Who Holds the Homerun Record?
When it comes to Major League Baseball, the homerun record is one of the most sought after and celebrated achievements. Every year, players strive to become the new record-holder and join the ranks of legendary players like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. While the homerun record continues to be broken and reset, there are some who have held its title for far longer than most. Here, we’ll take a look at who holds the homerun record, as well as some of the most impressive homerun hitters in baseball history.
About the Homerun Record
The homerun record is officially held by Barry Bonds, who hit 762 homers over the course of his 21-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. Bonds set the record in 2007, surpassing Hank Aaron’s previous record of 755. While Bonds is the current record holder, there are several other players who have come close to breaking the record, including Alex Rodriguez (696 homers) and Albert Pujols (630 homers).
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds is one of the most legendary hitters in baseball history. In addition to holding the homerun record, Bonds also holds the MLB record for most walks (2,558), most intentional walks (688), and most home runs in a single season (73). He has also won eight Silver Slugger Awards and seven National League MVP Awards. Bonds was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021, after being denied entry for four years due to allegations of steroid use.
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is one of the most beloved players in Major League Baseball. Aaron held the homerun record for more than 30 years, after surpassing Babe Ruth’s 714 homers in 1974. Aaron was a consistent hitter, with an impressive batting average of .305 throughout his career. He was also the first player to hit 500 homers and 3,000 hits. In 1982, Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth is often referred to as one of the greatest hitters of all time. Ruth held the homerun record for nearly 40 years, setting the record in 1927 with 714 homers. He was an incredibly powerful hitter, with an average of .342 throughout his career. Ruth was also an excellent pitcher, finishing his career with a 2.28 ERA. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
Other Notable Homerun Hitters
There are several other players who have made their mark on Major League Baseball by hitting a high number of homers. Here is a list of some of the most impressive home run hitters in baseball history:
- Alex Rodriguez – A-Rod has hit 696 homers in his career, and is one of the most feared hitters of all time. He was a 14-time All-Star, and finished his career with a .295 batting average.
- Albert Pujols – Pujols has hit 630 homers in his career, and is one of the most consistent hitters of all time. He has won three MVP awards and was a 10-time All-Star.
- Ken Griffey Jr. – Griffey Jr. hit 630 homers in his career, and is one of the most beloved players of all time. He was a 13-time All-Star and won 10 Gold Glove Awards.
- Jim Thome – Thome hit 612 homers in his career, and was one of the most feared hitters of his era. He was a five-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Sammy Sosa – Sosa hit 609 homers in his career, and was one of the most feared hitters of his era. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the MVP Award in 1998.
The Homerun Record in Today’s Game
Today, the homerun record is still held by Barry Bonds. However, there are several players who are quickly gaining ground on Bonds, and could potentially break the record in the next few years. Alex Rodriguez is the closest to breaking the record, but is still 66 homers behind Bonds. Albert Pujols is also a contender, but is currently 142 homers behind Bonds.
The Future of the Homerun Record
As the years go by, it is becoming increasingly likely that the homerun record will be broken. With players like A-Rod, Pujols, and Mike Trout still in the game, it is only a matter of time before the record is broken. However, it is important to remember that the homerun record is held by Barry Bonds, and no matter who breaks it, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Conclusion
Homeruns are an integral part of Major League Baseball, and the homerun record is one of the most sought after accomplishments in the sport. The current record holder is Barry Bonds, who hit 762 homers in his career. While there are several players who are close to breaking the record, Bonds will always be remembered as one of the greatest hitters of all time.