The Home Run 2

[NYY #23]

It was over three years ago when I did my original Home Run dynasty, where the focus was pretty simple, who would be the all-time home run king. A simple idea that I think worked pretty well. I've made a couple other attempts at doing something similar that have failed for one reason or another, but sometimes it's hard when you try and do too much, and sometimes it works just tracking a single stat, and moving along fairly quickly.

So a few versions later maybe it's time to just get back to basics - and then maybe move on to another category once this is done. We'll start at the beginning and move quickly through the dead ball era until we get to up to 1914 when some guy named Ruth will make his debut. From there I will move year by year up until present day and beyond until the last of real players is retired.

Last time Albert Pujols finished on top with 803 career home runs, 19 players reached the 400 club in real life and in the replay, 26 members of the real life 400 club failed to hit 400 home runs again, 26 players who didn't hit 400 in real life did so in the replay, and 26 players hit 400 home runs who were still active. There were big disappointments (Willie Mays and Hank Aaron), and big surprises (Phil Clark and Liu Rodriguez), but I had fun with it and there was a clear beginning and end.

The main difference this time (other than using version 13) is that I'll be using the Spritze database, so we'll get a chance to see integration from the beginning, and see how someone like Sadaharu Oh stacks up. Recalc will be off so we'll be using the OOTP talent engine to determine who ends up on top.

Can Pujols defend his title? Can Ruth or Aaron hold off all challengers? Will someone from the steroid era like McGwire or Bonds come out on top? Or will someone come out of left field to become the all-time home run king?

Feel free to make any predictions, and stay tuned to find out…..

[yougo1000]

Hope Ron Santo can be even better

[NYY #23]

As of today there are 49 members of the 400 home run club, from Barry Bonds to David Ortiz. We'll watch them as they begin to play.

1) Barry Bonds (762)
2) Hank Aaron (755)
3) Babe Ruth (714)
4) Willie Mays (660)
5) Alex Rodriguez (644)
6) Ken Griffey Jr (630)
7) Jim Thome (611)
8) Sammy Sosa (609)
9) Frank Robinson (586)
10) Mark McGwire (583)
11) Harmon Killebrew (573)
12) Rafael Palmeiro (569)
13) Reggie Jackson (563)
14) Manny Ramirez (555)
15) Mike Schmidt (548)
16) Mickey Mantle (536)
17) Jimmie Foxx (534)
18) Willie McCovey (521)
19) Frank Thomas (521)
20) Ted Williams (521)
21) Ernie Banks (512)
22) Eddie Mathews (512)
23) Mel Ott (511)
24) Gary Sheffield (509)
25) Eddie Murray (504)
26) Lou Gehrig (493)
27) Fred McGriff (493)
28) Stan Musial (475)
29) Willie Stargell (475)
30) Carlos Delgado (473)
31) Dave Winfield (465)
32) Chipper Jones (463)
33) Albert Pujols (463)
34) Jose Canseco (462)
35) Carl Yastrzemski (452)
36) Jeff Bagwell (449)
37) Vladimir Guerrero (449)
38) Dave Kingman (442)
39) Andre Dawson (438)
40) Juan Gonzalez (434)
41) Andruw Jones (432)
42) Cal Ripken Jr (431)
43) Jason Giambi (429)
44) Mike Piazza (427)
45) Billy Williams (426)
46) Darrell Evans (414)
47) Paul Konerko (412)
48) Duke Snider (407)
49) David Ortiz (401)

And by year of debut:

1914 - Babe Ruth (714)
1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)
1924 - Jimmie Foxx (534)
1926 - Mel Ott (511)
1936 - Ted Williams (521)
1938 - Stan Musial (475)
1944 - Duke Snider (407)
1948 - Willie Mays (660)
1949 - Mickey Mantle (536)
1949 - Eddie Mathews (512)
1950 - Ernie Banks (512)
1952 - Hank Aaron (755)
1953 - Frank Robinson (586)
1954 - Harmon Killebrew (573)
1955 - Willie McCovey (521)
1956 - Billy Williams (426)
1958 - Carl Yastrzemski (452)
1959 - Willie Stargell (475)
1965 - Reggie Jackson (563)
1966 - Darrell Evans (414)
1967 - Dave Kingman (442)
1968 - Mike Schmidt (548)
1970 - Dave Winfield (465)
1973 - Andre Dawson (438)
1973 - Eddie Murray (504)
1978 - Cal Ripken Jr (431)
1981 - Fred McGriff (493)
1982 - Jose Canseco (462)
1982 - Mark McGwire (583)
1983 - Barry Bonds (762)
1983 - Rafael Palmeiro (569)
1986 - Juan Gonzalez (434)
1986 - Gary Sheffield (509)
1986 - Sammy Sosa (609)
1987 - Jeff Bagwell (449)
1987 - Ken Griffey Jr (630)
1987 - Mike Piazza (427)
1987 - Frank Thomas (521)
1989 - Carlos Delgado (473)
1989 - Jim Thome (611)
1990 - Jason Giambi (429)
1990 - Chipper Jones (463)
1991 - Manny Ramirez (555)
1994 - Vladimir Guerrero (449)
1994 - Andruw Jones (432)
1994 - David Ortiz (401)
1994 - Alex Rodriguez (644)
1995 - Paul Konerko (412)
1999 - Albert Pujols (463)

[NYY #23]

I figure I would provide at least a brief check in every 10 years. Six players have hit 6 home runs in a season so far:

Roger Connor -1882
Dave Orr - 1880
Scrappy Carroll - 1882
Elmer Foster - 1882
Charley Jones - 1873
Joe Visner - 1882

The career leaders so far:
1. Cap Anson - 16
2. Roger Connor - 15
3. Charley Jones - 15
4. Joe Visner - 14
5. Jim O'Rourke - 13
6. Hardy Richardson - 13
7. George Wood - 13
8. Dennis Casey - 12
9. Elmer Foster -12
10. Tom Burns - 10
11. John O'Rourke - 10
12. Lip Pike - 10

[NYY #23]

The names on the top of the leaderboards are surprising so far, but with totals still low I won't focus too much on them. The combination of Cote, Klusman, Lally, and Breckenridge have dominated so far. At least Breckenridge's nickname was 'Home Run'

Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Henry Cote (1888) - 26
2. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24
3. Henry Cote (1889) - 23
4. Billy Klusman (1891) - 23
5. Ed Breckenridge (1891) - 23
6. Ed Breckenridge (1892) - 22
7. Billy Klusman (1890) - 21
8. Ed Breckenridge (1889) - 21
9. Dan Lally (1891) - 20
10. Henry Cote (1887) - 20

The career leaders so far:
1. Billy Klusman - 140
2. Henry Cote - 130
3. Dan Lally - 83
4. Ed Breckenridge - 79
5. Joe Visner - 74
6. Fred Carroll - 63
7. Oyster Burns - 62
8. Mike Tiernan - 62
9. Buster Burrell - 61
10. Count Campau - 60
11. Jack Clements - 59
12. Dan Brouthers - 55
13. Herman Long - 54
14. Buck Ewing - 53
15. Walt Wilmot - 52

[NYY #23]

Ed 'Home Run' Breckenridge jumps to the top of both the season and career leaderboards. With totals so high I had to check the settings, but league totals look good overall, and in fact they are lower rather than higher most years, but definitely nothing to be concerned with. Breckenridge never made it to the majors in real life, but is making the most of his chances this time around.

Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

The career leaders so far:
1. Ed Breckenridge #- 330
2. Dan Lally #- 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell #- 218
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Hunkey Hines #-123
7. Ed Delahanty #-106
8. Mike Tiernan #-102
9. Jack Clements #- 94
10. John Newell - 88
11. Joe Visner - 86
12. Jim Andrews #-84
13. Fred Carroll - 79
14. Tom Gettinger #-79
15. Oyster Burns - 70
16. Charlie Reilly - 70
17. Biff Sheehan #-70
18. Irv Ray #-69
19. Herman Long - 68
20. Jimmy Ryan -67
21. Buck Ewing - 66
22. Bill Bowman #-65
23. Walt Wilmot - 64
24. Count Campau - 63
25. Jim Curtiss #-63

[yougo1000]

Shocked at how many home runs so far. I can only imagine what Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds will hit.

[NYY #23]

I'm kind of shocked too. The weird part is the overall totals are normal, or even low in years where the season leader had a real high number -

1894: -3.8%
1900: -2.3%
1901: -1.7%

The only big outlier is 1880 +41.9%, but things look to have calmed down.

[NYY #23]

Things seemed to stabilize over the past ten years among the season leaders, and Ed 'Home Run' Breckenridge leveled off quite a bit, and should fall short of 400 career home runs, which I'm relieved about. We'll pick back up after the 1914 season as we kick off the Ruth era.

Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

The career leaders so far:
1. Ed Breckenridge #- 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Hunkey Hines -134
7. Ed Delahanty -113
8. Mike Tiernan -102
9. Jack Clements - 94
10. John Newell - 88
11. Joe Visner - 86
12. Jim Andrews -84
13. Cy Williams #-83
14. Fred Carroll - 79
15. Tom Gettinger -79
16. Biff Sheehan -74
17. Andy Lotshaw #-73
18. Oyster Burns - 70
19. Irv Ray -70
20. Charlie Reilly - 70
21. Charlie Frank -68
22. Herman Long - 68
23. Jimmy Ryan -67
24. Buck Ewing - 66
25. Bill Bowman -65
26. Buck Freeman -65

[NYY #23]

1914 brings the debut of Babe Ruth, who came into the league in the amateur draft last November. The one thing that I did do when the draft pool was created was to change Ruth's position from starting pitcher to right fielder, but other than that my involvement ended. Things will fall where they may, so Ruth was selected by the Yankees with no outside interference.

I don't think Ruth needs much introduction, but as you know he did hit 714 home runs in his career and set the standard for home run records before Hank Aaron came along. His 11 home runs in 1914 set him off to a good start, and it should be fun to watch how Ruth ends up performing.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 11

Players to Debut
48 - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1914 Home Run Leaders
1. Frank Reiger - 16
2. Yam Yaryan - 16
3. Cy Williams - 15
4. Louis Santop - 13
5. Babe Ruth - 11
6. Frank Brower - 10
7. Harry Heilmann - 10

1914 Home Run Rookie Leader
Frank Reiger - 16
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
Note: I will start tracking this going forward from 1914 on, so previous records will not count.

1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
4. Ray Rohwer (1914) - 4
5. Carson Bigbee (1914) - 3
6. Ike Caveney (1914) - 3
7. Bob Gandy (1914) - 3

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge #- 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Hunkey Hines -134
7. Ed Delahanty -113
8. Cy Williams #-113
9. Mike Tiernan -102
10. Jack Clements - 94
11. John Newell - 88
12. Joe Visner - 86
13. Jim Andrews -84
14. Fred Carroll - 79
15. Tom Gettinger -79
16. Biff Sheehan -74
17. Andy Lotshaw #-73
18. Oyster Burns - 70
19. Irv Ray -70
20. Charlie Reilly - 70
21. Charlie Frank -68
22. Herman Long - 68
23. Jimmy Ryan -67
24. Buck Ewing - 66
25. Bill Bowman -65
26. Buck Freeman -65

[NYY #23]

The big news for 1915 was the retirement of the career home run leader, Ed 'Home Run' Breckenridge, who retired with 100 more home runs than the next closest player, and 355 more home runs than he hit in real life. Definitely a surprising and impressive run for Breckenridge.

Yam Yaryan was tied for the home run lead last season, and was alone on top this season. Ruth finished the second season in a row with 11 home runs.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 22

Players to Debut
48 - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1915 Home Run Leaders
1. Yam Yaryan - 17
2. Ray Rohwer - 14
3. Wally Hood, Sr - 12
4. Babe Ruth - 11
5. Dan Boone - 10
6. Frank Brower - 9
7. Frank Reiger - 9

1915 Home Run Rookie Leader
Dan Boone - 10
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
5. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
6. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
7. Ray Rohwer (1914) - 4
8. Carson Bigbee (1914) - 3
9. Ike Caveney (1914) - 3
10. Bob Gandy (1914) - 3

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Hunkey Hines -134
7. Cy Williams #-120
8. Ed Delahanty -113
9. Mike Tiernan -102
10. Jack Clements - 94
11. John Newell - 88
12. Joe Visner - 86
13. Jim Andrews -84
14. Fred Carroll - 79
15. Tom Gettinger -79
16. Biff Sheehan -74
17. Andy Lotshaw -73
18. Oyster Burns - 70
19. Irv Ray -70
20. Charlie Reilly - 70
21. Charlie Frank -68
22. Herman Long - 68
23. Jimmy Ryan -67
24. Buck Ewing - 66
25. Bill Bowman -65
26. Buck Freeman -65

[NYY #23]

Yam Yaryan again led the league in home runs for the third straight year, and moved into the career leaders with 72 career home runs. In real life Yaryan played just two seasons in the majors and hit 2 career home runs in 173 at-bats.

One name that keeps appearing on the home run leaders is Oscar Charleston, who finished second in home runs this year. At 20 years old the Negro League Hall of Famer will be one to watch in coming years.

Babe Ruth again finished among the home run leaders and should make his debut in the top 100 career leaders next season, needing just 4 home runs.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 31

Players to Debut
48 - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1916 Home Run Leaders
1. Yam Yaryan - 16
2. Oscar Charleston - 11
3. Cy Williams - 10
4. Polly McLarry - 9
5. Babe Ruth - 9
6. Ike Boone - 8
7. Frank Brower - 8

1916 Home Run Rookie Leader
Ike Boone - 8
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
5. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
6. Ike Boone (1916) - 8
7. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
8. Bill Mizeur (1916) - 5
9. Ray Rohwer (1914) - 4
10. Elliot Bigelow (1916) - 4

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Hunkey Hines -134
7. Cy Williams #-130
8. Ed Delahanty -113
9. Mike Tiernan -102
10. Jack Clements - 94
11. John Newell - 88
12. Joe Visner - 86
13. Jim Andrews -84
14. Fred Carroll - 79
15. Tom Gettinger -79
16. Biff Sheehan -74
17. Andy Lotshaw -73
18. Yam Yaryan #-72
19. Oyster Burns - 70
20. Irv Ray -70
21. Charlie Reilly - 70
22. Charlie Frank -68
23. Herman Long - 68
24. Jimmy Ryan -67
25. Buck Ewing - 66

[NYY #23]

Frank Reiger, a career minor league in real life led the league with 17 home runs as we approach the end of the deadball era.

Both Ruth and Charleston stayed in the leaderboards, but neither have broken out ahead of the competition yet.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 42

Players to Debut
48 - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1917 Home Run Leaders
1. Frank Reiger - 17
2. Yam Yaryan - 15
3. Oscar Charleston - 12
4. Dan Boone - 11
5. Ike Boone - 11
6. Babe Ruth - 11
7. Red Holt - 8

1917 Home Run Rookie Leader
Charlie High - 3
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
5. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
6. Ike Boone (1916) - 8
7. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
8. Bill Mizeur (1916) - 5
9. Ray Rohwer (1914) - 4
10. Elliot Bigelow (1916) - 4

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Cy Williams #-136
7. Hunkey Hines -134
8. Ed Delahanty -113
9. Mike Tiernan -102
10. Jack Clements - 94
11. John Newell - 88
12. Yam Yaryan #-87
13. Joe Visner - 86
14. Jim Andrews -84
15. Fred Carroll - 79
16. Tom Gettinger -79
17. Biff Sheehan -74
18. Andy Lotshaw -73
19. Oyster Burns - 70
20. Irv Ray -70
21. Charlie Reilly - 70
22. Louis Santop #-70
23. Charlie Frank -68
24. Herman Long - 68
25. Jimmy Ryan -67

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth led the league for the first time with 18 home runs, setting a new personal high, and the highest single season total since we've moved to yearly tracking. With 1919 approaching things should start to get interesting next season.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 60

Players to Debut
(48) - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1918 Home Run Leaders
1. Babe Ruth - 18
2. Chick Tolson - 12
3. Yam Yaryan - 12
4. Frank Reiger - 11
5. Oscar Charleston - 10
6. Bill Bagwell - 9
7. Dan Boone - 9

1918 Home Run Rookie Leader
Frank Brazill/Showboat Fisher - 5
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
5. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
6. Ike Boone (1916) - 8
7. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
8. Bill Mizeur (1916) - 5
9. Frank Brazill (1918) - 5
10. Showboat Fisher (1918) - 5

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Cy Williams #-134
7. Hunkey Hines -134
8. Ed Delahanty -113
9. Mike Tiernan -102
10. Yam Yaryan #-99
11. Jack Clements - 94
12. John Newell - 88
13. Joe Visner - 86
14. Jim Andrews -84
15. Fred Carroll - 79
16. Tom Gettinger -79
17. Biff Sheehan -74
18. Andy Lotshaw -73
19. Louis Santop #-72
20. Oyster Burns - 70
21. Irv Ray -70
22. Charlie Reilly - 70
23. Charlie Frank -68
24. Herman Long - 68
25. Reb Russell #-67
26. Jimmy Ryan -67

[NYY #23]

Babe Ruth led the league for the second straight year with 18 home runs, and made his debut on the career home run list in 17th place.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 78

Players to Debut
(48) - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1919 Home Run Leaders
1. Babe Ruth - 18
2. Chick Tolson - 17
3. Yam Yaryan - 13
4. Charlie High - 12
5. Joe Bratcher - 10
6. Oscar Charleston - 10
7. Showboat Fisher - 10

1919 Home Run Rookie Leader
Ollie Klee/Hack WIlson - 4
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Henry Cote (1888) 26
8. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
9. Dan Lally (1894) 25
10. Ed Breckenridge (1899) 24
11. Buster Burrell (1897) 24
12. Billy Klusman (1888) - 24

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
5. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
6. Ike Boone (1916) - 8
7. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
8. Bill Mizeur (1916) - 5
9. Frank Brazill (1918) - 5
10. Showboat Fisher (1918) - 5

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Cy Williams #-146
7. Hunkey Hines -134
8. Ed Delahanty -113
9. Yam Yaryan #-112
10. Mike Tiernan -102
11. Jack Clements - 94
12. John Newell - 88
13. Joe Visner - 86
14. Jim Andrews -84
15. Fred Carroll - 79
16. Tom Gettinger -79
17. Babe Ruth #-78
18. Louis Santop #-75
19. Biff Sheehan -74
20. Andy Lotshaw -73
21. Oyster Burns - 70
22. Irv Ray -70
23. Charlie Reilly - 70
24. Reb Russell #-69
25. Charlie Frank -68
26. Herman Long - 68

[NYY #23]

1920 didn't provide the fireworks that I expected, but Babe Ruth did lead the league for the third straight season after hitting 29 home runs and passing the 100 home run barrier. He does have a long way to 400, but is only just 25 years old.

Next year we'll have our second debut with Lou Gehrig entering the league. Gehrig had 493 career home runs.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 107

Players to Debut
(48) - next debut: 1921 - Lou Gehrig (493)

1920 Home Run Leaders
1. Babe Ruth - 29
2. Oscar Charleston - 18
3. Syl Simon - 18
4. Bud Davis - 17
5. Yam Yaryan - 17
6. John Beckwith - 14
7. Dan Boone - 14

1920 Home Run Rookie Leader
Gabby Hartnett - 9
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
2. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
3. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
4. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
5. Dan Lally (1895) 29
6. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
7. Babe Ruth (1920) 29
8. Henry Cote (1888) 26
9. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26
10. Dan Lally (1894) 25

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Frank Reiger (1914) - 16
2. Babe Ruth (1914) - 11
3. Don Boone (1915) - 10
4. Gabby Hartnett (1920) - 9
5. Bill Bagwell (1915) - 8
6. Oscar Charleston (1915) - 8
7. Ike Boone (1916) - 8
8. Turkey Stearnes (1920) - 8
9. Wes Griffin (1914) - 7
10. Mule Suttles (1920) - 6

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Cy Williams #-149
7. Hunkey Hines -134
8. Yam Yaryan #-129
9. Ed Delahanty -113
10. Babe Ruth #-107
11. Mike Tiernan -102
12. Jack Clements - 94
13. John Newell - 88
14. Louis Santop #-88
15. Joe Visner - 86
16. Jim Andrews -84
17. Fred Carroll - 79
18. Tom Gettinger -79
19. Frank Reiger #-75
20. Biff Sheehan -74
21. Andy Lotshaw -73
22. Frank Brower #-72
23. Oyster Burns - 70
24. Irv Ray -70
25. Charlie Reilly - 70

[NYY #23]

When young slugger Babe Ruth when down with an injury, the city of New York needed a new slugger to step up.



It wouldn't be Lou Gehrig, who made his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in this universe, although Gehrig would prove to be a force in Philly capturing the Rookie of the Year and hitting 25 home runs to go with a .323 batting average as a rookie.



The slugger in New York to step up would be none other than Bud Davis, who did so for the New York Giants setting the new single season record with 35 home runs. My first reaction was who? And after a little more research I'm ok with that in this alternative universe. Bud Davis pitched in the major leagues for both the Athletics and Phillies in 1915, going 0-2 with a 4.05 ERA. From there Davis went to play for the minor league Augusta Georgians where he was used as both a batter and pitcher, and later moved full-time to first base. Davis went on to hit 253 home runs in his minor league career, including 51 in 1924 for the Okmulgee Drillers in the Western Association.

The Drillers were ranked as the 49th best team ever in minor league baseball - Top 100 Teams | MiLB.com History | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball and featured two pretty impressive seasons by players named Davis - Bud Davis aka Wilbur, and Cecil Davis, who also hit 51 home runs. Neither really got to shine in the majors in real life, but maybe if Bud got his chance in New York he could have been a star - and he is in this world. And apologies for the ugly Giants uniforms.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 115
Lou Gehrig (493) 25

Players to Debut
(47) - next debut: 1924 - Jimmie Foxx (534)

1921 Home Run Leaders
1. Bud Davis - 35
2. Lou Gehrig - 25
3. Yam Yaryan - 25
4. Joe Hauser - 19
5. Syl Simon - 19
6. Dan Boone - 17
7. Moose Clabaugh - 17

1921 Home Run Rookie Leader
Lou Gehrig - 25
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Bud Davis (1921) 35
2. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
3. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
4. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
5. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
6. Dan Lally (1895) 29
7. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
8. Babe Ruth (1920) 29
9. Babe Ruth (1921) 29
10. Henry Cote (1888) 26
11. Ed Breckenridge (1897) 26

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Lou Gehrig (1921) 25
2. Frank Reiger (1914) 16
3. Babe Ruth (1914) 11
4. Don Boone (1915) 10
5. Gabby Hartnett (1920) 9
6. John Jones (1921) 9
7. Ollie Tucker (1921) 9
8. Bill Bagwell (1915) 8
9. Oscar Charleston (1915) 8
10. Ike Boone (1916) 8
11. Turkey Stearnes (1920) 8

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Yam Yaryan #-154
7. Cy Williams #-152
8. Hunkey Hines -134
9. Babe Ruth #-115
10. Ed Delahanty -113
11. Mike Tiernan -102
12. Louis Santop #-98
13. Jack Clements - 94
14. John Newell - 88
15. Joe Visner - 86
16. Jim Andrews -84
17. Frank Brower #-83
18. Frank Reiger #-83
19. Fred Carroll - 79
20. Oscar Charleston #-79
21. Tom Gettinger -79
22. Dan Boone #-74
23. Biff Sheehan -74
24. Andy Lotshaw -73
25. Oyster Burns - 70
26. Irv Ray -70
27. Charlie Reilly - 70

[NYY #23]

After talking so much about Bud Davis last year I probably didn't do Yam Yaryan any justice the last time he led the league. Yaryan did have a long minor league career following his major league career, and had home run titles in 1919, 1920, 1926, and 1932. Yaryan hit 41 in 1920 in the Western League. So with his minor league success his 33 homers isn't too far out of line.



The Babe returned, but with a disappointing 20 home runs as a 27 year old. I'm still hoping for a monster year from Ruth. Both Bud Davis and Dobie Moore appear on the career leaders for the first time, with Andy Lotshaw (73), and three players with 70 (Oyster Burns, Irv Ray, and Charlie Reilly) dropping off.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 135
Lou Gehrig (493) 55

Players to Debut
(47) - next debut: 1924 - Jimmie Foxx (534)

1922 Home Run Leaders
1. Yam Yaryan - 33
2. Bud Davis - 32
3. Lou Gehrig - 30
4. Joe Hauser - 28
5. Frank Reiger - 26
6. Mule Suttles - 26
7. Moose Clabaugh - 25

1922 Home Run Rookie Leader
Mickey Cochrane - 13
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Bud Davis (1921) 35
2. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
3. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
4. Yam Yaryan (1922) 33
5. Bud Davis (1922) 32
6. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
7. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
8. Lou Gehrig (1922) 30
9. Dan Lally (1895) 29
10. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
11. Babe Ruth (1920) 29
12. Babe Ruth (1921) 29

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Lou Gehrig (1921) 25
2. Frank Reiger (1914) 16
3. Mickey Cochrane (1922) 13
4. Al Simmons (1922) 12
5. Babe Ruth (1914) 11
6. Don Boone (1915) 10
7. Gabby Hartnett (1920) 9
8. John Jones (1921) 9
9. Ollie Tucker (1921) 9
10. Bill Bagwell (1915) 8
11. Oscar Charleston (1915) 8
12. Ike Boone (1916) 8
13. Turkey Stearnes (1920) 8
14. Jimmy Hudgens (1922) 8

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Billy Klusman - 189
6. Yam Yaryan #-187
7. Cy Williams #-153
8. Babe Ruth #-135
9. Hunkey Hines -134
10. Ed Delahanty -113
11. Frank Reiger #-109
12. Louis Santop #-103
13. Mike Tiernan -102
14. Frank Brower #-100
15. Oscar Charleston #-96
16. Dan Boone #-95
17. Jack Clements - 94
18. John Newell - 88
19. Bud Davis #-87
20. Joe Visner - 86
21. Jim Andrews -84
22. Fred Carroll - 79
23. Tom Gettinger -79
24. Dobie Moore #-74
25. Biff Sheehan -74

[NYY #23]

With 38 swings of the bat Bud Davis set the new single season home run record, breaking his own previous high of 35. Both Babe and Oscar Charleston returned to the season leaders in 1923.

Yam Yaryan passed the 200 home run mark, and moved up to 5th on the all-time list, while Chick Tolson debuted in 20th, Syl Simon debuted in 21st, and Lou Gehrig debuted in a tie for 25th. Biff Sheehan and his 74 career home runs were off the list.

We also said good bye to Cy Williams this year, who retired in 8th place on the career list. Cy Williams played until 1930 in real life, and finished with 251 career home runs, so with 153 home runs he comes up short of his career totals.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 158
Lou Gehrig (493) 79

Players to Debut
(47) - next debut: 1924 - Jimmie Foxx (534)

1923 Home Run Leaders
1. Bud Davis - 38
2. Lou Gehrig - 24
3. Babe Ruth - 23
4. Mule Suttles - 22
5. Chick Tolson - 19
6. Oscar Charleston - 18
7. Yam Yaryan - 18

1923 Home Run Rookie Leader
Len Koenecke - 11
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Bud Davis (1923) 38
2. Bud Davis (1921) 35
3. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
4. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
5. Yam Yaryan (1922) 33
6. Bud Davis (1922) 32
7. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
8. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
9. Lou Gehrig (1922) 30
10. Dan Lally (1895) 29
11. Billy Klusman (1894) 29
12. Babe Ruth (1920) 29
13. Babe Ruth (1921) 29

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Lou Gehrig (1921) 25
2. Frank Reiger (1914) 16
3. Mickey Cochrane (1922) 13
4. Al Simmons (1922) 12
5. Babe Ruth (1914) 11
6. Len Koenecke (1923) 11
7. Don Boone (1915) 10
8. Gabby Hartnett (1920) 9
9. John Jones (1921) 9
10. Ollie Tucker (1921) 9

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Yam Yaryan #-205
6. Billy Klusman - 189
7. Babe Ruth #-158
8. Cy Williams -153
9. Hunkey Hines -134
10. Bud Davis #-125
11. Frank Reiger #-122
12. Frank Brower #-114
13. Oscar Charleston #-114
14. Ed Delahanty -113
15. Dan Boone #-111
16. Louis Santop #-110
17. Mike Tiernan -102
18. Jack Clements - 94
19. John Newell - 88
20. Chick Tolson #-88
21. Syl Simon #-86
22. Joe Visner - 86
23. Jim Andrews -84
24. Dobie Moore #-81
25. Fred Carroll - 79
26. Lou Gehrig #-79
27. Tom Gettinger -79

[NYY #23]

The All-Time leader in home runs for the Negro League, Mule Suttles has been holding his own since debuting in the league, but this year with 30 home runs Suttles led the league and should continue to become a regular in the league leaders. Suttles hit 237 home runs in the Negro Leagues, and has now reached triple digits with 100 and makes his debut in 20th place on the career leaders.

Another former Negro Leaguer, Cristobal Torriente makes his debut in 24th place on the career leaders. For now that is all I'll say about Torriente, except he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Joe Visner (86), Jim Andrews (84), Fred Carroll (79), and Tom Gettinger (79) all fell off the career leaders.

Jimmie Foxx and his 534 career home runs debuted in the league this year, although the 17 year old has only enjoyed a late season call-up and has yet to hit a home run.

The 400 Club
Active Members of the 400 Club
Babe Ruth (714) 177
Lou Gehrig (493) 102
Jimmie Foxx (534) 0

Players to Debut
(46) - next debut: 1926 - Mel Ott (511)

1924 Home Run Leaders
1. Mule Suttles - 30
2. Bud Davis - 28
3. Lou Gehrig - 23
4. Leroy Jones - 22
5. Babe Ruth - 19
6. Yam Yaryan - 17
7. Oscar Charleston - 16

1924 Home Run Rookie Leader
Pid Purdy/Sam West - 5
-----------------------------------------------
Season Home Run Leaders:
1. Bud Davis (1923) 38
2. Bud Davis (1921) 35
3. Ed Breckenridge (1894) 34
4. Ed Breckenridge (1900) 34
5. Yam Yaryan (1922) 33
6. Bud Davis (1922) 32
7. Buster Burrell (1894) 31
8. Ed Breckenridge (1901) 30
9. Lou Gehrig (1922) 30
10. Mule Suttles (1924) 30

Season Home Run Rookie Leaders:
1. Lou Gehrig (1921) 25
2. Frank Reiger (1914) 16
3. Mickey Cochrane (1922) 13
4. Al Simmons (1922) 12
5. Babe Ruth (1914) 11
6. Len Koenecke (1923) 11
7. Don Boone (1915) 10
8. Gabby Hartnett (1920) 9
9. John Jones (1921) 9
10. Ollie Tucker (1921) 9

Career Home Run Leaders:
1. Ed Breckenridge - 355
2. Dan Lally - 255
3. Henry Cote - 237
4. Buster Burrell - 224
5. Yam Yaryan #-222
6. Billy Klusman - 189
7. Babe Ruth #-177
8. Bud Davis #-153
9. Cy Williams -153
10. Frank Reiger #-136
11. Hunkey Hines -134
12. Oscar Charleston #-130
13. Dan Boone #-119
14. Frank Brower #-117
15. Ed Delahanty -113
16. Louis Santop #-111
17. Lou Gehrig #-102
18. Mike Tiernan -102
19. Syl Simon #-101
20. Mule Suttles #-100
21. Chick Tolson #-97
22. Jack Clements - 94
23. John Newell - 88
24. Cristobal Torriente #-88
25. Dobie Moore #-86