Two-way baseball player Shohei Ohtani has shown that he maintains power in the bat while recovering his best version on the mound. During his stints in the batter’s box, he leads the home run department with a total of 45, thanks to his solo shot Sunday against the San Diego Padres. However, he shares the top of the National League with Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies. Although it should be noted that both players are in the hunt for the MLB leader.
Who holds the best home run record in Major League Baseball this year is Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners, who went over the fence twice on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics to reach the figure of 49, that is, four home runs ahead with five weeks to go in the season, which is equivalent to 30 games for each. However, the mark of these three extraordinary players have allowed them to equal a mark not seen since 2001.
The MLB home run feat that has been missing for 24 years
With Shohei Ohtani’s home run, it is the first time that three players have reached or exceeded the figure of 45 home runs before September. In 2001, those who showed power at bat were Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Luis Gonzalez. It was the former who took the home run title in 2001 in a spectacular contest with the Chicago Cubs outfielder.
The first time that more than three players surpassed the 45 HR mark was in 1998 when Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr, Sammy Sosa and Mo Vaughn reached this figure. It is the only time that four players have reached September with this number of home runs. For this figure to be matched, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees needs to hit five home runs this week, which will have six games. If he achieves it before Sunday, MLB will have a new record.
The race for the 2025 MLB home run title
In the American League, Cal Raleigh has a clear path to be crowned champion of the Young Circuit. His 49 home runs give him a big advantage over Aaron Judge, who has a mark of 40 home runs. A distance of nine home runs is a big disadvantage against a player who is at the climax of the season and who is going for more.
Meanwhile, in the National League, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber are tied with 45 and far behind is Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona D-Backs with 36 so the race in the Old Circuit is in the hands of the Japanese and the Phillie. Both are also in the hunt for Cal Raleigh to become MLB’s 2025 Home Run King.
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