Baseball is among the most popular team sports played in many countries. This game is one of the Big Four sports in America, along with basketball, football, and hockey. The Major League Baseball (MLB) is arguably the most followed baseball competition. The league comprises 30 professional teams from the Americal League (AL) and the National League (NL).
AL and NL were merged into one organization in 2000. With over two decades of operation, the MBL has featured legendary players who made the sport even more popular. Let’s discover what players are MLB’s all-time home run leaders and their legacy in the league.
Albert Pujols
Designated hitter and first baseman Albert Pujols, also known as “The Machine,” was a Dominican-American baseball player who played in 22 seasons of the MLB. Pujols has played for St. Louis Cardinals from 2001 to 2011, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2012 to 2021, Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, and Saint Louis Cardinals in 2022. His first game in the MLB was with St. Louis Cardinals on April 2, 2001.
Pujols made 703 home runs, 3,384 hits, and 2,218 runs batted in in his career. His long history of iconic play provided spectators insight into recent MLB Playoffs betting. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the NL in 2005, 2008, and 2009. In addition, Pujols was also an 11-time All-Star in 2001, 2003-2010, 2015, and 2022.
Willie Mays
Also known as “Buck” and “the Say Hey Kid,” Willie Mays was one of the most iconic center fielder in the history of MLB. He made his MLB debut with New York Giants on May 25, 1951. He also played for Birmingham Black Barons in 1948, New York/San Francisco Giants in 1951 to 1952 and 1954 to 1972, and New York Mets in 1972 to 1973.
His outstanding records in the league include 660 home runs, 3,283 home hits, and 1,903 runs batted in. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Besides this honor, the MLB also changed the World Series MVP Award to Willie Mays World Series MVP Award to celebrate his significant contribution to the blossoming of American professional baseball.
Alex Rodriguez
Third baseman and shortstop Alex Rodrigues was an American baseball player Born in Manhattan, New York City. With Seattle Mariners, he made his MLB debut on July 8, 1994. He played for the team until 2000 and went on to play for Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003. He also played for New York Yankees from 2004 to 2013 and 2015 to 2016.
His impressive MLB statistics include 3,115 home hits, 696 career home runs, and 2,086 runs batted in. He earned the American League batting champion title in 1996, the American League champion title, and the World Series champion title in 2009. His last MLB appearance was on August 12, 2016, when he played for New York Yankees.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth was one of the trailblazers in professional American Football. He debuted in MLB on July 11, 1914, with the Boston Red Sox. The pitcher from Baltimore played for his first team until 1919. He later transferred to Ne York Yankees and played for the team for 14 years (1920-1934). Ruth also played for Boston Braves in 1935.
In his career, Ruth made 714 home runs, 2,873 hits, and 2,214 runs battled in. In honor of his legacy in American baseball, former President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018. His fellow recipients were Elvis Presley and Antonin Scalia. Moreover, Ruth was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1836.
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron was a right-fielder from Mobile, Alabama, United States. He made his MLB debut on April 14, 1954, when he played for Milwaukee Braves. He played for the team from 1954 to 1974. For two years (1975-1976), Aaron also played for Milwaukee Brewers. The former righ-fielder was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Aaron’s remarkable MLB record includes 2,297 career runs, 6,856 career total bases, and 1,477 extra-base hits. Another notable accolade he has received for his undisputed records was the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award in 1977. Moreover, Aaron was also inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds debuted in the MLB on May 30, 1986, where he played for Pittsburgh Pirates. He played for the team until 1992 and transferred to San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2007. Bonds attended Arizona University and where he was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player. His most notable achievements include 762 career home runs, 73 home runs in a single season, 2,558 career bases on balls, and 232 bases on balls in a single season
The left-fielder has exceeded 500 home runs and bases, making him the only member of the 500-500 club. In addition, Bonds was also one of the four members of the 40-40 club, which means he hit at least 40 home runs and 40 bases in one season (1996). He shares the same title with other legendary professional baseball players like Alex Rodriguez, José Canseco, and Alfonso Soriano.
Conclusion
The MBL has showcased memorable plays throughout its long history. The players we have mentioned here are just a tiny fraction of the MLB’s list of most outstanding home run leaders. It’s impossible to name them all, so we have only included names that could come to our minds when we talk about MLB’s greatest players. Inspired by former MLB heroes, many promising baseballers playing for the current and upcoming seasons are poised to become baseball legends.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
