The New York Yankees, MLB.com reports, have now hit at least three home runs in five consecutive games (May 19-23) … the second-longest such streak recorded in MLB. (The 1987 Orioles hit at least three home runs in six straight from May 8 to May 13 of that season.)
When the 1977 Red Sox bashed 21 long balls over a five-game span, George “Boomer” Scott was responsible for six of the blasts.
The Yankees also tied an MLB record with 21 home runs in that five-game span. As always, a little bit of information is a dangerous thing for Baseball Roundtable. That five-game mark (In baseball we do count everything, and in every way possible, don’t we?) sent me on a mission for more information. Specifically, a look at the three teams that share the five-game/21-dinger record … how they fared during the streak and who were the primary authors of those 21 long-balls.
Let’s start with the 2018 Yankees. Who hit their 21 shots between May 19 and May 23.
- They won three games and lost two over that span.
- They outscored their opponents 42 to 27.
- Their power output was pretty consistent. Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 5-4-5-3-4.
- Ten different players contributed home runs toward the record total.
The leader in the Bronx Bombers’ Barrage (I do love alliteration) was second baseman Gleyber Torres, who collected five of the 21 home runs and now has eight on the year. During the streak, the Yankee rookie hit .300 (6-for-20), with five home runs, ten RBI and five runs scored. Here’s a list of the Yankees who contributed to the 21 long balls, with their totals during the streak and on the season.
- Gleyber Torres, 2B … Five during the streak, eight on the season.
- Neil Walker, 1B … Two during the streak, two on the season.
- Aaron Judge, RF … Two during the streak, 13 on the season.
- Miguel Andujar, 3B … Two during the streak, five on the season.
- Austin Romine, C … Two during the streak, two on the season.
- Aaron Hicks, CF … Two during the streak, five on the season.
- Tyler Austin, 1B … Two during the streak, eight on the season.
- Gary Sanchez, C … Two during the streak, 12 on the season.
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH … One during the streak, 11 on the season.
- Didi Gegorius, SS … One during the streak, 11 on the season.
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Let’s go now to the 1999 Reds, whose five-game/21-dinger streak ran from September 4-7.
- They won four games and lost one over that span.
- They outscored their opponents 48 to 18.
- Their streak was built on a pair of big power bookends. Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 9-5-1-0-6.
- The fourth and fifth games were part of a September 7 doubleheader in which the Reds hit zero home runs in game one and six in game two.
- They are the only team to go without a homer for a game during their streak.
- Nine different players contributed home runs toward the record total.
Left fielder Greg Vaughn, who hit 45 homers that season, led the way with five round-trippers during the streak. During the five-game span, he hit .333 (6-for-18), with five home runs, 11 RBI and nine runs scored. Here are the players who contributed, with their home run count during the streak and for the full season.
- Greg Vaughn, LF … Five during the streak, 45 for the season.
- Aaron Boone, 3B … Three during the streak, 14 for the season.
- Dmitri Young, RF … Three during the streak, 14 for the season.
- Jeffrey Hammonds, RF … Three during the streak, 17 for the season.
- Ed Taubensee, C … Three during the streak, 21 for the season.
- Pokey Reese, 2B … One during the streak, ten for the season.
- Brian Johnson, C …One during the streak, five for the season.
- Mark Lewis, 3B … One during the streak, six for the season.
- Mike Cameron, CF … One during the streak, 21 for the season.
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Finally, there’s the 1977 Red Sox, whose streak ran from June 14-19.
- They won four games and lost one over that span.
- They outscored their opponents 40 to 17.
- Game-by-game, their home run totals were: 3-2-6-5-5.
- Eight different players contributed home runs toward the record total.
The Red Sox’ five-game/21-home run streak included a three-game sweep of the arch-rival Yankees in which the Red Sox outscored the New Yorkers 30-9.
The big boomer in the streak was George “Boomer” Scott, who was responsible for six of the long balls and hit at least one home run in each game. During the five games, Scott hit .500 (10-for-20), with six homers, nine RBI and seven runs scored. Here are the contributors, with the number of home runs during the streak and for the full season.
- George Scott, 1B … Six during the streak, 26 for the season.
- Carl Yastrzemski, LF … Four during the streak, 28 for the season.
- Bernie Carbo, RF … Four during the streak, 15 for the season.
- Jim Rice, DH … Two during the streak, 39 for the season.
- Carlton Fisk, C … Two during the streak, 26 for the season.
- Rick Burleson, SS …One during the streak, three for the season.
- Denny Doyle 2B …One during the streak, two for the season.
- Fred Lynn, CF … One during the streak, 18 for the season.
Primary Resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com
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