Introduction
Baseball has many records, but few create as much excitement as the race for the most home runs in a season. One swing can change a game, a week, or even an entire era of baseball history.
The record matters because home runs are simple to understand and thrilling to watch. You do not need to be a stats expert to feel the drama when a hitter launches the ball deep into the stands.
Today, Barry Bonds holds the official MLB single-season record with 73 home runs in 2001. Baseball-Reference and MLB both list Bonds at the top of the single-season leaderboard.
What Does Most Home Runs in a Season Mean?
The phrase most home runs in a season means the highest number of home runs hit by one player during one regular MLB season.
It does not include playoff home runs. It also does not combine totals from different seasons. The record is based only on regular-season games.
In simple words, if a player hits 50 home runs from Opening Day to the final regular-season game, that is his single-season total.
The Official MLB Single-Season Home Run Record
The official MLB record belongs to Barry Bonds, who hit 73 home runs for the San Francisco Giants in 2001. Baseball-Reference lists Bonds first, followed by Mark McGwire with 70 in 1998 and Sammy Sosa with 66 in 1998.
| Rank | Player | Home Runs | Year | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry Bonds | 73 | 2001 | San Francisco Giants |
| 2 | Mark McGwire | 70 | 1998 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 3 | Sammy Sosa | 66 | 1998 | Chicago Cubs |
| 4 | Mark McGwire | 65 | 1999 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 5 | Sammy Sosa | 64 | 2001 | Chicago Cubs |
| 6 | Sammy Sosa | 63 | 1999 | Chicago Cubs |
| 7 | Aaron Judge | 62 | 2022 | New York Yankees |
| Barry Bonds’ 2001 season is still the highest total ever recorded in MLB history. MLB notes that Bonds also set several single-season marks that year, including 73 home runs, 177 walks, and an .863 slugging percentage. |
Top Players With the Most Home Runs in a Season
Only a small group of players have reached the 60-home-run level. That is why the record feels almost mythical.
The 60-Home-Run Club
The 60-home-run club includes Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Aaron Judge, and Cal Raleigh. AP reported that Raleigh became the seventh player in MLB history to reach 60 home runs in 2025.
| Player | Best Season Total | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Bonds | 73 | 2001 |
| Mark McGwire | 70 | 1998 |
| Sammy Sosa | 66 | 1998 |
| Aaron Judge | 62 | 2022 |
| Roger Maris | 61 | 1961 |
| Cal Raleigh | 60 | 2025 |
| Babe Ruth | 60 | 1927 |
| This list shows why the chase for the most home runs in a season is so rare. Many great hitters never reach 50. Even fewer touch 60. |
How Barry Bonds Reached 73 Home Runs
Barry Bonds was already one of baseball’s most complete players before 2001. He had power, speed, patience, and elite strike-zone control.
In 2001, everything came together. Bonds hit 73 home runs, batted .328, and posted one of the most powerful offensive seasons ever. Baseball Almanac notes that he also set records for slugging percentage, walks, and home run rate that season.
Why Bonds’ Season Was Different
Bonds did not just hit many home runs. He forced pitchers to change the way they worked.
Pitchers avoided him often. He walked 177 times in 2001, according to MLB’s player record page. That makes the 73-homer total even more shocking because he had fewer chances to swing than many other sluggers.
The Debate Around Bonds
Bonds’ record is official, but it is also debated by many fans because of the steroid-era controversy. Some fans accept the number as the MLB record. Others prefer Aaron Judge’s 62 as the cleanest modern benchmark.
That debate is part of why this topic still gets attention. The record is not only about numbers. It is also about trust, era, fairness, and how baseball remembers greatness.
Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and the Earlier Record Chase
Before Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa, the single-season home run story belonged to Babe Ruth and Roger Maris.
Babe Ruth’s 60 in 1927
Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927. At that time, the number felt almost impossible. Ruth was not just breaking records; he was changing how baseball was played.
Before Ruth, baseball was more focused on contact, bunting, speed, and small-ball tactics. Ruth made power hitting the main attraction.
Roger Maris’ 61 in 1961
Roger Maris passed Ruth by hitting 61 home runs in 1961. His chase was stressful, emotional, and heavily watched.
Maris did not always receive the love that modern fans might expect. Many people wanted Ruth’s record to survive. Still, Maris finished the job and became one of the most important names in home run history.
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa’s 1998 Home Run Race
The 1998 race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa brought huge attention back to baseball.
McGwire hit 70 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals. Sosa hit 66 for the Chicago Cubs. Baseball-Reference lists them second and third all time for single-season home runs.
Why 1998 Felt So Big
Fans followed the chase almost every day. Every at-bat felt like an event. Stadiums were packed, cameras were ready, and the country watched two sluggers try to rewrite history.
That season helped baseball recover public excitement after the 1994 strike. At the time, it felt joyful and unforgettable.
The Complicated Legacy
Years later, the steroid-era discussion changed how many fans remembered the 1998 chase.
Still, the numbers remain part of official MLB history. The emotion of that summer also remains part of baseball culture.
Aaron Judge and the American League Record
Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs in 2022 for the New York Yankees. That gave him the American League single-season record.
Many fans see Judge’s season as one of the most meaningful modern power seasons. It came in a different testing era and under intense pressure in New York.
Why Judge’s 62 Matters
Judge passed Roger Maris’ American League mark of 61. That created a powerful Yankees connection: Ruth, Maris, and Judge all wore pinstripes.
Judge’s 2022 season also reminded fans that huge home run totals are still possible, even in today’s game.
Cal Raleigh and the Modern 60-Home-Run Club
Cal Raleigh added a fresh chapter in 2025 by reaching 60 home runs with the Seattle Mariners. AP reported that he became only the seventh MLB player to reach 60 in a season.
Raleigh’s season was special because he did it as a catcher and switch-hitter. Reuters reported that he passed Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners single-season record and broke major marks for a catcher and switch-hitter.
Why Raleigh’s Season Surprised Fans
Catching is physically demanding. Catchers spend games squatting, calling pitches, blocking balls, and managing pitchers. That makes Raleigh’s power total even more impressive.
His season proved that the chase for the most home runs in a season is not just an old story. It can still happen in modern baseball.
Why Single-Season Home Run Records Are So Hard to Break
Hitting 50 home runs is already rare. Hitting 60 is historic. Reaching 70 is almost unreal.
Pitchers Are Better Than Ever
Modern pitchers throw harder. Bullpens are deeper. Hitters often face multiple high-velocity arms in one game.
A player may see a starter throwing 97 mph, then a reliever throwing 100 mph, then a closer with a sharp slider. That makes consistent power much harder.
Teams Use Data Against Hitters
Today’s teams study every swing. They know where hitters chase, what pitches they struggle with, and how to defend them.
That means a power hitter rarely gets easy mistakes for six straight months.
Health and Fatigue Matter
A home run race requires talent and durability. One minor injury can slow a player down for weeks.
The mental side matters too. When a player reaches 50 or 55 home runs, every swing gets attention. That pressure can feel heavy.
Personal Background, Career Journey, and Financial Insight
Because the main record belongs to Barry Bonds, it makes sense to look at his background and career.
Barry Bonds’ Personal Background
Barry Bonds was born on July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California, according to Baseball-Reference. He is the son of former MLB player Bobby Bonds and the godson of Willie Mays.
That baseball background shaped him early. Bonds grew up close to the game, but his career was not built only on family name. His talent was obvious.
Career Journey
Bonds began his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the San Francisco Giants. Over his career, he became one of the most decorated players in baseball history.
He finished with 762 career home runs, the most in MLB history. His 73-homer season remains the official answer to who hit the most home runs in a season.
Achievements
Bonds won seven MVP awards and became known for his rare mix of power, patience, and speed. He was not only a slugger. Earlier in his career, he was also a strong defender and baserunner.
That complete skill set is one reason his career remains heavily discussed, even with controversy attached.
Estimated Net Worth and Financial Insight
Public net-worth estimates for retired athletes vary, so they should not be treated as exact. Bonds earned major salaries during his playing career and later remained connected to baseball through coaching, appearances, and Giants-related events.
The safest financial insight is this: Bonds’ record-breaking career made him one of the most commercially recognizable baseball players of his generation.
FAQs
Who has the most home runs in a season?
Barry Bonds has the official MLB record with 73 home runs in 2001 for the San Francisco Giants.
What is the American League record for home runs in one season?
Aaron Judge holds the American League record with 62 home runs in 2022.
Did Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in a season?
Yes. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927, one of the most famous records in baseball history.
Did Roger Maris break Babe Ruth’s record?
Yes. Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, passing Ruth’s 60.
Who hit 70 home runs in a season?
Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs in 1998 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
How many players have hit 60 home runs in a season?
Seven players have reached 60 home runs in an MLB season: Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Aaron Judge, and Cal Raleigh.
Why is Barry Bonds’ record controversial?
The record is controversial because Bonds played during the steroid era. MLB still recognizes his 73 home runs as the official single-season record.
Is Aaron Judge’s 62 considered the real record by some fans?
Yes. Some fans view Judge’s 62 as the cleanest modern benchmark, especially because it is the American League record.
Can anyone break 73 home runs?
It is possible, but very difficult. A player would need elite power, health, plate discipline, favorable conditions, and a full season of steady production.
Conclusion
The story of the most home runs in a season is more than a leaderboard. It is a timeline of baseball’s biggest power moments.
Barry Bonds owns the official record with 73. Babe Ruth changed the game. Roger Maris carried history on his shoulders. McGwire and Sosa made 1998 unforgettable. Aaron Judge gave modern fans a clean and dramatic chase. Cal Raleigh proved the 60-home-run dream is still alive.
That is why this record still matters. It mixes numbers, pressure, controversy, nostalgia, and pure excitement in a way few sports records can match.
