3rd Greatest Home Run Hitter

[AstrosFan]

Congratulations to Hammerin' Hank Aaron, who took 16 of 49 votes to capture the number two spot. Right now, our list looks like this:

1. Babe Ruth
2. Hank Aaron

I would provide charts for comparison, but frankly, I don't know where to begin. HR/AB is useless, because that is biased toward the modern player. And I can't adjust for era, because then players who first experimented with the home run swing in the 1920s will look better than they were. Finally, while I could get home/road splits from the SABR Home Run Encyclopedia, they have a policy about not reprinting their material. I don't know if an online forum counts, but I'd rather not upset SABR. So I really don't know what the best way to make comparisons would be. I'm sure everyone here doesn't need my help to make an informed choice.

[AstrosFan]

People having been wondering about the steroids issue. Basically, you should think about where that player's career trajectory was heading, how you perceived him as a home run hitter before the steroid use, and whether you believe he would have become a better home run hitter without the steroid use, or if steroids improved his power. That is, assuming you believe he used steroids.

[philkid3]

Did somebody say McDonalds?

[KCGHOST]

This is a brutal poll. Despite having a wealth of statistical data it is highly subjective. And with the PED's thing is is very emotional. For the purposes of this poll I have elected to ignore PED's (something I don't normally do).

I'll go with McGwire.

[PJ-34]

Ya!!! lets go Griffey.

[AstrosFan]

I voted Mantle just because of the way he hit home runs. I could see McGwire, but he wouldn't have been as great a HR hitter as he was without a little help, if you know what I mean.

[George H Ruth]

I voted for Gibson in the second round, and Aaron won, so I have to vote for Gibson once again. I know it's hard to determine how many home runs he hit in his professional career, but I believe the all the stories about Gibson.

[fenrir]

i went with mays. i dont see what makes aaron better then mays other then the fact that he benefited from the launching pad at the end of his career.

[sandy1]

I went with Mays as well. Aaron had the launching pad and a lower mound (post 1969). Mays was having some of his best home run years when there was higher mounds and the big strike zone(1963-1968)

[csh19792001]

I went with Mays as well. Aaron had the launching pad and a lower mound (post 1969). Mays was having some of his best home run years when there was higher mounds and the big strike zone(1963-1968)

Aaron was already elected.

They hit an almost identical number of home runs from 1963-68.

[sandy1]

Aaron was already elected.

They hit an almost identical number of home runs from 1963-68.

yes they did. And Aaron had the benefit of hitting in Atlanta for three of those expanded strike zone years. Plus he was three or four years younger than Mays.

[csh19792001]

yes they did. And Aaron had the benefit of hitting in Atlanta for three of those expanded strike zone years. Plus he was three or four years younger than Mays.

So? Mays also played 7 years in a park with a 279 ft. right field line and a 258 ft. right field line. In 1962 Maury Wills- 160lbs and all- hit 6 home runs. Four of those were at The Polo Grounds- all 4 barely cleared the fence.

Aaron spent the first 12 years of his career- the majority of his career- in the second worst HR park in the National League. Only Forbes Field was more punitive on HR hitters.

[sandy1]

So? Mays also played 7 years in a park with a 279 ft. right field line and a 258 ft. right field line. In 1962 Maury Wills- 160lbs and all- hit 6 home runs. Four of those were at The Polo Grounds- all 4 barely cleared the fence.

Aaron spent the first 12 years of his career- the majority of his career- in the second worst HR park in the National League. Only Forbes Field was more punitive on HR hitters.

I'm aware of the short lines at the Polo Grounds and the overhang in left field which made it even shorter. ....didn't know about the Maury shots though. I think that Mays hitting as many homers as Aaron 63-68 while older and not having the benefit of Atlanta as a home park is impressive.

[csh19792001]

I think that Mays hitting as many homers as Aaron 63-68 while older and not having the benefit of Atlanta as a home park is impressive.

It is very impressive. Willie in 65' was about as good as Willie ever was.

Mays was a clearly a greater player than Aaron, though probably not quite as good as a hitter, all things considered...

[sandy1]

It is very impressive. Willie in 65' was about as good as Willie ever was.

Mays was a clearly a greater player than Aaron, though probably not quite as good as a hitter, all things considered...

all things considered you are probably right. I've been trying to research how big an effect the expanded strike zone had on hitters 1963-1968. Steve Treder @ THT has written some articles on the subject I found very informative.