-1919)

[NYY #23]

(I hate to have to go back and edit, but I realized I made one mistake, leaving free agency on, so I went back and started over. Pretty similar results, Ruth hit 9 more, but I feel better with Rogers Hornsby not switching teams via free agency.)

Babe Ruth's first season as a Yankee was a success, belting 59 home runs to set the new single season home run record. With his display of power Ruth moved up to 6th place on the all-time home run list with 108, and the leader among active players. Ruth is 30 home runs behind all-time home run king Roger Connor, who Ruth could pass during the 1921 season.

1920 is the year we begin tracking two new categories, most home runs by a rookie, which currently goes to another Yankee, Bob Meusel who slugged 16 homers. The Yankees led the league with 117 home runs, led by Ruth and Meusel.

1920 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 59
2) George Kelly - NYG - 24
3) Ken Williams - SLA - 21
4) Irish Meusel - PHI - 20
5) George Sisler - SLA - 20
6) Elmer Smith - CLE - 19
7) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 17
8) Cy Williams - PHI - 17
9) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16
10) Happy Felsch - CHA - 15

1920 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Bob Meusel - NYY - 16

1920 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 117
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
2) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
3) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
4) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
5) Fred Pfeffer - 25 (1884)
6) Gavvy Cravath - 24 (1915)
7) Bob Meusel - NYY - 23 (1920)
8) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23 (1920)
9) Abner Dalrymple - 22 (1884)
10) Cap Anson - 21 (1884)
11) Frank Shulte - 21 (1911)
12) Sam Thompson - 20 (1889)
13) Billy O'Brien - 19 (1887)
14) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1914)
15) Harry Stovey - 19 (1889)
16) Bug Holliday - 19 (1889)
17) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1913)
18) Ed Delahanty - 19 (1893
19) Irish Meusel - PHI - 18 (1920)
20) Fred Luderhus - 18 (1913)
21) Jerry Denny - 18 (1889)
22) Sam Thompson - 18 (1895)
23) Vic Saier - 18 (1914)
24) Hugh Duffy - 18 (1894)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
2) Russ Wrightstone - PHI - 13 (1920)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
2) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
3) Boston Beaneaters - 103 (1894)
4) Philadelphia Phillies - 88 (1920)
5) Philadelphia Phillies - 80 (1893)
6) Philadelphia Phillies - 73 (1913)
7) New York Giants - 73 (1920)
8) St. Louis Browns - 70 (1920)
9) Philadelphia Phillies - 62 (1914)
10) Philadelphia Phillies - 60 (1911)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
2) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
3) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
4) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
5) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
6) Babe Ruth - 108 (1914-1920)
7) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
8) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
9) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
10) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
11) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
12) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
13) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)
14) Fred Pfeffer - 94 (1882-1897)
15) Frank Schulte - 92 (1904-1918)
16) Herman Long - 91 (1889-1904)
17) Jake Beckley - 86 (1888-1907)
18) Bill Dahlen - 84 (1891-1911)
19) Fred Luderus - 84 (1909-1920)
20) Nap Lajoie - 83 (1896-1916)
21) Sherry Magee - 83 (1904-1919)

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth's second season as a Yankee was even better than his first, slugging a new record 82 home runs to set the new single season home run record. Ruth now has 190 career home runs, and is the new home run king by a wide margin. No other active player has more than 84 home runs, and he is 52 homers ahead of second place Roger Connor. In a remarkable season, Ruth hit .434 with a .611 OBP, driving in 182 runs, while scoring another 178. His efforts only went so far, as the Yankees fell one game short of the pennant.

Frank Parkinson of the Phillies set the new rookie home run record with 19. The Yankees led by Ruth set the new team record for home runs in the season with 159.

1921 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82
2) George Sisler - SLA - 25
3) Happy Felsch - CHA - 23
4) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 23
5) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23
6) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19
7) George Kelly - NYG - 18
8) Bob Meusel - NYY - 18
9) Irish Meusel - PHI - 18
10) Les Mann - PHA - 17

1921 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19

1921 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 159
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
3) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
4) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
5) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
6) Fred Pfeffer - 25 (1884)
7) George Sisler - SLA - 25 (1921)
8) Gavvy Cravath - 24 (1915)
9) Bob Meusel - NYY - 23 (1920)
10) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23 (1920)
11) Happy Felsch - CHA - 23 (1921)
12) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 23 (1921)
13) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23 (1921)
14) Abner Dalrymple - 22 (1884)
15) Cap Anson - 21 (1884)
16) Frank Shulte - 21 (1911)
17) Sam Thompson - 20 (1889)
18) Billy O'Brien - 19 (1887)
19) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1914)
20) Harry Stovey - 19 (1889)
21) Bug Holliday - 19 (1889)
22) Gavvy Cravath - 19 (1913)
23) Ed Delahanty - 19 (1893)
24) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
2) Earl Sheely - CHA - 17 (1921)
3) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
4) Lew Fonseca - CIN - 14 (1921)
5) Russ Wrightstone - PHI - 13 (1920)
6) Bing Miller - WAS - 13 (1921)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
3) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
4) Boston Beaneaters - 103 (1894)
5) Philadelphia Phillies - 88 (1920)
6) Philadelphia Phillies - 82 (1921)
7) Philadelphia Phillies - 80 (1893)
8) Philadelphia Phillies - 73 (1913)
9) New York Giants - 73 (1920)
10) St. Louis Cardinals - 72 (1921)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 180 (1914-1921)
2) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
3) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
4) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
5) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
6) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
7) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
8) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
9) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
10) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
11) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
12) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
13) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)
14) Fred Pfeffer - 94 (1882-1897)
15) Frank Schulte - 92 (1904-1918)
16) Herman Long - 91 (1889-1904)
17) Jake Beckley - 86 (1888-1907)
18) Bill Dahlen - 84 (1891-1911)
19) Fred Luderus - 84 (1909-1921)
20) Nap Lajoie - 83 (1896-1916)
21) Sherry Magee - 83 (1904-1919)

[dj_morton]

I like the concept of this. Huge season for Ruth.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by dj_morton

I like the concept of this. Huge season for Ruth.

Thanks. Trying to do something a little different. It was quite the season for Ruth. To be honest, I was a little disappointed someone posted such a huge season the second one in. Definitely setting the bar real high. I was beginning to worry about OOTP X, but things did settle down to normal levels, so it seems like it was just one of those things that don't happen too often, but are statistically possible.

[NYY #23]

Rookie Joe Hauser of the Philadelphia Athletics made an impact his first season, blasting 34 home runs, which set the new record for most home runs by a rookie, while finishing third overall, behind Babe Ruth's 55 and Rogers Hornsby's 37. The New York Yankees again led the league with 127 home runs.

Seven players joined the ranks of the top 20 single season home runs, with eleven players falling off, with seasons ranging from 19 to 22.

Three active players joined the career home run list, with Rogers Hornsby making the highest debut in tenth place with 104 career home runs. Cy Williams and Joe Jackson also joined the top twenty all-time home run list. Off the list are Bill Dahlen and Fred Luderus, each with 84, and Nap Lajoie and Sherry Magee, each with 83.

Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 55 home runs to pass 300 for his career.

1922 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55
2) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37
3) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34
4) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30
5) George Kelly - NYG - 28
6) Goose Goslin - WAS - 27
7) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24
8) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 21
9) Happy Felsch - CHA - 20
10) Joe Jackson - CHA - 20

1922 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Joe Hauser - PHA - 34

1922 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 127
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
4) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
5) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
6) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30 (1922)
7) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
8) George Kelly - NYG - 28 (1922)
9) Goose Goslin - WAS - 27 (1922)
10) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
11) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
12) Fred Pfeffer - 25 (1884)
13) George Sisler - SLA - 25 (1921)
14) Gavvy Cravath - 24 (1915)
15) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
16) Bob Meusel - NYY - 23 (1920)
17) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23 (1920)
18) Happy Felsch - CHA - 23 (1921)
19) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 23 (1921)
20) Elmer Smith - CLE - 23 (1921)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
4) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
5) Earl Sheely - CHA - 17 (1921)
6) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
7) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 16 (1922)
8) Lew Fonseca - CIN - 14 (1921)
9) Russ Wrightstone - PHI - 13 (1920)
10) Bing Miller - WAS - 13 (1921)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
3) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
4) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
5) St. Louis Cardinals - 109 (1922)
6) Boston Beaneaters - 103 (1894)
7) Philadelphia Phillies - 98 (1922)
8) Philadelphia Athletics - 97 (1922)
9) New York Giants - 94 (1922)
10) Philadelphia Phillies - 88 (1920)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 245 (1914-1922)
2) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
3) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
4) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
5) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
6) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
7) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
8) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
9) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
10) Rogers Hornsby - 104 (1915-1922)
11) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
12) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
13) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
14) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)
15) Fred Pfeffer - 94 (1882-1897)
16) Frank Schulte - 92 (1904-1918)
17) Cy Williams - 92 (1912-1922)
18) Herman Long - 91 (1889-1904)
19) Joe Jackson - 87 (1908-1922)
20) Jake Beckley - 86 (1888-1907)

[Al_Boe]

Love it so far! Keep going, GO BABE!

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth once again led the league for the fifth straight year. It was also the fourth time Ruth hit more than 50 home runs in a season, the only player to ever hit more than 50 home runs. The all-time career home run leader needs to hit just 4 more home runs to reach 300. The Giant's Hack Wilson led all rookies with 19 dingers. Once again a team from New York led the league in home runs, this time the Giants with 124.

Only three players from the 1800's, Ned Williamson, Buck Freeman, and Fred Pfeffer are still on the single season home run leaderboard.

Rogers Hornsby moved up to fourth place on the all-time home run list, with 125. In his final season Happy Felsch moved into 20th place on the all-time home run list with 89 career home runs.

Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 4 home runs to pass 300 for his career.

1923 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36
3) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32
4) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 28
5) Ben Paschal - CHN - 25
6) Goose Goslin - WAS - 24
7) Bob Meusel - NYY - 23
8) Bing Miller - WAS - 22
9) Earl Smith - NYG - 22
10) Cy Williams - PHI - 22

1923 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Hack Wilson - NYG - 19

1923 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Giants - 124
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
5) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
6) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36 (1923)
7) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
8) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1923)
9) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30 (1922)
10) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
11) George Kelly - NYG - 28 (1922)
12) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 28 (1923)
13) Goose Goslin - WAS - 27 (1922)
14) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
15) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
16) Fred Pfeffer - 25 (1884)
17) George Sisler - SLA - 25 (1921)
18) Ben Paschal - CHN - 25 (1923)
19) Goose Goslin - WAS - 24 (1923)
20) Gavvy Cravath - 24 (1915)
21) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
4) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
5) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
6) Earl Sheely - CHA - 17 (1921)
7) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
8) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 16 (1922)
9) Harry Rice - SLA - 15 (1923)
10) Lew Fonseca - CIN - 14 (1921)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
3) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
4) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
5) New York Yankees - 118 (1923)
6) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
7) Philadelphia Phillies - 112 (1923)
8) St. Louis Cardinals - 109 (1922)
9) Boston Beaneaters - 103 (1894)
10) St. Louis Cardinals - 102 (1923)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 296 (1914-1923)
2) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
3) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
4) Rogers Hornsby - 125 (1915-1923)
5) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
6) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
7) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
8) Cy Williams - 114 (1912-1923)
9) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
10) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
11) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
12) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
13) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
14) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
15) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)
16) Joe Jackson - 95 (1908-1923)
17) Fred Pfeffer - 94 (1882-1897)
18) Frank Schulte - 92 (1904-1918)
19) Herman Long - 91 (1889-1904)
20) Happy Felsch - 89 (1915-1923)

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth notched another milestone when he hit the 300th home run of his career during the 1924 season. With 49 home runs for the year, Ruth shot past 300, and is now 55 home runs away from 400. Ruth has hit 55 or more home runs in a season twice in his career, so it can't be ruled out that Ruth will hit 400 in 1925.

Hack Wilson was second in the league with 35 home runs, and Joe Hauser is quickly growing comfortable on the top of the leaderboards after hitting 32 home runs this year.

After being overtaken last year by the Giants, the Yankees once again led the league in home runs with 121. Two rookies tied atop the leaderboard, as Al Simmons of the Athletics and Glenn Wright of the Pirates each hit 21 homers, giving Pennsylvania fans two young home run hitters.

Rogers Hornsby moved up to second place on the all-time career home run list. Fred Pfeffer, Frank Schulte, Herman Long, and Happy Felsch dropped off the career leaderboard.

Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 55 home runs to pass 400 for his career.

1924 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49
2) Hack Wilson - NYG - 35
3) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32
4) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29
5) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 29
6) Bob Meusel - NYY - 23
7) Rogers Hornsby - STL - 22
8) Pat Collins - SLA - 21
9) Al Simmons - PHA - 21
10) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21

1924 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Al Simmons - PHA/Glenn Wright - PIT - 21

1924 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 121
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
6) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
7) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36 (1923)
8) Hack Wilson - NYG - 35 (1924)
9) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
10) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1923)
11) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1924)
12) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30 (1922)
13) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
14) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29 (1924)
15) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 29 (1924)
16) George Kelly - NYG - 28 (1922)
17) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 28 (1923)
18) Goose Goslin - WAS - 27 (1922)
19) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
20) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
4) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
5) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
6) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
7) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
8) Earl Sheely - CHA - 17 (1921)
9) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
10) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 16 (1922)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
3) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
4) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
5) New York Yankees - 121 (1924)
6) New York Yankees - 118 (1923)
7) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
8) Philadelphia Phillies - 112 (1923)
9) New York Giants - 111 (1924)
10) St. Louis Cardinals - 109 (1922)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 345 (1914-1924)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 147 (1915-1924)
3) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
4) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
5) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
6) Cy Williams - 122 (1912-1924)
7) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
8) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
9) Bob Meusel - 110 (1920-1924)
10) Joe Jackson - 109 (1908-1924)
11) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
12) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
13) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
14) Ed Delahanty - 101 (1888-1903)
15) Honus Wagner - 101 (1897-1917)
16) Elmer Smith - 101 (1914-1924)
17) Happy Felsch - 99 (1915-1924)
18) Joe Hauser - 98 (1922-1924)
19) Zack Wheat - 98 (1909-1924)
20) Cap Anson - 97 (1871-1897)
21) Sam Crawford - 97 (1899-1917)

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth continued to dominate the home run record books, leading the league in home runs for the seventh straight season by blasting 53 home runs. It was the fifth time in his career that Ruth hit more than 50 home runs in a season. He is just 2 home runs shy of hitting 400 for his career, and has hit more than twice as many home runs as the number two home run hitter, Rogers Hornsby.

The Cubs placed three hitters in the top 10 for 1925, including rookie Mandy Brooks who hit 24 homers. Once again the Yankees led the league in home runs with 145. It doesn't hurt when one guy chips in 50 plus each year.

Active players now make up 12 of the top 20 career spots as the transition from deadball era to live ball era continues. Four big names are dropped from the career leader board, Ed Delahanty, Honus Wagner, Cap Anson, and Sam Crawford.

Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 2 home runs to pass 400 for his career.
Rogers Hornsby needs 27 home runs to pass 200 for his career.

1925 Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29
3) Glenn Wright - PIT - 27
4) Rogers Hornsby - STL - 26
5) Al Simmons - PHA - 25
6) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24
7) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 23
8) Bill Terry - NYG - 23
9) Butch Henline - NYY - 21
10) Ben Paschal - CHN - 21

1925 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24

1925 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 145
-------------------------------------

Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53 (1925)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
6) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
7) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
8) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36 (1923)
9) Hack Wilson - NYG - 35 (1924)
10) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
11) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1923)
12) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1924)
13) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30 (1922)
14) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
15) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29 (1924)
16) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 29 (1924)
17) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29 (1925)
18) George Kelly - NYG - 28 (1922)
19) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 28 (1923)
20) Goose Goslin - WAS - 27 (1922)
21) Ned Williamson - 27 (1884)
22) Buck Freeman - 25 (1899)
23) Glenn Wright - PIT - 27 (1925)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24 (1925)
4) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
5) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
6) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
7) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
8) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
9) Earl Sheely - CHA - 17 (1921)
10) Bob Meusel - NYY - 16 (1920)
11) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 16 (1922)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) New York Yankees - 145 (1925)
3) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
4) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
5) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
6) New York Yankees - 121 (1924)
7) St. Louis Cardinals - 119 (1925)
8) New York Yankees - 118 (1923)
9) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
10) Philadelphia Phillies - 112 (1923)

Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 398 (1914-1925)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 173 (1915-1925)
3) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
4) Cy Williams - 137 (1912-1925)
5) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
6) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
7) Bob Meusel - 121 (1920-1925)
8) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
9) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
10) Jim Bottomley - 118 (1922-1925)
11) Joe Jackson - 117 (1908-1925)
12) Joe Hauser - 117 (1922-1925)
13) Happy Felsch - 114 (1915-1925)
14) Zack Wheat - 114 (1909-1925)
15) Elmer Smith - 111 (1914-1925)
16) George Kelly - 108 (1915-1925)
17) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
18) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
19) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)
20) George Sisler - 106 (1915-1925)

[NYY #23]

Yankee slugger Babe Ruth was already alone atop the home run leader boards, but climbed another rung of the ladder as he reached 400 career home runs today. The 31 year-old Ruth continues to be a home run machine, and continues to put up monster numbers. If Ruth continues on the torrid pace he is on he could continue on to 500, 600, 700, or even more home runs for his career.

-----------------
In real life Babe Ruth hit 405 home runs between 1926 and 1935. If he equals that success 800 career home runs would be possible. After hitting 82 in a year, I guess I wouldn't be too surprised. Nothing like setting the bar high, really high, but he is only halfway there, and a lot can happen.

[NYY #23]

In honor of Babe Ruth becoming the first member of the 400 club, I thought I'd add a new little feature, and track each member of the 400 club as they come into the league, and see whether they make the club in the game or not.

Some background, in the history of Major League Baseball, 25 men have hit more than 500 home runs in their careers, and 44 have hit more than 400 home runs in their career. Here is a list of all those players who made it in real life, listed by their debut year:

1. Babe Ruth - 715 - debuts 1914
2. Lou Gehrig - 493 - debuts 1923
3. Jimmie Foxx - 534 - debuts 1925
4. Mel Ott - 511 - debuts 1926
5. Ted Williams - 521 - debuts 1939
6. Stan Musial - 475 - debuts 1941
7. Duke Snider - 407 - debuts 1947
8. Willie Mays - 660 - debuts 1951
9. Mickey Mantle - 536 - debuts 1951
10. Eddie Matthews - 512 - debuts 1952
11. Ernie Banks - 512 - debuts 1953
12. Hank Aaron - 755 - debuts 1954
13. Harmon Killebrew - 573 - debuts 1954
14. Frank Robinson - 586 - debuts 1956
15. Billy Williams - 426 - debuts 1959
16. Willie McCovey - 521 - debuts 1959
17. Carl Yastrzemski - 452 - debuts 1961
18. Willie Stargell - 475 - debuts 1962
19. Reggie Jackson - 563 - debuts 1967
20. Darrell Evans - 414 - debuts 1969
21. Dave Kingman - 442 - debuts 1971
22. Mike Schmidt - 548 - debuts 1972
23. Dave Winfield - 465 - debuts 1973
24. Andre Dawson - 438 - debuts 1976
25. Eddie Murray - 504 - debuts 1977
26. Cal Ripken, Jr. - 431 - debuts 1981
27. Jose Canseco - 462 - debuts 1985
28. Barry Bonds - 762 - debuts 1986
29. Fred McGriff - 493 - debuts 1986
30. Mark McGwire - 583 - debuts 1986
31. Rafael Palmeiro - 569 - debuts 1986
32. Gary Sheffield - 509 - debuts 1988
33. Ken Griffey, Jr. - 621 - debuts 1989
34. Juan Gonzalez - 434 - debuts 1989
35. Sammy Sosa - 609 - debuts 1989
36. Frank Thomas - 521 - debuts 1990
37. Jim Thome - 554 - debuts 1991
38. Jeff Bagwell - 449 - debuts 1991
39. Mike Piazza - 427 - debuts 1992
40. Manny Ramirez - 533 - debuts 1993
41. Carlos Delgado - 473 - debuts 1993
42. Chipper Jones - 417 - debuts 1993
43. Alex Rodriguez - 566 - debuts 1994
44. Jason Giambi - 407 - debuts 1995

Here is a preview of the new section:
Players who reached the 400 club in OOTP and in real life:
Babe Ruth 400, (715)

Active players of the 400 club and where they stand:
Lou Gehrig 29, (493)

Players who have not debuted yet:
42

Members of my 400 club who didn't hit 400 in real life:
None yet

[Al_Boe]

shouldent be that hard for Gehrig to hit 400, with how his career was tragically ended

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth's seven season streak of leading the league in home runs came to an abrupt end, after missing more than five months of the season with a hip injury. After reaching 400 home runs, he strained his hip just two days later. While missing five months is a long time, Ruth did come back strong, going 5-6 with a double, home run, 2 RBI, and 4 runs in his first game back. In the end it was a disappointing season for Ruth, with just 12 homers in 34 games.

Joe Hauser of the Athletics took advantage of Ruth's absence and led the league with 33 home runs, which was the eleventh highest home run total in a season, and fifth highest non-Ruth total. Hauser is now in third place on the career home run list, trailing only Ruth and Rogers Hornsby.

Another Babe, rookie Babe Herman of Brooklyn tied for the rookie home run lead with Tony Lazzeri of the Yankees, each hitting 18.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milestone Watch:
Rogers Hornsby needs 3 home runs to reach 200 for his career.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 400 Club:
Players who reached the 400 club in OOTP and in real life:
Babe Ruth - 410 (715)

Active players of the 400 club and where they stand:
Lou Gehrig - 42 (493)
Mel Ott - 2 (511)
Jimmy Foxx - 1 (534)

Players who have not debuted yet:
40

Members of my 400 club who didn't hit 400 in real life:
None yet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1926 Home Run Leaders
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 33
2) Hack Wilson - NYG - 25
3) Rogers Hornsby - STL - 24
4) Al Simmons - PHA - 23
5) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 22
6) Bob Meusel - NYY - 20
7) Bill Terry - NYG - 20
8) George Grantham - CHN - 18
9) Babe Herman - BRO - 18
10) Tony Lazzeri - NYY - 18

1926 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Babe Herman - BRO/Tony Lazzeri - NYY - 18

1926 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 114
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53 (1925)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
6) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
7) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
8) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36 (1923)
9) Hack Wilson - NYG - 35 (1924)
10) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
11) Joe Hauser - PHA - 33 (1926)
12) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1923)
13) Joe Hauser - PHA - 32 (1924)
14) Bob Meusel - NYY - 30 (1922)
15) Babe Ruth - BOS - 29 (1919)
16) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29 (1924)
17) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 29 (1924)
18) Jim Bottomley - STL - 29 (1925)
19) George Kelly - NYG - 28 (1922)
20) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 28 (1923)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24 (1925)
4) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
5) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
6) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
7) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
8) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
9) Babe Herman - BRO - 18 (1926)
10) Tony Lazzeri - NYY - 18 (1926)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) New York Yankees - 145 (1925)
3) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
4) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
5) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
6) New York Yankees - 121 (1924)
7) St. Louis Cardinals - 119 (1925)
8) New York Yankees - 118 (1923)
9) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
10) New York Yankees - 114 (1926)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 410 (1914-1926)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 197 (1915-1926)
3) Joe Hauser - 150 (1922-1926)
4) Cy Williams - 143 (1912-1926)
5) Bob Meusel - 141 (1920-1926)
6) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
7) Jim Bottomley - 132 (1922-1926)
8) Joe Jackson - 128 (1908-1926)
9) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
10) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
11) Zack Wheat - 121 (1909-1926)
12) Elmer Smith - 120 (1914-1926)
13) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
14) Happy Felsch - 118 (1915-1926)
15) Gabby Hartnett - 118 (1922-1926)
16) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
17) George Sisler - 118 (1915-1926)
18) George Kelly - 110 (1915-1926)
19) Dan Brouthers - 106 (1879-1904)
20) Hugh Duffy - 106 (1888-1906)
21) Goose Goslin - 106 (1921-1926)
22) Harry Heilmann - 106 (1914-1926)
23) Mike Tiernan - 106 (1887-1899)

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Al_Boe

shouldent be that hard for Gehrig to hit 400, with how his career was tragically ended

I agree, he should have a legitimate chance at 500 as well. I should add if someone wants me to follow someone from their debut year that didn't hit 400 or more home runs in their career let me know and I'd be happy to include them.

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth had his second injury filled year, missing time with a strained hamstring, and a fractured finger, and managed to hit only 21 home runs in 90 games. (Maybe I jinxed Ruth with talk of 800 when he was only halfway there) It was his second disappoint season in a row, but he did manage to finish in a tie for eighth in the league.

Hack Wilson of the Giants led the league in home runs for the first time, hitting 32, while Lou Gehrig of the Yankees hit 28, which was good for second place. Another Giant, Randy Reese led all rookies with 11. With Hack leading the way, the Giants led all teams with 122 home runs, good for sixth place of all-time.

Rogers Hornsby reach a semi-milestone with 200 home runs, although being only the second player to do that, it probably could be called a milestone at that time.

The top home runs per season were trimmed to 10 this year. One the career home run list 15 of the top 20 are currently active players, and 9 of the top 10. Off the career list are George Kelly (110), Dan Brouthers (106), Hugh Duffy (106), and Mike Tiernan (106).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 69 home runs to reach 500 for his career.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 400 Club:
Players who reached the 400 club in OOTP and in real life:
Babe Ruth - 431 (715)

Active players of the 400 club and where they stand:
Lou Gehrig - 70 (493)
Jimmy Foxx - 7 (534)
Mel Ott - 4 (511)

Players who have not debuted yet:
40

Members of my 400 club who didn't hit 400 in real life:
None yet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1927 Home Run Leaders
1) Hack Wilson - NYG - 32
2) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 28
3) Joe Bottomley -STL - 27
4) Bill Terry - NYG - 27
5) Joe Hauser - PHA - 24
6) Al Simmons - PHA - 24
7) Chick Hafey - STL - 23
8) Babe Herman - BRO - 21
9) Babe Ruth - NYY - 21
10) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 18

1927 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Randy Reese - NYG - 11

1927 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Giants- 122
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53 (1925)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
6) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
7) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)
8) Jim Bottomley - STL - 36 (1923)
9) Hack Wilson - NYG - 35 (1924)
10) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
2) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
3) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24 (1925)
4) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
5) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
6) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
7) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
8) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
9) Babe Herman - BRO - 18 (1926)
10) Tony Lazzeri - NYY - 18 (1926)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
2) New York Yankees - 145 (1925)
3) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
4) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
5) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
6) New York Giants - 122 (1927)
7) New York Yankees - 121 (1924)
8) St. Louis Cardinals - 119 (1925)
9) New York Yankees - 118 (1923)
10) New York Yankees - 117 (1920)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 431 (1914-1927)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 206 (1915-1927)
3) Joe Hauser - 174 (1922-1927)
4) Jim Bottomley - 159 (1922-1927)
5) Bob Meusel - 153 (1920-1927)
6) Cy Williams - 144 (1912-1927)
7) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
8) Gabby Hartnett - 136 (1922-1927)
9) Joe Jackson - 134 (1908-1927)
10) Elmer Smith - 131 (1914-1927)
11) Hack Wilson - 131 (1923-1927)
12) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
13) Happy Felsch - 123 (1915-1927)
14) George Sisler - 123 (1915-1927)
15) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
16) Zack Wheat - 121 (1909-1927)
17) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
18) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)
19) Harry Heilmann - 115 (1914-1927)
20) Goose Goslin - 111 (1921-1927)

[NYY #23]

Another new name atop the 1928 home run leaders, as Chuck Klein of the Phillies led the league with 47, followed by a pair of Yankees, Lou Gehrig with 43 and Babe Ruth, who bounced back this season to hit 40. The 47 home runs were the most ever for a rookie, and most home runs ever hit in a season by someone not named Babe Ruth. It was the first time ever that three players hit 40 home runs in a season.

The Yankees led by Gehrig and Ruth led the league in home runs with 168, setting a new single season record for home runs by a team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 29 home runs to pass 500 for his career.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 400 Club:
Players who reached the 400 club in OOTP and in real life:
Babe Ruth - 471 (715)

Active players of the 400 club and where they stand:
Lou Gehrig - 113 (493)
Jimmy Foxx - 17 (534)
Mel Ott - 16 (511)

Players who have not debuted yet:
40

Members of my 400 club who didn't hit 400 in real life:
None yet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1928 Home Run Leaders
1) Chuck Klein - PHI - 47
2) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 43
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 40
4) Don Hurst - PHI - 32
5) Gabby Hartnett - CHN - 30
6) Babe Herman - BRO - 28
7) Chick Hafey - STL - 25
8) Goose Goslin - WAS - 23
9) Travis Jackson - NYG - 23
10) Al Simmons - PHA - 22

1928 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Chuck Klein - PHI - 47

1928 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 168
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53 (1925)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
6) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
7) Chuck Klein - PHI - 47 (1928)
8) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 43 (1928)
9) Babe Ruth - NYY - 40 (1928)
10) Rogers Hornsby - SLN - 37 (1922)


Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Chuck Klein - PHI - 47 (1928)
2) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
3) Don Hurst - PHI - 32 (1928)
4) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
5) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24 (1925)
6) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
7) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
8) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
9) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)
10) George Grantham - CHN - 18 (1922)
11) Babe Herman - BRO - 18 (1926)
12) Tony Lazzeri - NYY - 18 (1926)
13) Bill Dickey - NYY 18 (1928)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 168 (1928)
2) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
3) Philadelphia Phillies - 152 (1928)
4) New York Yankees - 145 (1925)
5) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
6) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
7) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
8) New York Giants - 122 (1927)
9) New York Yankees - 121 (1924)
10) St. Louis Cardinals - 119 (1925)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 471 (1914-1928)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 220 (1915-1928)
3) Joe Hauser - 192 (1922-1928)
4) Bob Meusel - 170 (1920-1928)
5) Gabby Hartnett - 166 (1922-1928)
6) Jim Bottomley - 164 (1922-1928)
7) Hack Wilson - 146 (1923-1928)
8) Cy Williams - 144 (1912-1927)
9) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
10) Joe Jackson - 135 (1908-1928)
11) Goose Goslin - 134 (1921-1928)
12) George Sisler - 134 (1915-1928)
13) Elmer Smith - 134 (1914-1928)
14) Happy Felsch - 129 (1915-1928)
15) Harry Heilmann - 128 (1914-1928)
16) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)
17) Harry Stovey - 122 (1880-1893)
18) George Kelly - 123 (1915-1928)
19) Zack Wheat - 121 (1909-1928)
20) Gavvy Cravath - 118 (1908-1920)
21) Jimmy Ryan - 118 (1885-1903)

[NYY #23]

Chuck Klein of the Phillies continued to make a new for himself among the game's best sluggers after hitting 56 home runs this year. His 56 home runs were good for the second highest single season total, second only to Babe Ruth's 82 home runs in 1921. Lou Gehrig was second in the league with 51 home runs for the Yankees. It was the first time two players have hit 50 home runs in a season.

Babe Ruth hit 25 home runs in his quest for 500 career home runs, in another injury shortened season. He will enter 1930 just 4 home runs short of 500.

Dale Alexander of the Detroit Tigers led all rookies with 25 home runs, and tied a pair of Babe's, Ruth and Herman, for sixth place. The Yankees once again led the league in home runs after slugging 162 as a team.

There were three "notable" home run hitters who retired in 1929 -

Happy Felsch retired with 138 career home runs, currently tied for eleventh place on the all-time career list. His best season came in 1921 when he slugged 23 home runs, and topped 20 again in 1922. In his 16 year career he played all but 2 1/2 seasons with the Chicago White Sox before finishing his career with the New York Giants. In real life Happy Felsch's career ended in 1920 after 6 short seasons with the White Sox, and finished with 38 home runs, with his season high 14, which he hit in 1920. He owes the extra 100 career home runs to un-checking the box that says retire players according to history.

Joe Jackson retired with 136 career home runs, good for 16th place on the all-time home run list. In real-life Shoeless Joe Jackson was banned for life in 1920 by then Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis for his role in fixing the World Series. In both real-life and OOTP Jackson hit 12 home runs in 1920, but played another 9 virtual seasons in OOTP, adding another 82 home runs. Without those 82 home runs Jackson would not have come close to the home run leaderboards, and even with those years Jackson's stay on the leadboards will be brief, unless something totally unexpected happens. Another player benefitting from not retiring according to history, or in Shoeless Joe's case, "banned according to history".

Elmer Smith retired with 135 career home runs, in 17th place. It wouldn't be surprising to see both Jackson and Smith off the leaderboards after the 1930 season, or at the latest 1931. But as luck would have it for Smith, he was amongst the leaders when he retired, so we'll look into his career a little bit more. Smith hit 70 homers in real-life, and bounced around from Cleveland to Boston to the Yankees and then finally to Cincinnati after a year's absence. He managed to have some ok OOTP seasons and stick around with Cleveland until he retired, but 1921 was his best season in real life, 16, and the game, 23. His benefit of sticking around was being able to get about 10 home runs per year, good enough to give him a brief stay on the leaderboards. It does look like life was good to Elmer, as he lived to 101 in real life.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milestone Watch:
Babe Ruth needs 4 home runs to pass 500 for his career.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 400 Club:
Players who reached the 400 club in OOTP and in real life:
Babe Ruth - 496 (715)

Active players of the 400 club and where they stand:
Lou Gehrig - 164 (493)
Jimmy Foxx - 26 (534)
Mel Ott - 25 (511)

Players who have not debuted yet:
40

Members of my 400 club who didn't hit 400 in real life:
None yet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1929 Home Run Leaders
1) Chuck Klein - PHI - 56
2) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 51
3) Del Bissonette - BSN - 29
4) Don Hurst - PHI - 29
5) Joe Hauser - PHA - 28
6) Dale Alexander - DET - 25
7) Babe Herman - BRO - 25
8) Babe Ruth - NYY - 25
9) Chick Hafey - STL - 24
10) Bill Dickey - NYY - 22

1929 Rookie Home Run Leader:
Dale Alexander - DET - 25

1929 Team Home Run Leader:
New York Yankees - 162
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Season Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - NYY - 82 (1921)
2) Chuck Klein - PHI - 56 (1929)
3) Babe Ruth - NYY - 55 (1922)
4) Babe Ruth - NYY - 53 (1925)
5) Babe Ruth - NYY - 51 (1923)
6) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 51 (1929)
7) Babe Ruth - NYY - 50 (1920)
8) Babe Ruth - NYY - 49 (1924)
9) Chuck Klein - PHI - 47 (1928)
10) Lou Gehrig - NYY - 43 (1928)

Rookie Home Run Record - Single Season
1) Chuck Klein - PHI - 47 (1928)
2) Joe Hauser - PHA - 34 (1922)
3) Don Hurst - PHI - 32 (1928)
4) Dale Alexander - DET - 25 (1929)
5) Jim Bottomley - STL - 24 (1922)
6) Mandy Brooks - CHN - 24 (1925)
7) Al Simmons - PHA - 21 (1924)
8) Glenn Wright - PIT - 21 (1924)
9) Frank Parkinson - PHI - 19 (1921)
10) Hack Wilson - NYG - 19 (1923)

Single Season Team Home Run Leaders
1) New York Yankees - 168 (1928)
2) New York Yankees - 162 (1929)
3) New York Yankees - 159 (1921)
4) Philadelphia Phillies - 152 (1928)
5) New York Yankees - 145 (1925)
6) Chicago White Stockings - 142 (1884)
7) Philadelphia Phillies - 136 (1929)
8) New York Yankees - 127 (1922)
9) New York Giants - 124 (1923)
10) New York Giants - 122 (1927)
11) New York Giants - 122 (1929)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Career Home Run Leaders
1) Babe Ruth - 496 (1914-1929)
2) Rogers Hornsby - 240 (1915-1929)
3) Joe Hauser - 220 (1922-1929)
4) Bob Meusel - 188 (1920-1929)
5) Gabby Hartnett - 186 (1922-1929)
6) Jim Bottomley - 184 (1922-1929)
7) Lou Gehrig - 164 (1924-1929)
8) Hack Wilson - 164 (1923-1929)
9) Harry Heilmann - 147 (1914-1929)
10) Cy Williams - 144 (1912-1927)
11) Roger Connor - 138 (1880-1897)
12) Happy Felsch - 138 (1915-1929)
13) Goose Goslin - 138 (1921-1929)
14) George Sisler - 138 (1915-1929)
15) Al Simmons - 137 (1924-1929)
16) Joe Jackson - 136 (1908-1929)
17) Elmer Smith - 135 (1914-1929)
18) George Kelly - 132 (1915-1929)
19) Ben Paschal - 129 (1915-1929)
20) Sam Thompson - 127 (1885-1906)

[NYY #23]

It took almost the whole season, but Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run on August 31, 1930. The 35 year-old Ruth struggled all year, and managed just 4 home runs through the end of August. While he played the entire season injury free, Ruth just isn't the player he once was.

At one point I though Ruth could hit 800 career home runs, and maybe be the all-time home run king. At this point I'm not even sure Ruth will hit 600 career home runs. He'll go out on top of the career home run list, but his career home run mark won't be as difficult to pass as his season home run mark.