The home run (HR) is baseball’s most spectacular play: the batter hits the ball so hard that he circles all the bases and scores a run, almost always because the ball leaves the field of play. It’s the stat that thrills fans the most and the one that defines the great sluggers.
Types of home run
- Solo: with the bases empty, it produces one run.
- Two- or three-run: depending on how many runners are on base.
- Grand slam: with the bases loaded, the maximum: four runs.
- Inside-the-park: the ball stays in the park and the batter runs all four bases.
How to read it
| Home runs in a season | Level |
|---|---|
| 40 or more | Elite slugger |
| 30 – 39 | Power hitter |
| 20 – 29 | Solid power |
| Fewer than 10 | Little power |
Examples with players
- Albert Pujols joined the exclusive 700-home-run club, one of only four players to do it.
- Sammy Sosa hit more than 600 and starred in the historic 1998 home run chase.
- David Ortiz and Manny Ramírez topped 500, defining an era of Latino power.
[Live data — MLB API] Current-season home run leaders: (filled in automatically).
Leaders and records
- Single-season record: Barry Bonds, with 73 home runs in 2001.
- Career record: Barry Bonds, with 762.
Why it matters
The home run can change a game with a single swing and is the most efficient way to produce runs. That’s why power hitters are the best paid and the ones who fill the ballparks.
Related stats
Frequently asked questions
What is a grand slam?
A home run with the bases loaded, which produces four runs at once.
How many home runs make a batter elite?
Topping 40 in a season puts a hitter among the best sluggers in the league.
