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Most Home Runs: See the Top 10 Single-Season Records

There’s no moment in baseball more electrifying than a home run. The crack of the bat, the soaring ball, the roar of the crowd—it’s the sport’s ultimate display of power. The chase for the title of most home runs in a single season has created some of the most memorable chapters in MLB history. From legends of the golden era to the titans of the modern game, the single-season home run list is a who’s who of baseball’s greatest sluggers.

This article dives deep into the official record books. We’ll count down the top 10 single-season performances, explore the controversy surrounding some of them, and look at the players who etched their names into history. Get ready to witness power, drama, and some staggering statistics.

The Official Top 10 List for Most Home Runs

When you look at the official MLB leaderboard for the most home runs in one season, the list is dominated by just a few names from a very specific period in baseball history. Here is the definitive countdown of the top 10 greatest home run-hitting seasons of all time.

1. Barry Bonds – 73 Home Runs (2001)

At the absolute pinnacle sits Barry Bonds. His 2001 season with the San Francisco Giants is, by the numbers, the greatest power-hitting display ever. Bonds didn’t just hit 73 home runs; he did so while also drawing a staggering 177 walks, demonstrating how feared he was by opposing pitchers. This record remains the official benchmark in MLB.

2. Mark McGwire – 70 Home Runs (1998)

The “Great Home Run Race of ’98” was a cultural phenomenon that revitalized baseball. At its center was Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the first to break Roger Maris’s long-standing record, finishing the magical season with an even 70 homers. His battle with Sammy Sosa captivated the nation.

3. Sammy Sosa – 66 Home Runs (1998)

You can’t mention McGwire’s 1998 season without Sammy Sosa. The Chicago Cubs outfielder went toe-to-toe with Big Mac all summer long. Though he finished second in the race, Sosa’s 66 home runs and infectious enthusiasm won him the National League MVP award and the hearts of fans everywhere.

4. Mark McGwire – 65 Home Runs (1999)

As an encore to his record-shattering ’98 season, McGwire proved it was no fluke. He launched another 65 home runs the very next year, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant power hitters of the era. It’s one of three entries for him in the top 10.

5. Sammy Sosa – 64 Home Runs (2001)

While Barry Bonds was making headlines with his pursuit of the record, Sammy Sosa quietly put together another monumental season. His 64 homers in 2001 make him the only player in MLB history to hit 60 or more home runs in three different seasons.

6. Sammy Sosa – 63 Home Runs (1999)

Completing his trifecta of 60+ homer seasons, Sosa blasted 63 long balls in 1999. This consistent, elite-level power is a testament to his incredible talent and cemented this period as a high-water mark for slugging.

7. Roger Maris – 61 Home Runs (1961)

For 37 years, this was the number every baseball fan knew: 61. In a dramatic 1961 season, New York Yankee Roger Maris chased down the ghost of Babe Ruth, hitting his 61st home run on the final day of the season. For decades, this was considered the purest home run record. Learn more about baseball’s history on Baseball-Reference.com.

8. Babe Ruth – 60 Home Runs (1927)

The Sultan of Swat, the player who made the home run a centerpiece of baseball. Babe Ruth’s 1927 season with the “Murderers’ Row” Yankees was legendary. He hit 60 home runs, a number that seemed so unreachable it stood as the record for 34 years.

9. Babe Ruth – 59 Home Runs (1921)

Before his 60-homer campaign, Ruth had already redefined power. In 1921, he hit 59 homers, which was more than most entire teams hit during that era. It was the first sign of the dominance that was to come.

10. Giancarlo Stanton – 59 Home Runs (2017)

The most recent entry in the top 10, Giancarlo Stanton’s 2017 season with the Miami Marlins was a spectacle. In an era of advanced analytics and specialized pitching, Stanton’s raw power was on full display as he launched 59 moonshots, earning him the NL MVP award.

The Controversy and the Modern King: Aaron Judge

It’s impossible to discuss the list of most home runs without acknowledging the controversy. The careers of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa are linked to baseball’s “Steroid Era.” While their numbers are the official records, many fans hold an unofficial asterisk next to them due to allegations of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use.

Because of this, many in the baseball community view Roger Maris’s 61 as the “clean” record for decades. That all changed in 2022.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge embarked on a historic home run chase, captivating the sport just like the ’98 race did. He finished the season with 62 home runs, breaking Maris’s 61-year-old American League record. For a large portion of fans, Judge’s 62 is now considered the “true” single-season home run record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who holds the record for most home runs in a career?

Barry Bonds holds the career home run record with 762, followed by Hank Aaron with 755.

Before the “Steroid Era,” who had the most home runs in a season?

Roger Maris held the record with 61 home runs, which he hit in 1961. Before him, the record belonged to Babe Ruth, who hit 60 in 1927.

Will anyone ever break Barry Bonds’s record of 73?

While it’s not impossible, it’s highly unlikely in the modern game. With more advanced pitching, defensive shifts, and stringent PED testing, reaching 73 home runs is an incredibly difficult feat. Aaron Judge’s 62 is the closest anyone has come in two decades.

The debate over the single-season home run champion may never be truly settled. Whether you recognize the official numbers or champion the modern-day heroes, one thing is certain: the pursuit of power is what makes baseball truly unforgettable.

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