Giancarlo Stanton

[EngDawg]

Sits at 58 HRs with 30 and 2/3 innings left in the season. Chasing Roger Maris's record of 61. Marlins are playing the Braves this weekend so it is a possibility.

 

[RocketDawg]

Didn't a couple others (Mark McGuire for one) hit over 70? Maybe they weren't allowed due to performance enhancing drugs.

Regardless, unless I'm mistaken, he's already played more games than both the Babe and Maris played in a season. If he goes over it'll need a *.

 

[EngDawg]

True, I think McGuire has the official record, but...

Maris set the record in 1961 which was the first year of the 162 game schedule in the American League.

ETA: Looked it up, Bonds holds the record at 73, but I would dispute that, just like his career HR record, it shouldn't really count.

 

[aTotal360]

I think Bonds hit 109 hrs one year.

 

[EngDawg]

59

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

McGuire, Sosa and Bonds, as I recall.

 

[MaroonCrusader]

I’ve been a Marlins fan since 93. The only sad thing about all of this is that there is no one there to catch any of his HR’s in the outfield.

 

[KurtRambis4]

He actually hit 2 tonight, so he is

on 59.

Judge broke the rookie HR record (previously held by Big Mac)the other day , and is on 51.

 

[Go Budaw]

I think Bonds hit 109 hrs one year.

Bonds hit 73 sometime in the early 2000's if I'm not mistaken.

 

[bulldogbaja]

Question for those in the know:
I feel like we have started seeing HR numbers creep back up in recent years, following a sharp drop after the steroids scandal. Do you think that new, next-gen PEDs are starting to creep back into the game?

 

[SanfordRJones]

I think it's a change in approach throughout the game. More players are 3 outcome hitters (walk, strikeout, or home run) than ever before. There's an emphasis on launch angle, and the perception of strikeouts aren't as negative for hitters as they used to be.

 

[llmsudawg]

It's the balls.

 

[EngDawg]

Question for those in the know:
I feel like we have started seeing HR numbers creep back up in recent years, following a sharp drop after the steroids scandal. Do you think that new, next-gen PEDs are starting to creep back into the game?

MLB denies it, but there are very strong rumors that the balls have been altered.

 

[WutheringDawg]

It's not just that homers have crept back up - 2017 has seen the most home runs hit in a single season in the history of the game. 5000 something. It's a combination of a few things, worse pitchers throwing harder, purported changes in the ball (specifically the give in the seams), and a more data driven approach at the plate.

We are fully in the era of three true outcome baseball - walk, strikeout or home run.

 

[DawgStripes]

I think its a combination of new balls and new mindset for hitters. This season set the record for most home runs in a season (for all hitters combined) and strikeouts in a season.

 

[aTotal360]

Correct. They have changed the balls. Supposedly they are "wound tighter".

 

[Arthur2478]

Question for those in the know:
I feel like we have started seeing HR numbers creep back up in recent years, following a sharp drop after the steroids scandal. Do you think that new, next-gen PEDs are starting to creep back into the game?

It's the balls, they've changed them. 2017 already holds the record for most total HRs hit in a season at over 6k bombs. Guys who never hit more than a handful in previous years are now knocking out 20+ HRs. I like the long ball, but it's become a bit ridiculous.

 

[rem101]

It's definitely the mindset for hitters. I'm good friends with a guy who played at USM with Brian Dozier. When Dozier got drafted, they told him if he wanted to be a big league 2nd baseman, he needed to produce 20+ HR a year - or something like that. And he has.

 

[missouridawg]

the balls have been altered.

Which ones?

 

[8dog]

Guys dont just show a sharp increase in HRs because of mindset

 

[aTotal360]

It never worked for me either.

 

[HotMop]

Rank	Player (age that year)	Home Runs	Year	Bats	HR Log
1.	Barry Bonds (36)	73	2001	L	HR Log
2.	Mark McGwire (34)	70	1998	R	HR Log
3.	Sammy Sosa (29)	66	1998	R	HR Log
4.	Mark McGwire (35)	65	1999	R	HR Log
5.	Sammy Sosa (32)	64	2001	R	HR Log
6.	Sammy Sosa (30)	63	1999	R	HR Log
7.	Roger Maris (26)	61	1961	L	HR Log
8.	Babe Ruth+ (32)	60	1927	L	HR Log
9.	Babe Ruth+ (26)	59	1921	L	HR Log
	Giancarlo Stanton (27)	59	2017	R	HR Lo

<thead>
</thead><tbody>
</tbody>

 

[HotMop]

I'm still scratching my head, did you really think Roger Maris still held the record? If so you need to eat some more mole crickets soaked in Dale's. It's the only cure.

 

[regdawg18]

I think Bonds record should count and he should be in the HOF.

 

[EngDawg]

I'm still scratching my head, did you really think Roger Maris still held the record? If so you need to eat some more mole crickets soaked in Dale's. It's the only cure.

Of course he doesn't officially, but do you really think the guys above him broke it legitimately? Notice how many players were hitting 60+ HRs in the span of 4 years. That **** just ain't right.

Do you consider Bonds greater than Aaron or Ruth when it comes to career HRs?

http://www.baseballsgreatesthitters.com/site/mobile?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baseballsgreatesthitters.com%2FSteroids_and_HomeRuns.html

 

[HotMop]

You're assuming there weren't steroids in the 60's and 70's:

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/29/does-this-prove-that-hank-aaron-was-juicing/

 

[SanfordRJones]

It's not just a hitter's mindset. It's also the mindset of the front office. Look at shortstop, for instance. The typical shortstop used to be light hitting and glove first. Now, you've got guys like Lindor (33 HR), Correa (24), Story (23), and Seagar (22) who are all under 25. In the past, they might have been moved to 3rd or the OF. Now, they're replacing the old light-hitting shortstop.

Also, the light-hitting shortstop or 2B used to bat 2nd in a lot of lineups, but with advanced metrics showing the folly of that, better hitters are batting in the 2nd spot. Case in point: Giancarlo Stanton. The light-hitting players are getting weeded out, and the ones that are still in the game are batting lower in the lineup.

And, a change in approach absolutely can make a big difference. Many teams don't care about batting average anymore compared to on base and slugging. That means a more patient approach with more strikeouts but also more hard hit balls, which translates to more homers.