History of 50 Home Runs

Now that Pete Alonso has joined what used to be the very exclusive 50 home run club, let’s take a look at the history of that club, and how the steroid era ruined it.

Here is the chronological list of the 46 50 or more home run seasons (achieved by 30 players):

POST-DEAD BALL ERA (1919-1989)

1920 Babe Ruth 54

1921 Babe Ruth 59

1927 Babe Ruth 60

1928 Babe Ruth 54

1930 Hack Wilson 56

1932 Jimmie Foxx 58

1938 Jimmie Foxx 50

1938 Hank Greenberg 58

1947 Johnny Mize 51

1947 Ralph Kiner 51

1949 Ralph Kiner 54

1955 Willie Mays 51

1956 Mickey Mantle 52

1961 Mickey Mantle 54

1961 Roger Maris 61

1965 Willie Mays 52

1977 George Foster 52

STEROID ERA (1990-2003)

1990 Cecil Fielder 51

1995 Albert Belle 50

1996 Brady Anderson 50

…