Baseball; the Last Great American Pastime by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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1883 Harry Stovey 14
1884 John Reilly 11
1884 Fred Dunlap 13
1885 Harry Stovey 13
1887 Tip O'Neill 14
1888 John Reilly 13
1889 Harry Stovey 19
1891 Duke Farrell 12
Decade Highs and Lows of Runs and Home Runs
Years AvgRPG AvgHRPG
1890-99 4.96-7.44 .23-.40 1900-09 3.38-5.21 .10-.22 1910-19 3.56-4.53 .14-.21 1920-29 4.36-5.19 .26-.63 1930-39 4.48-5.55 .43-.64 1940-49 3.91-4.68 .37-.69 1950-59 4.18-4.85 .69-.93 1960-69 3.42-4.07 .61-.95 1970-79 3.69-4.46 .58-.88 1980-89 4.00-4.72 .64-1.06 1990-99 4.12-5.08 .72-1.14 2000-09 4.28-5.14 1.00-1.17
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2010-16 4.07-4.32 .86-1.07
I’ll confess my ignorance right here. Cut me some slack;
I’m just a fan. Some of these numbers were a complete surprise
to me. I gathered this information in an attempt to determine if
either runs scored or home runs produced greater fan interest.
It is always said that fans love offense, but gauging their love
of the game by stadium attendance there should be a demonstrable
relationship between attendance and either runs scored or home
runs, perhaps adjusted for US population increases. Continual
increased attendance would denote something like “unconditional
love,” while fluctuations in relative positions would indicate a
fickle fandom. The search continues.
In conjunction with the presumed relationship between
offensive display and popularity, I was amazed at the relative
run production during the “Deadball” era which is said to have
ended around 1920. That the ball was indeed dead is the
overwhelming expert opinion; though there is a minority case
which could be the subject of a book by itself; a small one
anyway. But look at the average runs per game recorded in the
1910’s and 1920’s. Yes, they are lower than most decades, but
not as much as I expected. Especially on the high end, the 5.21
RPG of the 1910’s is second only to the 5.55 of the 1930’s. Look
at the numbers from the 1890’s Pitcher’s ERA’s just above 2.00
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As a curiosity I’ll merely mention that the highest number
of runs per game occurred in 1871. The 10.47 average was
recorded in the same season as one of the lowest recorded
average home runs per game of .19; .10 being the lowest. That
means there was one home run hit every ten games which involved
twenty teams.
In addition the hitting slowdown did not occur in the
1970’s. It started in the 1960’s when Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Frank
Robinson and Killebrew were still in their good years and aging
Ted Williams and Musial were still around. There is another
conclusion which surprised me. Run production has some degree of
a relationship with home runs; but it is a weak one. Yeah, I
know; try telling that to the GM who wants to outbid everyone
for the free agent with power.
Pitching Records
Lowest Lifetime ERA’s
Player ERA Played From-To
Eddie Walsh 1.816 1904-17
Addie Joss 1.887 1902-10
Jim Devlin 1.896 1873-77
Jack Pfiester 2.024 1903-04,1906-11
Smoky Joe Wood 2.033 1908-15,1917-22
Mordecai Brown 2.057 1903-16
John Montgomery Ward 2.099 1878-94
Christy Mathewson 2.133 1900-16
Al Spalding 2.133 1866-78
Tommy Bond 2.138 1874-82,1884
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Rube Waddell 2.161 1897,1899-1910
Walter Johnson 2.167 1907-27
Mariano Rivera 2.209 1995-2013
Jake Weimer 2.231 1903-09
Orval Overall 2.233 1905-10,1913
Will White 2.276 1877-86
Babe Ruth 2.277 1914–1935
Ed Reulbach 2.284 1905-17
Jim Scott 2.298 1909-17
Reb Russell 2.334 1913-19,1922-23
Andy Coakley 2.350 1902-09,1911
Eddie Plank 2.350 1901-17
Larry Corcoran 2.355 1880-87
Eddie Cicotte 2.380 1905-20
George McQuillan 2.381 1907-11,1913-
16,1918
Ed Killian 2.382 1903-10
Clayton Kershaw 2.386 2008-present
Doc White 2.391 1901-13
Harry Coveleski 2.394 1907-10,1914-18
Carl Lundgren 2.417 1902-09
Nap Rucker 2.421 1907-16
Candy Cummings 2.424 1866-77
Jeff Tesreau 2.428 1912-18
Joe Benz 2.429 1911-19
Jim McCormick 2.431 1878-87
George Bradley 2.434 1875-77,1879-
84,1886,1888
Terry Larkin 2.455 1876-80,1884
Chief Bender 2.455 1903-17,1925
Hooks Wiltse 2.471 1904-15
Sam Leever 2.473 1898-1910
Lefty Leifield 2.473 1905-13,1918-20
Hippo Vaughn 2.486 1908, 1910-21
Bob Ewing 2.492 1902-12
Cy Morgan 2.509 1903-05,1907-13
Ray Collins 2.513 1909-15
Hoyt Wilhelm 2.523 1952-72
Lew Richie 2.536 1906-13
Noodles Hahn 2.546 1899-1906
George Zettlein 2.547 1865-76
Frank Owen 2.552 1901,1903-09
Most Lifetime Wins
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Player W
Cy Young 511
Walter Johnson 417
Grover Cleveland Alexander 373
Pud Galvin 365
Warren Spahn 363
Kid Nichols 361
Greg Maddux 355
Roger Clemens 354
Tim Keefe 342
Steve Carlton 329
John Clarkson 328
Eddie Plank 326
Nolan Ryan 324
Don Sutton 324
Phil Niekro 318
Gaylord Perry 314
Tom Seaver 311
Charles Radbourn 309
Mickey Welch 307
Tom Glavine 305
Randy Johnson 303
Lefty Grove 300
Early Wynn 300
Bobby Mathews 297
Tommy John 288
Bert Blyleven 287
Robin Roberts 286
Ferguson Jenkins 284
Tony Mullane 284
Jim Kaat 283
Red Ruffing 273
Burleigh Grimes 270
Mike Mussina 270
Jamie Moyer 269
Jim Palmer 268
Bob Feller 266
Eppa Rixey 266
Jim McCormick 265
Gus Weyhing 264
Ted Lyons 260
Andy Pettitte 256
Red Faber 254
Jack Morris 254
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Carl Hubbell 253
Albert Spalding 252
Bob Gibson 251
Vic Willis 249
Jack Quinn 247
Joe McGinnity 246
Amos Rusie 246
Dennis Martínez 245
Jack Powell 245
Juan Marichal 243
Herb Pennock 241
Frank Tanana 240
Mordecai Brown 239
David Wells 239
Clark Griffith 237
Waite Hoyt 237
Whitey Ford 236
Tommy Bond 234
Sad Sam Jones 229
Luis Tiant 229
Will White 229
George Mullin 228
Jim Bunning 224
Catfish Hunter 224
Hooks Dauss 223
Paul Derringer 223
Mel Harder 223
Bartolo Colón 222
Tim Hudson 222
Jerry Koosman 222
Joe Niekro 221
Jerry Reuss 220
Pedro Martínez 219
Kenny Rogers 219
Bob Caruthers 218
Earl Whitehill 218
Mickey Lolich 217
CC Sabathia 217
Wilbur Cooper 216
Charlie Hough 216
Curt Schilling 216
Stan Coveleski 215
Jim Perry 215
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Mark Buehrle 214
Rick Reuschel 214
John Smoltz 213
Chief Bender 212
Kevin Brown 211
Bobo Newsom 211
Billy Pierce 211
Bob Welch 211
Jesse Haines 210
Vida Blue 209
Eddie Cicotte 209
Don Drysdale 209
Milt Pappas 209
Bob Lemon 207
Carl Mays 207
Hal Newhouser 207
Orel Hershiser 204
Al Orth 204
Lew Burdette 203
Roy Halladay 203
Silver King 203
Jack Stivetts 203
Rube Marquard 201
Charlie Root 201
Chuck Finley 200
George Uhle 200
Tim Wakefield 200
Most Lifetime Wins After 1920
Player W
Warren Spahn 363
Greg Maddux 355
Roger Clemens 354
Steve Carlton 329
Nolan Ryan 324
Don Sutton 324
Phil Niekro 318
Gaylord Perry 314
Tom Seaver 311
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Tom Glavine 305
Randy Johnson 303
Lefty Grove 300
Early Wynn 300
Tommy John 288
Bert Blyleven 287
Robin Roberts 286
Ferguson Jenkins 284
Jim Kaat 283
Red Ruffing 273
Burleigh Grimes 270
Mike Mussina 270
Jamie Moyer 269
Jim Palmer 268
Bob Feller 266
Eppa Rixey 266
Ted Lyons 260
Andy Pettitte 256
Red Faber 254
Jack Morris 254
Carl Hubbell 253
Bob Gibson 251
Dennis Martínez 245
Juan Marichal 243
Herb Pennock 241
Frank Tanana 240
Mordecai Brown 239
David Wells 239
Waite Hoyt 237
Whitey Ford 236
Sad Sam Jones 229
Luis Tiant 229
Jim Bunning 224
Catfish Hunter 224
Paul Derringer 223
Mel Harder 223
Bartolo Colón 222
Tim Hudson 222
Jerry Koosman 222
Joe Niekro 221
Jerry Reuss 220
Pedro Martínez 219
Kenny Rogers 219
Mickey Lolich 217
CC Sabathia 217
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Charlie Hough 216
Curt Schilling 216
Jim Perry 215
Mark Buehrle 214
Rick Reuschel 214
John Smoltz 213
Kevin Brown 211
Bobo Newsom 211
Billy Pierce 211
Bob Welch 211
Vida Blue 209
Don Drysdale 209
Milt Pappas 209
Bob Lemon 207
Hal Newhouser 207
Orel Hershiser 204
Lew Burdette 203
Roy Halladay 203
Charlie Root 201
Chuck Finley 200
George Uhle 200
Tim Wakefield 200
Season ERA Leaders
Year NL Leader ERA
1876 George Bradley 1.23
1877 Tommy Bond 2.11
1878 John Montgomery Ward 1.51
1879 Tommy Bond 1.96
1881 Stump Wiedman 1.80
1882 Larry Corcoran 1.95
1883 Jim McCormick 1.84
1884 Charles Radbourn 1.38
1886 Henry Boyle 1.76
1889 John Clarkson 2.73
1890 Billy Rhines 1.95
1891 John Ewing 2.27
1893 Ted Breitenstein 3.18
1894 Amos Rusie 2.78
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1896 Billy Rhines 2.45
1897 Amos Rusie 2.54
1898 Clark Griffith 1.88
1899 Vic Willis 2.50
1900 Rube Waddell 2.37
1901 Jesse Tannehill 2.18
1902 Jack Taylor 1.33
1903 Sam Leever 2.06
1904 Joe McGinnity 1.61
1905 Christy Mathewson 1.28
1906 Mordecai Brown 1.04
1907 Jack Pfiester 1.15
1908 Christy Mathewson 1.43
1909 Christy Mathewson 1.14
1911 Christy Mathewson 1.99
1912 Jeff Tesreau 1.96
1913 Christy Mathewson 2.06
1915 GC Alexander 1.22
1916 GC Alexander 1.55
1917 Fred Anderson 1.44
1918 Hippo Vaughn 1.74
1919 GC Alexander 1.72
1920 GC Alexander 1.91
1922 Phil Douglas 2.63
1923 Dolf Luque 1.93
1924 Dazzy Vance 2.16
1925 Dolf Luque 2.63
1926 Ray Kremer 2.61
1927 Ray Kremer 2.47
1928 Dazzy Vance 2.09
1929 Bill Walker 3.09
1930 Dazzy Vance 2.61
1931 Bill Walker 2.26
1932 Lon Warneke 2.37
1933 Carl Hubbell 1.66
1934 Carl Hubbell 2.30
1935 Cy Blanton 2.58
1936 Carl Hubbell 2.31
1937 Jim Turner 2.38
1939 Bucky Walters 2.29
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1940 Bucky Walters 2.48
1941 Elmer Riddle 2.24
1942 Mort Cooper 1.78
1943 Max Lanier 1.90
1944 Ed Heusser 2.38
1946 Howie Pollet 2.10
1947 Warren Spahn 2.33
1948 Harry Brecheen 2.24
1949 Dave Koslo 2.50
1950 Sal Maglie 2.71
1951 Chet Nichols, Jr. 2.88
1952 Hoyt Wilhelm 2.43
1953 Warren Spahn 2.10
1954 Johnny Antonelli 2.30
1955 Bob Friend 2.83
1956 Lew Burdette 2.70
1957 Johnny Podres 2.66
1958 Stu Miller 2.47
1960 Mike McCormick 2.70
1961 Warren Spahn 3.02
1962 Sandy Koufax 2.54
1963 Sandy Koufax 1.88
1964 Sandy Koufax 1.74
1965 Sandy Koufax 2.04
1966 Sandy Koufax 1.73
1967 Phil Niekro 1.87
1968 Bob Gibson 1.12
1969 Juan Marichal 2.10
1970 Tom Seaver 2.82
1971 Tom Seaver 1.76
1972 Steve Carlton 1.97
1973 Tom Seaver 2.08
1974 Buzz Capra 2.28
1975 Randy Jones 2.24
1976 John Denny 2.52
1977 John Candelaria 2.34
1978 Craig Swan 2.43
1979 J. R. Richard 2.71
1980 Don Sutton 2.20
1981 Nolan Ryan 1.69
1982 Steve Rogers 2.40
1983 Atlee Hammaker 2.25
1984 Alejandro Peña 2.48
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1985 Dwight Gooden 1.53
1986 Mike Scott 2.22
1987 Nolan Ryan† 2.76
1988 Joe Magrane 2.18
1989 Scott Garrelts 2.28
1990 Danny Darwin 2.21
1991 Dennis Martínez 2.39
1992 Bill Swift 2.08
1993 Greg Maddux 2.36
1994 Greg Maddux 1.56
1995 Greg Maddux 1.63
1996 Kevin Brown 1.89
1997 Pedro Martínez 1.90
1998 Greg Maddux† 2.22
1999 Randy Johnson 2.48
2000 Kevin Brown 2.58
2001 Randy Johnson 2.49
2002 Randy Johnson 2.32
2003 Jason Schmidt 2.34
2004 Jake Peavy 2.27
2005 Roger Clemens 1.87
2006 Roy Oswalt 2.98
2007 Jake Peavy 2.54
2008 Johan Santana 2.53
2009 Chris Carpenter 2.24
2010 Josh Johnson 2.30
2011 Clayton Kershaw 2.28
2012 Clayton Kershaw 2.53
2013 Clayton Kershaw 1.83
2014 Clayton Kershaw 1.77
2015 Zack Greinke 1.66
Year AL Leader ERA
1903 Earl Moore 1.74
1904 Addie Joss 1.59
1905 Rube Waddell 1.48
1907 Eddie Walsh 1.60
1908 Addie Joss 1.16
1909 Harry Krause 1.39
1910 Eddie Walsh 1.27
1911 Vean Gregg 1.80
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1912 Walter Johnson 1.39
1913 Walter Johnson 1.14
1914 Dutch Leonard 0.96
1917 Eddie Cicotte 1.53
1918 Walter Johnson 1.27
1919 Walter Johnson 1.49
1920 Bob Shawkey 2.45
1923 Stan Coveleski 2.76
1924 Walter Johnson 2.72
1925 Stan Coveleski 2.84
1926 Lefty Grove 2.51
1927 Wilcy Moore 2.28
1928 Garland Braxton 2.51
1929 Lefty Grove 2.81
1930 Lefty Grove 2.54
1931 Lefty Grove 2.06
1932 Lefty Grove 2.84
1933 Mel Harder 2.95
1934 Lefty Gomez 2.33
1935 Lefty Grove 2.70
1936 Lefty Grove 2.81
1937 Lefty Gomez 2.33
1938 Lefty Grove 3.08
1939 Lefty Grove 2.54
1940 Bob Feller 2.61
1941 Thornton Lee 2.37
1943 Spud Chandler 1.64
1944 Dizzy Trout 2.12
1945 Hal Newhouser 1.81
1946 Hal Newhouser 1.94
1947 Joe Haynes 2.42
1948 Gene Bearden 2.43
1949 Mike Garcia 2.36
1950 Early Wynn 3.20
1951 Saul Rogovin 2.78
1952 Allie Reynolds 2.06
1954 Mike Garcia 2.64
1955 Billy Pierce 1.97
1956 Whitey Ford 2.47
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1957 Bobby Shantz 2.45
1958 Whitey Ford 2.01
1959 Hoyt Wilhelm 2.19
1960 Frank Baumann 2.67
1961 Dick Donovan 2.40
1962 Hank Aguirre 2.21
1963 Gary Peters 2.33
1964 Dean Chance 1.65
1965 Sam McDowell 2.18
1966 Gary Peters 1.98
1967 Joe Horlen 2.06
1968 Luis Tiant 1.60
1969 Dick Bosman 2.19
1970 Diego Seguí 2.56
1972 Luis Tiant 1.91
1973 Jim Palmer 2.40
1974 Catfish Hunter 2.49
1975 Jim Palmer 2.09
1976 Mark Fidrych 2.34
1977 Frank Tanana 2.54
1978 Ron Guidry 1.74
1979 Ron Guidry 2.78
1981 Sammy Stewart 2.32
1982 Rick Sutcliffe 2.96
1983 Rick Honeycutt 2.42
1984 Mike Boddicker 2.79
1985 Dave Stieb 2.48
1986 Roger Clemens 2.48
1988 Allan Anderson 2.45
1989 Bret Saberhagen 2.16
1990 Roger Clemens 1.93
1991 Roger Clemens 2.62
1992 Roger Clemens 2.41
1993 Kevin Appier 2.56
1994 Steve Ontiveros 2.65
1995 Randy Johnson 2.48
1996 Juan Guzmán 2.93
1997 Roger Clemens 2.05
1998 Roger Clemens 2.65
1999 Pedro Martínez 2.07
2000 Pedro Martínez 1.74
2001 Freddy García 3.05
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2002 Pedro Martínez 2.26
2003 Pedro Martínez 2.22
2004 Johan Santana 2.61
2005 Kevin Millwood 2.86
2006 Johan Santana 2.77
2007 John Lackey 3.01
2009 Zack Greinke 2.16
2010 Félix Hernández 2.27
2011 Justin Verlander 2.40
2012 David Price 2.56
2013 Aníbal Sánchez 2.57
2014 Felix Hernandez 2.14
2015 David Price 2.45
The bolded ERA’s are the ten best after 1920; seven in the NL
and three in the AL.
Lifetime ERA Leaders Post 1920
Rank ERA Player Years
1 2.21 Mariano Rivera 1995–2013
2 2.40 Clayton Kershaw 2008–present
3 2.52 Hoyt Wilhelm 1952–72
4 2.75 Whitey Ford 1950–67
5 2.76 Dan Quisenberry 1979–90
6 2.76 Sandy Koufax 1955–66
Various Potpourri Regarding Single Season Achievements
Batting Records
Most Single Season Hits
Player Team Hits Season
Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners 262 2004
George Sisler St. Louis Browns 257 1920
Bill Terry New York Giants 254 1930
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Lefty O'Doul Philadelphia Phillies 254 1929
Highest Single Season Batting Average
Player Team Average Season
Hugh Duffy Boston Beaneaters .440 1894
Nap Lajoie Philadelphia Athletics .426 1901
Rogers Hornsby St. Louis Cardinals .424 1924
George Sisler St. Louis Browns .420 1922
Ty Cobb Detroit Tigers .420 1911
Highest Single Season Runs Batted In
Player Team RBIs Season
Hack Wilson Chicago Cubs 191 1930
Lou Gehrig New York Yankees 184 1931
Hank Greenberg Detroit Tigers 183 1937
Jimmie Foxx Boston Red Sox 175 1938
Lou Gehrig New York Yankees 175 1927
Longest Hitting Streak
Player Team Games Season
Joe DiMaggio New York Yankees 56 1941
Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds 44 1978
Bill Dahlen Chicago Colts 42 1894
George Sisler St. Louis Browns 41 1922
Ty Cobb Detroit Tigers 40 1911
Most Single Season Runs Scored
Player Team Runs Season
Babe Ruth New York Yankees 179 1921
Lou Gehrig New York Yankees 167 1936
Lou Gehrig New York Yankees 163 1931
Babe Ruth New York Yankees 163 1928
Chuck Klein Philadelphia Phillies 158 1930
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Most Doubles in a Season
Player Team Doubles Season
Earl Webb Boston Red Sox 67 1931
George Burns Cleveland Indians 64 1926
Joe Medwick St. Louis Cardinals 64 1936
Hank Greenberg Detroit Tigers 63 1934
Paul Waner Pittsburgh Pirates 62 1932
Most Triples in a Season
Player Team Triples Season
Chief Wilson Pittsburgh Pirates 36 1912
Sam Crawford Detroit Tigers 26 1914
Kiki Cuyler Pittsburgh Pirates 26 1925
Joe Jackson Cleveland Naps 26 1912
Most At Bats in a Season
Player Team At Bats Season
Jimmy Rollins Philadelphia Phillies 716 2007
Willie Wilson Kansas City Royals 705 1980
Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners 704 2004
Juan Samuel Philadelphia Phillies 701 1984
Dave Cash Philadelphia Phillies 699 1975
Juan Pierre Chicago Cubs 699 2006
Most Stolen Bases in a Season
Player Team Stol Bases Season
Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics 130 1982
Lou Brock St. Louis Cardinals 118 1974
Vince Coleman St. Louis Cardinals 110 1985
Vince Coleman St. Louis Cardinals 109 1987
Rickey Henderson Oakland Athletics 108 1983
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Pitching Records
Single Season Wins
Player Team Wins Season
Jack Chesbro New York Yankees 41 1904
Eddie Walsh Chicago White Sox 40 1908
Christy Mathewson New York Giants 37 1908
Walter Johnson Washington Senators 36 1913
Joe McGinnity New York Giants 35 1904
Most Single Season Wins- Live Ball Era- Post 1920
Player Team Wins Season
Lefty Grove Philadelphia Athletics 31 1931
Denny McLain Detroit Tigers 31 1968
Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals 30 1934
Hal Newhouser Detroit Tigers 29 1944
Dazzy Vance Brooklyn Dodgers 28 1924
Lefty Grove Philadelphia Athletics 28 1930
Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals 28 1935
Robin Roberts Philadelphia Phillies 28 1952
Lowest Single Season Earned Run Average
Player Team ERA Season
Dutch Leonard Boston Red Sox 0.96 1914
Mordecai Brown Chicago Cubs 1.04 1906
Bob Gibson St. Louis Cardinals 1.12 1968
Most Strikeouts in a Single Season
Player Team Strikeouts Season
Nolan Ryan California Angels 383 1973
Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers 382 1965
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Randy Johnson Arizona Diamondbacks 372 2001
Nolan Ryan California Angels 367 1974
Randy Johnson Arizona Diamondbacks 364 1999
Most Shutouts in a Single Season
Player Team Shutouts Season
Jack Coombs Philadelphia Athletics 13 1910
Bob Gibson St. Louis Cardinals 13 1968
Pete Alexander Philadelphia Phillies 12 1915
Team Statistics
Most saves in a Single Season
Team Saves Season
Los Angeles Angels 62 2008
Chicago White Sox 57 1990
Atlanta Braves 55 2002
Los Angeles Dodgers 55 2003
Most Hits in a Single Season
Team Hits Season
Philadelphia Phillies 1,783 1930
Most Home Runs in a Single Season
Team Home runs Season
Seattle Mariners 264 1997
Texas Rangers 260 2005
Toronto Blue Jays 257 2010
Baltimore Orioles 257 1996
Most Runs Batted In in a Season
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Team Runs Season
Batted In
New York Yankees 997 1936
Most Runs Scored in a Season
Team Runs Scored Season
New York Yankees 1,067 1931
As park attendance is a better gauge of the true baseball zealot, below is the yearly attendance Total major league baseball attendance follows.
Baseball Total Attendance
1890-99- 21,095,079
1900-09- 43,927,015
1910-19- 54,219,025
1920-29- 92,799,454
1930-39- 82,987,475- drop-off started in 1931
1940-49- 134,881,277- surge started in 1946
1950-59- 161,952,970
1960-69- 227,516,105
1970-79- 329,195,079
1980-89- 458,931,846
1990-99- 601,688,546
2000-09- 808,715,510
2010-14- 368,341,037
Major Sports Per Game Attendance
Following is the average attendance at professional
sporting events. I was personally surprised at two of them. I’m
ignoring TV viewing. It is not irrelevant to the financial
aspect of the games, but it is too easy to do. It is one thing
to watch a sporting event at home, not much different than
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watching “Empire.” It is another to get off your butt, travel to
the stadium and pay more than the monthly cable premium for the
privilege. I’m looking for the fanatics.
1) National Football League- 67,604- 16 game season.
2) Major League Baseball- 30,514- 162 game season.
3) Canadian Football League- 28,193- 18 game season. - This was
a surprise for a few reasons, one being I didn’t know it was a
professional sport.
4) Major League Soccer- 21,574- 34 game season.
5) National Hockey League- 17,455- 82 game season.
6) National Basketball Association- 17,407- 82 game season. - I
thought this would be higher on the list.
To put this in another perspective, while baseball
attendance averaged 30,514 in 2015, the attendance for the much
awaited 1903 first World Series ranged from a high of 18,801 in
game three to a low of 7,455 in the game eight finale.
For one more bit of context, the total baseball attendance
is five times that of US professional football; which is also
25% exceeded by both the NHL and NBA. In fact baseball
attendance is roughly equal to the total of the other top five.
This is not too shabby for a sport which has supposedly lost its
claim to being the national pastime.
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So, who is it who says that baseball is no longer the Great
American Pastime? Everybody who speaks. The silent majority just
enjoy.
Hmmnnn. Could this be a matter of semantics? Or is some
other non-sporting competitor quietly worming its way into the
foundation of American life?