Ruth, Maris, Howard?
Much of the talk around the internet lately is whether Ryan Howard is in pursuit of the single season home run record, having hit 53 in 138 games. Because of allegations and suspicions surrounding Mark McGwire's 70 in 1998 (and 65 in 1999), Barry Bonds' 73 in 2001, and Sammy Sosa's three 60 home run seasons, many will consider Howard the record holder if he hits more than Roger Maris' 61. What do I think?
1. Home runs just do not disappear
We do not know the extent of Bonds', or anyone else's, use of performance enhancers. We do not know exactly what effect performance enhancers have, how many home runs would have been merely fly balls to the warning track without chemical assistance. We do not know how many pitchers Bonds (or McGwire or Sosa or anyone) faced were using performance enhancers. That is a lot of information to be missing when passing judgment. Every era is viewed in its own context. The "Steroid Era" will be judged accordingly, but we cannot pretend it never happened. The record books should not be adjusted for the "Steroid Era."
2. Bigger numbers does not mean better numbers
Beginning on April 8, 1974, Babe Ruth no longer held the records for home runs in a single season or a career. However, most people still consider him the greatest home run hitter of all-time. Why? When Ruth hit 60 home runs, he out-homered every team in the American League except for his own. He hit nearly 14% of the home runs by American League batters. Ruth was a statistical anomaly, he hit home runs when not many others did. Being passed on all-time home run lists has not changed this. Along the same lines, just because Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire have higher single season home run totals does not mean they are in Ruth's class (or Maris' class for that one season). Baseball fans have been judging its records for years. That will not change.
3. Dominance is relative
Again, viewing baseball records in the context of their era is the key. Ruth hit 60 home runs when only one other person in the AL, Lou Gehrig, hit more than 18. Maris broke a record that had stood for 37 years, one that even the best of home run hitters after Ruth could not reach. McGwire and Bonds hit 70 and 73 home runs when hitting 60 was nearly commonplace, when who knows how many other hitters were aided by performance enhancers. In short, these totals are still accomplishments when viewed against their peers. Against similar accomplishments of other time periods, some of these high totals lose their luster.
Ryan Howard may hit 60, 61, 62, or more home runs. If he reaches 62, will he hold the single season home run record? No. Will he have one of the most impressive home run seasons in history, more impressive than the seasons of the "Steroid Era?" Yes. In my opinion, the magic number is 60. Any time a player tops that, it is impressive, performance enhancers or not. How impressive is in the eye of the beholder.
On a side note, when Howard hit three home runs in the first game of a double header on Sunday, I became curious to see if he was a product of the bandbox known as Citizens Bank Park. I was pleased to see that his home run totals at home and on the road are very similar, and there is no indication that he benefits significantly from his home ballpark. That is one thing his detractors, if there are any, will not be able to use to diminish his incredible performance.
1. Home runs just do not disappear
We do not know the extent of Bonds', or anyone else's, use of performance enhancers. We do not know exactly what effect performance enhancers have, how many home runs would have been merely fly balls to the warning track without chemical assistance. We do not know how many pitchers Bonds (or McGwire or Sosa or anyone) faced were using performance enhancers. That is a lot of information to be missing when passing judgment. Every era is viewed in its own context. The "Steroid Era" will be judged accordingly, but we cannot pretend it never happened. The record books should not be adjusted for the "Steroid Era."
2. Bigger numbers does not mean better numbers
Beginning on April 8, 1974, Babe Ruth no longer held the records for home runs in a single season or a career. However, most people still consider him the greatest home run hitter of all-time. Why? When Ruth hit 60 home runs, he out-homered every team in the American League except for his own. He hit nearly 14% of the home runs by American League batters. Ruth was a statistical anomaly, he hit home runs when not many others did. Being passed on all-time home run lists has not changed this. Along the same lines, just because Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire have higher single season home run totals does not mean they are in Ruth's class (or Maris' class for that one season). Baseball fans have been judging its records for years. That will not change.
3. Dominance is relative
Again, viewing baseball records in the context of their era is the key. Ruth hit 60 home runs when only one other person in the AL, Lou Gehrig, hit more than 18. Maris broke a record that had stood for 37 years, one that even the best of home run hitters after Ruth could not reach. McGwire and Bonds hit 70 and 73 home runs when hitting 60 was nearly commonplace, when who knows how many other hitters were aided by performance enhancers. In short, these totals are still accomplishments when viewed against their peers. Against similar accomplishments of other time periods, some of these high totals lose their luster.
Ryan Howard may hit 60, 61, 62, or more home runs. If he reaches 62, will he hold the single season home run record? No. Will he have one of the most impressive home run seasons in history, more impressive than the seasons of the "Steroid Era?" Yes. In my opinion, the magic number is 60. Any time a player tops that, it is impressive, performance enhancers or not. How impressive is in the eye of the beholder.
On a side note, when Howard hit three home runs in the first game of a double header on Sunday, I became curious to see if he was a product of the bandbox known as Citizens Bank Park. I was pleased to see that his home run totals at home and on the road are very similar, and there is no indication that he benefits significantly from his home ballpark. That is one thing his detractors, if there are any, will not be able to use to diminish his incredible performance.
posted by Josh at 9:48 AM
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