Baseball Reference Blog
Top 7 Players with Most Home Runs in a Single Season
Posted by Darren Baker on February 23, 2024
Is there an athletic accomplishment more Americana than hitting a home run? America has been celebrating home runs since the early 1900s. Think about how often the term home run is used in everyday metaphors of life. The home run is a definitive part of American culture, so home runs will always bring smiles (or frowns, depending on your rooting interest), and they will carry with them sheer excitement and wonderment. Many of baseball’s most memorable images are momentous home runs: Bobby Thomson’s shot heard round the world, Hank Aaron’s #715, Ozzie Smith’s unlikely blast to walk off the Cards in the NLCS, and Joe Carter stomping around the Skydome turf to clinch the World Series. This list will spotlight the players with the most home runs in a single season. Since there are some repeat offenders, only seven sluggers will make an appearance for their Ruthian seasons; hint and pun intended. In the words of the immortal Joe Buck, “Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!”
Giancarlo Stanton
Name Note: Played 2010 and 2011 under the name Mike Stanton
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-6, 245lb (198cm, 111kg)
Team: New York Yankees (majors)
Born: November 8, 1989 (Age: 34-103d) in Panorama City, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, CA).
High School: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, CA)
Debut:
June 8, 2010
(Age 20-212d,
19,749th in major league history)
vs. PHI 5 AB, 3 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2010 season
2024 Contract Status: Signed thru 2027, 13 yrs/$325M (15-27) & 28 team option
Service Time (01/2024): 13.118 • Free Agent: 2028
Agents: Wasserman
National Team: us USA (WBC)
Full Name: Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton
Nicknames: Bigfoot, Cruz, G or Parmigiancarlo
Pronunciation: \ZHON-carlo\
Instagram: @giancarlo818
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
-0.8
44.0
371
5608
71
1454
24
402
.191
.259
43
858
60
1031
0
42
.275
.349
.420
.529
.695
.878
87
137
Although his production has slowed since he arrived in the Bronx, Giancarlo Stanton has put up some superb numbers in his 14 years. To date, his 59-homer season in 2017 has been his high-water mark. That season, his last as a Miami Marlin, saw Giancarlo win the National League MVP for a team that finished well below .500, so you know his numbers had to be eye-popping. They were sparkling across the board… 59 home runs, 132 RBIs, .631 slugging %, and 169 OPS+; he led the league in each of those categories. Playing in a career-high 159 games, Stanton seemingly hit a nightly bomb and truly was the talk of the summer. Perhaps he was too good with a 7.9 WAR season because the Yankees traded for him that off-season. Only three National Leaguer players have ever hit more home runs in a single season than the 59 Giancarlo Stanton hit in 2017, so that was undoubtedly one of the most impressive power years ever.
Babe Ruth
Positions: Outfielder and Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-2, 215lb (188cm, 97kg)
Born: February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, MD us
Died: August 16, 1948 (Aged 53-192d) in New York, NY
Buried: Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY
High School: St. Mary’s HS (Baltimore, MD)
Debut:
July 11, 1914
(Age 19-155d,
4,203rd in major league history)
vs. CLE 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
May 30, 1935
(Age 40-113d)
vs. PHI 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 215/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Babe Ruth’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1915 season
Full Name: George Herman Ruth
Nicknames: Babe, The Bambino, The Sultan Of Swat, Jidge, The Colossus of Clout or The King of Crash
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
182.6
8399
2873
714
.342
2174
2214
123
.474
.690
1.164
206
There may not be a more mythical figure in American sports history than George Herman Ruth. Babe, The Bambino, or The Sultan of Swat was an iconic figure of the early 20th century. His prodigious power and larger-than-life persona helped make baseball the national pastime. Of course his 714 career home runs were the all-time record until 1974 when Hank Aaron surpassed him. This New York Yankee has two years that rank in the top ten of most home runs in a single season: 59 in 1921 and 60 in 1927. Both of those record-breaking seasons were immaculate. In 1921, he led the league in home runs (59), RBIs (168), total bases (457), runs (177), walks (145), and OPS % (1.359). That marked the third straight year Ruth set the MLB home-run record for a single season. His 60-homer season in 1927 was the standard bearer for years; it was the seemingly unreachable star until Roger Maris came along. It’s worth mentioning that the Bambino’s batting average in his most prolific home-run seasons was astounding as well: .378 in 1921 and .356 in 1927. His 182.6 career WAR is still the all-time leader by a healthy margin. There is an endless amount of stats you could add to this section. It is no shock that Babe Ruth has two of the most magnificent home-run single seasons in MLB history.
Roger Maris
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-0, 197lb (183cm, 89kg)
Born: September 10, 1934 in Hibbing, MN us
Died: December 14, 1985 (Aged 51-095d) in Houston, TX
Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo, ND
High School: Shanley HS (Fargo, ND)
Debut:
April 16, 1957
(Age 22-218d,
11,409th in major league history)
vs. CHW 5 AB, 3 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 29, 1968
(Age 34-019d)
vs. HOU 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1957 season
Full Name: Roger Eugene Maris
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
38.3
5101
1325
275
.260
826
850
21
.345
.476
.822
127
The famous summer of ‘61 was the season two great New York Yankees chased down the single-season home-run record of the immortal Babe Ruth. Heck, Billy Crystal even made a movie about that memorable season. Roger Maris, not the revered Mickey Mantle, is the Bronx Bomber who ultimately eclipsed the Sultan’s mark of 60 on the last day of the season. Maris hit his 61st blast after months of being under the national spotlight and facing enormous pressure. This season actually represented Maris’s second straight AL MVP award in addition to the Yanks winning another World Series. He led the league in four major categories: home runs (61), RBIs (141), runs (132), and total bases (366). Surprisingly, Maris’s AL leading WAR (7.5) in 1960 bested his WAR (6.9) in 1961. Although Maris’s career numbers aren’t as gaudy as some other sluggers on this list, his 61 home-run season is a major part of baseball lore, and that MLB record lasted 37 years, compared to Ruth holding it for only 34 years. To analyze even deeper, that AL single-season home-run record stood until 2022. When Roger Maris set the MLB record for most home runs in a single season, it marked one of the most important feats in American sports and will always be remembered as a historically impactful season.
Aaron Judge
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-7, 282lb (201cm, 127kg)
Team: New York Yankees (majors)
Born: April 26, 1992 (Age: 31-299d) in Linden, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from Linden HS (Linden, CA) and the New York Yankees in the 1st round (32nd) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from California State University, Fresno (Fresno, CA).
High School: Linden HS (Linden, CA)
School: California State University, Fresno (Fresno, CA)
Debut:
August 13, 2016
(Age 24-109d,
21,226th in major league history)
vs. TBR 4 AB, 2 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2017 season
2024 Contract Status: Signed thru 2031, 9 yrs/$360M (23-31)
Service Time (01/2024): 7.051 • Free Agent: 2032
Agents: PSI Sports Management (Page Odle)
Full Name: Aaron James Judge
Nicknames: The Judge, All Rise, BAJ or Arson Judge
Instagram: @thejudge44
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
4.5
41.5
367
3005
98
846
37
257
.267
.282
79
614
75
572
3
43
.406
.396
.613
.586
1.019
.982
175
164
This epic season should be fresh in everyone’s mind. In 2022 Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs, breaking the American League single-season home-run record Roger Maris set 61 years earlier. Judge was the obvious MVP and led the league in a boatload of categories: home runs (62), RBIs (131), runs (133), total bases (391), walks (111), OPS % (1.111), and OPS+ (210). On top of all the power stats, this Bronx Bomber also had a .311 batting average. Judge’s 10.6 WAR in 2022 is one of the highest in the last 30 years by any player for a single season. His stellar numbers did lead to team success as the Yankees won the AL East and advanced to ALCS before losing to the eventual World Series winner Houston Astros. A big factor in Aaron’s MVP performance was his health; he played in a career-high 157 games. Since Judge is only 31 years old, he has a chance to add more entries on this list, but his AL-record of 62 blasts in 2022 firmly stands as one of the top home-run single seasons in MLB history.
Sammy Sosa
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 165lb (183cm, 74kg)
Born: November 12, 1968 (Age: 55-099d) in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic do
High School: San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic)
Debut:
June 16, 1989
(Age 20-216d,
15,626th in major league history)
vs. NYY 4 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 29, 2007
(Age 38-321d)
vs. SEA 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Adam Katz, Craig Landis
Full Name: Samuel Peralta Sosa
Nicknames: Slammin’ Sammy or Say it Ain’t Sosa
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
58.6
8813
2408
609
.273
1475
1667
234
.344
.534
.878
128
Sammy Sosa is the only player in MLB history that has hit 60 home runs in a season three times, all as a Chicago Cub. Ironically, he did not lead the National League in homers during any of those years; Bonds and McGwire had a say in that. Probably the most memorable of Sosa’s 60-homer campaigns was 1998. That was the scintillating summer he and Mark McGwire used their dueling bats to captivate America. Both men surpassed Roger Maris’s long-standing record; Sosa hit 66 home runs, drove in 158 runs, and won the NL MVP. The following year Sammy and Big Mac engaged in another entertaining homer battle, and Sosa finished with 63 dingers. Unfortunately, the third 60-homer season was not a charm for Slammin’ Sammy in 2001 as he finished behind Barry Bonds with 64 bombs. Sosa sits 9th on the all-time list with 609 career home runs, and his three 60-homer years are some of the best power single seasons the league has ever seen.
Mark McGwire
Position: First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-5, 215lb (196cm, 97kg)
Born: October 1, 1963 (Age: 60-141d) in Pomona, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 8th round of the 1981 MLB June Amateur Draft from Damien HS (La Verne, CA) and the Oakland Athletics in the 1st round (10th) of the 1984 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Damien HS (La Verne, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
August 22, 1986
(Age 22-325d,
15,220th in major league history)
vs. NYY 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 7, 2001
(Age 38-006d)
vs. HOU 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1987 season
Agents: Robert Cohen
National Team: us USA (Oly,College)
Full Name: Mark David McGwire
Nicknames: Big Mac
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
62.2
6187
1626
583
.263
1167
1414
12
.394
.588
.982
163
There was a stint in the late 90s when outside of Michael Jordan, Mark McGwire was as recognizable a sports figure as anyone in the country. He was actually a guest star on a Mad About You episode! In 1998, he and Sammy Sosa’s season-long game of home run derby helped baseball reclaim its popularity after lingering fan disinterest following the unfortunate strike of 94-95. That epic 1998 season McGwire steamrolled past Roger Maris’s 61-homer record and finished with an astounding 70 home runs, by far a new MLB record; many were of the majestic variety. This St. Louis Cardinal also led the league in walks (162), OBP % (.470), slugging % (.752), OPS % (1.222), and OPS+ (216). However, Sosa did best him for the 1998 NL MVP award. The following summer, this power-bashing duo gave baseball fans a sequel, and McGwire finished with 66 home runs. For a four-year stretch (96-99), Big Mac put up historic long-ball totals: 52, 58, 70, and 65. He ended his career with 13 all-star selections, 583 home runs (11th all-time), and he helped MLB’s renaissance by providing one of the most memorable seasons ever. To put a bow on this big man, two of Mark McGwire’s monumental years rank in the top four all time of single-season home runs.
Barry Bonds
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born: July 24, 1964 (Age: 59-210d) in Riverside, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, CA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1st round (6th) of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ).
High School: Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, CA)
School: Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
Debut:
May 30, 1986
(Age 21-310d,
15,165th in major league history)
vs. LAD 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 26, 2007
(Age 43-064d)
vs. SDP 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1986 season
Agents: Jeff Borris • Previously: Dennis Gilbert, Rod Wright, Scott Boras
Full Name: Barry Lamar Bonds
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Cousin of Reggie Jackson; Son of Bobby Bonds
Career
162.8
9847
2935
762
.298
2227
1996
514
.444
.607
1.051
182
It is fitting that the all-time home-run king (762) is also the single-season home-run king (73). Barry Bonds, a seven-time MVP, had one of baseball’s all-time performances in 2001. Mark McGwire’s record of 70, set only three seasons prior, seemed destined to last for decades, but Bonds had other plans. At the age of 36 in his 16th year, this San Francisco Giant had a summer for the ages: 73 home runs, 137 RBIs, 177 walks, and a .328 batting average. How about a .515 on-base %? The lefty slugger broke the record at home during the season’s final weekend against the hated Los Angeles Dodgers. Barry’s career-high WAR (11.9) was the highest by a non-pitcher since 1967; his .863 slugging % was the most since 1943. From 2001-2004, Bonds won four consecutive MVPs and led the league in these categories each year: walks, OBP %, slugging %, OPS %, OPS+, WAR, and oWar. He even led the league in batting average in two of those campaigns. Go to baseball-reference.com if you want to pore over his numbers yourself. The record for most home runs in a single season securely sits with MLB’s all-time home-run leader, in one of MLB’s all-time seasons: Barry Bonds, 73 in 2001.
Barry Bonds has the all-time record for home runs in a season with 73 in 2001. He is also the all-time career leader in home runs with 762.
Join our Sports Reference Community
Of Statheads:
Subscribe to Stathead, the most powerful research tools in sports, and find any player, team, season, game, and any play. With over 80 different search tools for baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, you’ve got infinite answers at your finger tips.
With Our Email Newsletters:
Sign up for our newsletter and get curated stats, recaps, and more from the Baseball Reference to your inbox every morning. No commitment, unsubscribe at any time.
On Social Media:
Stay connected with Baseball Reference on social media! Bringing you stats, trivia, and more on all our channels daily.
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – TikTok – YouTube – Reddit – LinkedIn
Follow the rest of the Sports Reference sites on social here.
We're Social...for Statheads
Every Sports Reference Social Media Account
Site Last Updated: Friday, May 1, 2:56PM
Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter
Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE
Your All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database
Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.