Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been a groundbreaking achievement in Major League Baseball, as he became the first player to record both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His performance, encapsulated by a staggering Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 7.8, solidifies his status as one of the most exceptional talents the sport has ever seen.
Here’s a revised and more detailed overview of the most impressive baseball seasons by hitters, incorporating the statistic Wins Above Replacement (WAR) where notable:
Babe Ruth, 1921, New York Yankees
Stats: .378 BA, 59 HR, 171 RBI, 12.6 WAR
Ruth’s staggering 1921 season set records in slugging and created a new benchmark for offensive production in baseball, marking it as one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the sport.
Barry Bonds, 2001, San Francisco Giants
Stats: .328 BA, 73 HR, 137 RBI, 11.9 WAR
Bonds’ record-breaking home run total this year is the highest ever recorded, solidifying his 2001 season as one of the greatest single-season performances in Major League Baseball.
Ted Williams, 1941, Boston Red Sox
Stats: .406 BA, 37 HR, 120 RBI, 10.6 WAR
Williams not only managed to hit over .400, the last player to do so, but he also combined it with significant power, making this season legendary.
Willie Mays, 1955, New York Giants
Stats: .319 BA, 51 HR, 127 RBI, 9.6 WAR
Mays’ remarkable combination of power and defensive prowess in 1955 demonstrated why he is considered one of the most complete players in baseball history.
Lou Gehrig, 1927, New York Yankees
Stats: .373 BA, 47 HR, 175 RBI, 11.8 WAR
Gehrig was an integral part of the ‘Murderers’ Row’ and his incredible RBI total helped define the Yankees’ dominant 1927 lineup.
Mickey Mantle, 1956, New York Yankees
Stats: .353 BA, 52 HR, 130 RBI, 11.3 WAR
Winning the Triple Crown, Mantle’s 1956 season stands out as a high-water mark for power hitters, showcasing his ability to dominate the league in multiple categories.
Rogers Hornsby, 1922, St. Louis Cardinals
Stats: .401 BA, 42 HR, 152 RBI, 10.0 WAR
Hornsby’s over .400 batting average and significant power output in 1922 illustrate why he is often listed among the greatest hitters ever.
Sammy Sosa, 1998, Chicago Cubs
Stats: .308 BA, 66 HR, 158 RBI, 6.5 WAR
Sosa’s exhilarating home run race against Mark McGwire captivated fans worldwide, making the 1998 season one of the most watched in MLB history.
Jimmie Foxx, 1932, Philadelphia Athletics
Stats: .364 BA, 58 HR, 169 RBI, 10.2 WAR
Foxx’s powerful hitting in 1932 led the league and placed him among the all-time greats for single-season performances.
Hank Aaron, 1957, Milwaukee Braves
Stats: .322 BA, 44 HR, 132 RBI, 7.8 WAR
Aaron’s MVP season was not only impressive due to his statistical output but also his ability to lead the Braves to a World Series title.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 season, while transformative, might not outrank the sheer offensive output of some of the highest WAR seasons like those of Babe Ruth in 1921 or Barry Bonds in 2001. However, Ohtani’s 20024 season would likely be ranked among the top ten, perhaps nudging towards the higher end due to the historical significance and uniqueness of his 50/50 achievement. It stands out not just for the numbers, but for how it redefines possibilities within the game, making it one of the most unique and influential seasons ever played. If he pitches at all in the post-season this could redefine his ranking.
