On Tuesday night time, Aaron Choose launched his MLB-leading 56th residence run of the season, teeing off on an providing from Baltimore Orioles starter Dean Kremer. With this blast, the New York Yankees slugger entered an unique membership of energy hitters who’ve achieved a number of 56-plus residence run seasons.
Choose joins Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire as the one gamers to perform this feat twice. However how does Choose’s offensive prowess stack up in opposition to these legendary sluggers?
Let’s look at every participant’s 56-plus residence run seasons to find out in the event that they had been merely energy hitters or in an offensive league of their very own.
Babe Ruth (59 in 1921, 60 in 1927)
The Sultan of Swat led the majors in eight offensive classes in 1921, together with an eye-popping .846 slugging share. In 1927, he dominated six main offensive classes. Apparently, Ruth did not win MVP in both of those seasons, along with his lone award coming in 1923. Regardless, the Bambino was unquestionably in an offensive league of his personal.
Sammy Sosa (66 in 1998, 63 in 1999, 64 in 2001)
Sosa’s energy was simple, main the league in complete bases all three seasons wherein he clocked at the least 56 homers. Nevertheless, he additionally led in strikeouts twice, fanning 171 instances in each 1998 and 1999. Notably, Sosa by no means led baseball in residence runs throughout these campaigns. Slammin’ Sammy was only a energy hitter.
Mark McGwire (70 in 1998, 65 in 1999)
Massive Mac led the league in 5 main offensive classes in 1998, together with a .752 slugging share. In 1999, he solely led in residence runs. Whereas spectacular, McGwire falls in need of Ruth’s general offensive dominance, although it is value noting that he had a number of further high-percentage slugging seasons all through his profession, showcasing his constant energy menace.
Ken Griffey Jr. (56 in 1997 and 1998)
The Child led a number of classes in 1997, together with 147 RBI, 125 runs scored, a .646 slugging share, and 393 complete bases. In 1998, he solely led the AL in homers. Regardless of his iconic standing, Griffey was only a energy hitter.
Aaron Choose (62 in 2022, 56 thus far in 2024)
Choose dominated seven main offensive classes in 2022, scoring 133 runs and amassing 391 complete bases. Coming into play on Wednesday, he leads the bigs in residence runs (56), RBI (139), walks (130), and has a .699 slugging share. His 10.4 bWAR underscores his all-around worth.
It is value noting that Choose’s offensive dominance is not new — in his 2017 rookie season, he led the AL in three main offensive classes, foreshadowing his present success.
As Choose chases historical past once more, he is not simply hitting homers. He is redefining what it means to be a whole offensive drive in right this moment’s recreation.
With an opportunity to hitch Sosa and McGwire as the one gamers with a number of 60-home run seasons, Choose is cementing his place amongst baseball’s all-time greats.
The decision? Whereas Sosa, McGwire, and Griffey had been primarily energy hitters throughout their 56-plus homer seasons, each Ruth and Choose stand out as being in a league of their very own. Their skill to dominate a number of offensive classes whereas sustaining historic residence run paces units them aside.
Choose’s present season is especially spectacular given the trendy pitching panorama. If the Yankees captain maintains his torrid tempo (three residence runs in his final three video games), he might develop into simply the third participant to hit 60-plus homers twice in a profession, probably surpassing a .700 slugging share within the course of.
As we enter the ultimate stretch of the 2024 season, all eyes are on Choose. His pursuit of historical past is not simply concerning the lengthy ball — it is a couple of participant acting at a degree not often seen within the recreation’s lengthy and storied historical past.
