Slight build, big power.Ernie Banks belts home run number 40 on the season.
Ernie Banks began his playing career with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1950, but he would become the Chicago Cubs first African-American player in 1953. As a 22-year old that season, he didn't play much. A season later, he played in 154 games while hitting .275/.326/.427 with 19 home runs and 79 RBI as he finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Wally Moon. Mr. Cub really introduced himself to the baseball world in 1955. Hitting .295/.345/.596 is impressive for anyone, let alone a shortstop, but he also broke records.
Vern Stephens set the home run mark for shortstops with 39 in 1948, and his following 1950 season of 30 home runs was second on the list. Actually, his 1948 season of 29 was also 3rd, and you know what, his 1945 season of 24 home runs was tied for fourth with Joe Cronin's 1940. But Ernie Banks was about to take the spot of premier power-hitting shortstop. Banks' 1955 season was the first for a shortstop to hit 40+ home runs (his 40th was hit on September 2nd -- oddly enough, it was against Moon's Cardinals) as he eventually hit 44. Of course, the modern record belongs to Alex Rodriguez with 57, but by the time Banks was done in 1971, he had the top 5 home run-hitting seasons by a shortstop with his highest being 47 in 1958. Banks would switch to first permanently in 1961 with his best power years behind him.
As I said, Alex Rodriguez now holds the record for most home runs by a shortstop, and he is still the only shortstop to eclipse the 50-homer mark (twice). He holds 6 of the top 10 spots, and Ernie Banks holds the other four and the 11th spot. Rich Aurilia pops in at 14 (Stephens is 13th), and then Miguel Tejada, Bill Hall, Nomar Garciaparra, Barry Larkin, and Cal Ripken fall in line. Hanley Ramirez is 21st with 33 last season but only has 19 this season, but he probably has the best shot among current shortstops to overtake A-Rod.
Trivia Time
I deliberately left out the guy who is 12th on the list. Who is he and how many did he hit?
Yesterday's Answer --> Griffey (56 HR), Buhner (40), Sorrento (31), Martinez (28), Rodriguez (23), Davis (20), Wilson (15), Cruz (12), Cora (11)
Posts
3 comments:
I was going to say Jay Bell, but then I realized he'd been moved to second base by the time he had that outlier season.
Was it Rico Petrocelli in 1969? I believe his total that year was 40.
Really, Ian? Holy crap. I need to learn more about baseball so I can pull random crap out of my butt, too. Impressive. Well done.
Ha ha. Thanks. I think part of the reason I figured it out was because Rico Petrocelli's 1969 season always looked funny to me when I'd see it in the Baseball Encyclopedia. 40 homers and he only managed 97 RBI. You'd think a guy who hit 40 could drive in at least 100. Barry Bonds' 2003 season may be the most asymmetrical of them all.
Post a Comment