Lipman Lip<\/i> Pike\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21 (21)<\/p>\n

Outfielder-first baseman Lip Pike is generally acknowledged as the leading major league home run hitter of the 1870s, with 21. Playing for the National Association\u2019s Troy Haymakers, Baltimore Canaries, Hartford Dark Blues, Saint Louis Brown Stockings, Cincinnati Reds and Providence Grays, Pike led the league in home runs in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1877.\u00a0 Pike is also recognized as one of the game\u2019s first \u201cprofessional\u201d players \u2013 accepting a salary to play baseball as early as 1866 (a reported twenty dollars a week from the Philadelphia Athletics). With the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP)<\/i>, founded in 1871, considered the first professional baseball league, Pike ico-holds the title of\u00a0professional baseball\u2019s first-ever home run champion<\/b><\/span> \u2013 with four home runs in 1871 (tied with Chicago\u2019s Treacey and Philadelphia\u2019s Levi Meyerle).<\/p>\n

Harry Stovey \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a089 (122)<\/i><\/p>\n

Dan Brouthers \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b>77 (106)<\/b><\/p>\n

Fred Dandelion<\/i> Pfeffer \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 71 (94)<\/p>\n

Jerry Denny \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 70 (74)<\/p>\n

$\"Babe$ <\/a>
Babe Ruth<\/p><\/div>\n
The 1920s were all about Babe Ruth, who out-homered the number-two man on the decade list by more than 200 home runs.\u00a0 In 1920, Ruth broke his own season home run record of 29, crashing an unimagined 54; and he broke that record twice more in the decade. To further illustrate the Bambino\u2019s dominance, there were fourteen 40+ homer seasons in the decade and Ruth had nine of them (as well as 7 of 8 of the 45+ homer seasons).\u00a0 In 1920 and 1927, the Yankee slugger actually out-homered every other AL team.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Cardinals\u2019 second baseman Rogers Hornsby led the NL in homers twice in the decade (42 in 1922 and 39 in 1925), but is better known for his seven batting titles in the 1920s \u2013 and for topping .400 three times.\u00a0 Only Ty Cobb, Ed Delahanty and Hornsby can boast three .400+ qualifying seasons.<\/p>\n
Phillies\u2019 outfielder Cy Williams led the NL in home runs three times during the decade, with a career-best total of 41 in 1923.<\/p>\n
1930-39<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Jimmie Double XX<\/i> Foxx\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>415\u00a0 (534)<\/p>\n
Lou Iron Horse<\/i> Gehrig \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/b>347 (493)<\/p>\n
Mel Ott\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>308 (511)<\/p>\n
Jimmie Foxx manned first base, third base and catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox during the \u201930s, and nabbed four HR titles in the decade, topping 50 homers twice. During his career, he hit at least thirty homers in 12 consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n
Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig grabbed three AL home run titles during the same span, and while he never hit 50 HRs in a season, he did reach 49 twice in the decade.<\/p>\n
Over in the NL, Giants\u2019 outfielder Mel Ott captured five HR titles in the 1930s, despite never reaching forty homers in a season (he did park a career-high 42 long balls in 1929).<\/p>\n
1940-49<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Ted Williams\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>234\u00a0 (521)<\/p>\n
Johnny Mize\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>217\u00a0 (359)<\/p>\n
Bill Nicholson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 211 \u00a0(235)<\/p>\n
No, there wasn\u2019t a power outage in the 1940s, there was World War II and the decade\u2019s HR leader, Ted Williams, lost three years to military service.\u00a0 In the seven seasons he did play, The Red Sox\u2019 Splendid Splinter won four HR titles and averaged just over 33 homers a campaign. \u00a0His .406 average in 1941 marks the last time an MLB batting champion finished at .400 or better.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Number-two on the decade\u2019s dinger list, Johnny Mize, also lost three years to military service. In the 1940s, he still managed three NL HR titles (for the Cardinals and the Giants) and hit a career-high 51 long balls in 1947.<\/p>\n
Cubs\u2019 outfielder Bill Nicholson rounds out the top three. Nicholson played all ten seasons (1940-49) and led the NL in home runs and RBI in 1943 and 1944. Nicholson is officially listed as one of six major league hitter to draw an intentional walk with the bases loaded<\/b><\/span> (1944).\u00a0 The others are Abner Dalyrmple (1881), Napoleon Lajoie (1901), Barry Bonds (1998) and Josh Hamilton (2008).<\/p>\n
1950-59<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Edwin Duke<\/i> Snider \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/b>326\u00a0 (407)<\/p>\n
Gil Hodges\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 310\u00a0 (370)<\/p>\n
Eddie Mathews \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/b>299\u00a0 (512)<\/p>\n
Mickey Mantle \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b>280\u00a0 (536)<\/p>\n
$\"Duke$ <\/a>
Duke Snider<\/p><\/div>\n
A pair of Dodgers topped the decade of the 1950s \u2013 centerfielder Duke Snider and first baseman Gil Hodges were number one and two in home runs \u2013 despite winning only one HR title between them (Snider with 43 in 1956). \u00a0Snider did reach 40 homers five straight seasons, collecting 207 of his round trippers from 1953 to 1957.<\/p>\n
The Brooklyn\/LA pair were followed by a couple of power-hitting future Hall of Famers in Braves\u2019 third baseman Eddie Mathews and Yankees\u2019 centerfielder Mickey Mantle, who came up to the majors in 1952 and 1951, respectively. Mantle won three AL HR crowns in the decade, while Mathews led the NL twice. \u00a0A couple of notes of interest, Mathews is the only player to play for the same franchise in three cities<\/b><\/span> (Boston, Atlanta, Milwaukee Braves) and was on the cover of the first issue of Sports Illustrated<\/em><\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/em> (August 16, 1954); \u00a0in 1997, the Topps Baseball Card company retired Mantle\u2019s number seven <\/b><\/span>from its base sets.\u00a0 Topps brought number seven out of retirement in 2006, but reserves it for cards featuring Mantle.<\/p>\n
1960-69<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Harmon Killebrew\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>393\u00a0 (573)<\/b><\/p>\n
Hank Aaron\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>375\u00a0 (755)<\/p>\n
Willie Mays\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>350\u00a0 (660)<\/p>\n
Washington Senator\/Minnesota Twin Harmon Killebrew led all of MLB with 393 homers in the 1960s, topping 40 six times during the decade – in which he also led the AL in homers six times.\u00a0 In 1965, Killebrew <\/strong>was elected to start at first base for AL All Star team, becoming the first player elected to an All Star Team at three positions<\/b><\/span> (Killebrew had previously been elected to start at 3B and LF).<\/p>\n
The number-two home run hitter of the decade was Milwaukee\/Atlanta Braves\u2019 outfielder Hank Aaron, whose 375 HRs led the NL. Hank hit 40 or more five times during the decade, capturing three NL HR titles.<\/p>\n
Third on the list for the \u201960s is Giants\u2019 centerfielder Willie Mays, who also took three HR titles and is the only one of the top three to reach the seats 50 times in a season (52 in 1965).<\/p>\n
1970-79<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Willie Stargell<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 296\u00a0 (475)<\/p>\n
Reggie Jackson<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 292\u00a0 (563)<\/p>\n
Johnny Bench<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 290\u00a0 (389)<\/p>\n
Pirates\u2019 outfielder Willie Stargell won two league HR titles on his way to an MLB-tops 296 home runs in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
Reggie Jackson, who spent time in the 1970s with the Athletics and the Yankees, finished second during the decade with 292 homers \u2013 despite never reaching forty in that ten-year span (he did top 40 twice in his career). During the decade, Jackson led the AL with 32 HRs in 1973 and 36 in 1975. On another career note, Jackson is the only member of the 500-HR club to never hit 30 or more homers in consecutive seasons.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench captured two HR titles and two NL MVP awards, while hitting 290 long balls in the decade.<\/p>\n
1980-89 \u00a0<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Mike Schmidt <\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 313\u00a0 (548)<\/p>\n
Dale Murphy \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 308\u00a0 (398)<\/p>\n
Eddie Murray<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 274\u00a0 (504)<\/p>\n
Mike Schmidt was \u201cwinding down\u201d his career in the 1980s (1989 was his last season) and would have gone well beyond his 313 HR total for the decade if it hadn\u2019t been for reduced playing time and only 18 home runs his final two seasons.\u00a0 Still, the Phillies\u2019 third baseman did earn five of his eight home run titles and all three of his NL MVP Awards during the decade.<\/p>\n
Braves\u2019 centerfielder Dale Murphy finished second to Schmidt in 1980s\u2019 long balls, with two HR titles and a high of 44 in 1987. Murphy also earned consecutive NL MVP Awards in 1982-83.<\/p>\n
Eddie Murray won only one HR title in his career, with 22 homers for the Orioles\u2019 in the strike-shortened 1981 season.\u00a0 The switch-hitting Murray\u2019s career high in homers in a season was 33 (in 1983), the lowest career-best for any member of the 500-HR club.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
1990-99<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Mark McGwire \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0405\u00a0 (583)<\/p>\n
Ken Griffey, Jr. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 382\u00a0 (630)<\/p>\n
Barry Bonds\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 361\u00a0 (762)<\/p>\n
Albert Belle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 351\u00a0 (381)<\/p>\n
The Athletics\/Cardinals\u2019 Mark McGwire topped 400 homers for the decade, despite hitting a total of only 18 in the 1993-94 seasons (when he played only 74 games). He led the league in homers three times in the decade; and led all of baseball with 58 homers in 1997, but led neither league (he was traded at the end of July after hitting 34 homers for the AL Athletics, and went on to hit 24 for the NL Cardinals). McGwire is the only player to be traded in the midst of a 50-homer season.<\/strong><\/span> McGwire hit 245 homers in the last four seasons of the decade, including a high of 70 for the Cardinals in 1998.\u00a0 During that stretch he homered a remarkable once in every 8.5 at bats.Ken Griffey, Jr. played the entire decade with the Seattle Mariners, leading the AL in homers four times. From July 20 to July 28, 1983 Griffey homered in eight straight games<\/strong><\/span>, tying a MLB record (Don Mattingly\/1987 and Dale Long\/1956).<\/p>\n
All-time career and single-season home run leader Barry Bonds (who patrolled the outfield for the Pirates and Giants in the 1990s) surprisingly led the NL in homers only twice in his career and just once in the decade of the \u201890s (46 in 1993).\u00a0 Of course, leading the NL in walks twelve times (five times in the 1990s) may have something to do with that. Notably, Bonds is the career leader in intentional walks<\/strong><\/span> (688).\u00a0 As of 2013, Hank Aaron ranked second (293) and still active Albert Pujols third (275).<\/p>\n
Albert Belle played outfield\/DH for the Indians, White Sox and Orioles during the 1990s.\u00a0 He led the AL in home runs in 1995 \u2013 also becoming the only player to hit 50 or more doubles and 50 or more homers in the same season.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
2000-09<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
Alex Rodriguez \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0435\u00a0 (654)<\/p>\n
Jim Thome \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0368\u00a0 (612)<\/p>\n
Albert Pujols\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 366\u00a0 (492)<\/p>\n
The 2000s\u2019 HR leader, Alex Rodriguez, played for three teams over the course of the decade: Seattle Mariners (2000), Texas Rangers (2001-03) and New York Yankees (2004-09). He led the AL in home runs five times in that span, topping 50 three times. In 2001, Rodriguez hit 52 home runs setting a new MLB single-season record for shortstops (the Cubs\u2019 Ernie Banks had the previous high at 47). Rodriguez broke his own record with 57 round trippers in 2002 and remains the only shortstop to hit 50 or more homers in a season<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 (His third 50-homer season \u2013 54 HRs \u2013 came in 2007 as a third baseman.)<\/p>\n
First baseman\/DH Jim Thome spent time with four teams during the decade: Cleveland Indians (2000-2002); Philadelphia Phillies (2003-05); Chicago White Sox (2006-09); LA Dodgers (late 2009).\u00a0 He won his only home run crown with the Phillies (47 HRs in 2003) and hit 52 dingers for the Indians in 2002.<\/p>\n
Then Cardinal, now Angel, Albert Pujols started his MLB career with a bang in 2001 \u2013 collecting 37 home runs, 130 RBI and a .329 average as a rookie. For the decade, he never hit fewer than 32 home runs, plated fewer than 116 RBIs or hit under .314 in any season. He won the NL home run crown in 2009.\u00a0 Now primarily a first baseman, Pujols came up as a player without a position (other than a predominant spot in the batter\u2019s box).\u00a0 In 2001, he played 39 games in left field, 39 in right field, 42 at first base and 55 at third base.\u00a0 In 2002, he spent most of his time in left field, but also played first base, third base and even notched a few innings in right field and at shortstop.<\/p>\n
Most Home Runs in Any Ten-Season Span<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
When you look at the most home runs in a decade from another angle (a decade being any ten-season period, regardless of dates), the results are dominated by two players from two different eras \u2013 Sammy Sosa and Babe Ruth.\u00a0 The fact is, only three players have average 45 home runs a season over any ten-year span \u2013 Sosa, Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
479 HRs \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sammy Sosa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1995-2004<\/p>\n
469 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Sammy Sosa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1994-2003<\/p>\n
467 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Babe Ruth<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01920-1929<\/p>\n
462 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Babe Ruth<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01921-1930<\/p>\n
462 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Sammy Sosa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1993-2002<\/p>\n
457 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Sammy Sosa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1996-2005<\/p>\n
455 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Babe Ruth<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01923-1932<\/p>\n
454 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Alex Rodriguez \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01998-2007<\/p>\n
450 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Babe Ruth<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01919-1928<\/p>\n
When you consider eras, Babe Ruth\u2019s appearances on this list reflect a far greater level of dominance than Sosa\u2019s.\u00a0 In the fourteen seasons (1919-32) that make up Ruth\u2019s four appearances on the list, Ruth led his league in home runs eleven times.\u00a0 Sosa\u2019s appearances on the list span thirteen seasons (1993-2005), during which he led his league in home runs only twice.\u00a0 Sosa, in fact, is the only player to notch three seasons of 60 or more home runs<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 and he did not lead the league in any of those years. \u00a0Further evidence of Ruth\u2019s dominance is that, again for the period that makes up his appearances on this list, four players racked up a total of 13 seasons of 45 or more homers \u2013 and nine of those belong to Ruth. During the years that make up Sosa\u2019s appearances on the list, 29 players achieved a total of 58 45+-HR campaigns \u2013 and five of those belonged to Sosa.<\/p>\n
Most Home Runs First Ten Seasons<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Now let\u2019s look at players who got a fast start on the major league slugging careers \u2013 those who averaged at least 35 home runs a year over their FIRST<\/b> ten seasons.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Albert Pujols\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 408\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2001-10 \u00a0 \u00a0 (492)<\/p>\n
Eddie Mathews<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 370\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1952-61 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(512)<\/p>\n
Ralph Kiner<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 369\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1946-55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (369)<\/p>\n
Adam Dunn\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 354\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2001-10 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0(440)<\/p>\n
Ken Griffey, Jr. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 350\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1989-98 \u00a0 \u00a0 (630)<\/p>\n
$\"Albert$ <\/a>
Albert Pujols<\/p><\/div>\n
Albert Pujols came up at age 21with the Cardinals and is the only player to achieve at least 30 homers, 100 RBI and a .300+ average in each of his first ten seasons.<\/strong> <\/span>Pujols won two HR titles in those first ten seasons, and topped 40 home runs five times.<\/p>\n
Eddie Mathews joined the Boston Braves at age 21, hitting 25 homers as a rookie and went on to win his first HR title the following year \u2013with 47 for the transplanted Milwaukee Braves.\u00a0 He won one more HR title in is first ten seasons, hit more than 30 for nine of the ten years and topped 40 homers four times.<\/p>\n
Ralph Kiner deserves special mention.\u00a0 Kiner won the NL home run crown as a 23 year-old Pirates\u2019 rookie in 1946 \u2013 and went on to capture the next six NL home run titles<\/strong><\/span>. \u00a0\u00a0As the result of a back injury, Kiner retired at the age of 32 \u2013 after ten seasons split among the Pirates, Cubs and Indians.<\/p>\n
Adam Dunn joined the Cincinnati Reds in 2001, and (at the age of 21) slugged 19 homers in just 66 games.\u00a0 While Dunn has not yet won a home run title, he has been a paragon of power consistency \u2013 from 2004-2010, his yearly HR totals were 46-40-40-40-40-38-38.\u00a0 In his first decade, Dunn patrolled the outfield and played some first base for the Reds, Diamondbacks and Nationals.<\/p>\n
Ken Griffey, Jr. joined the Mariners at age 19, and didn\u2019t get off to as fast a start as some of the others on this list \u2013 averaging just under 22 home runs a season over his first four campaigns. Between 1994 and 1998, however, he turned on the after burners \u2013 winning three AL HR titles, and topping 50 home runs twice.\u00a0 In addition, the power hitting centerfielder won nine Gold Gloves in his first ten seasons.<\/p>\n
Hope you enjoyed this look at dingers by the decade.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 1920, Yankee slugger Babe Ruth out-homered every other AL team. Pirate rookie outfielder Ralph Kiner won the NL home run crown as rookie in 1946 \u2013 and then went on to hold the crown for a record seven consecutive seasons. Mark McGwire is the only player ever traded in the midst of a 50+ […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n