Home Run Leader's Strikeouts and Walks
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
I've long been curious about home run hitters. It's often said that home run hitters also tend to strike out and walk a lot, but to what extent is this true? Certainly, home run hitters likely focus on powerful swings, which could lead to more strikeouts. However, there are players like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams who hit many home runs but strike out infrequently. And while pitchers are likely to be more wary of home run hitters, leading to more walks, the degree of this likely varies from hitter to hitter.
To investigate these issues, I decided to independently examine how many players who led the league in home runs also led the league in strikeouts, walks, and both.
I researched all players who have led the league in home runs at least once between 1901, when modern Major League Baseball began, and last year (2025).
Among players who have led the league in home runs at least once, 43 players (including three active players: Aaron Judge, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber) have also led the league in strikeouts at least once, regardless of whether it was in the same year or different year that they led the league in home runs.
Of these 43 players, the following 14 players led the league in strikeouts three or more times.
Jimmie Foxx (7 times)
Babe Ruth (5 times)
Hack Wilson (5 times)
Mickey Mantle (5 times)
Reggie Jackson (5 times)
Mike Schmidt (4 times)
Dolph Camilli (4 times)
Andres Galarraga (4 times)
Jake Stahl (3 times)
Duke Snider (3 times)
Dave Kingman (3 times)
Dale Murphy (3 times)
Sammy Sosa (3 times)
Jim Thome (3 times)
I am deeply moved that these 14 players include some of the most famous home run hitters in history. And I am a little surprised that Jimmie Foxx has more times than Babe Ruth.
This ranking changes dramatically if we limit it to the number of times a player led the league in both home runs and strikeouts in the same year.
Of the 43 players listed above, 26 have led the league in both home runs and strikeouts in the same year (among active players, Aaron Judge, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber each achieved this once). Of these 26, 19 achieved this only once, and 7 achieved it multiple times. Arranging these 7 in descending order of frequency, we get the following:
Babe Ruth (5 times)
Mike Schmidt (4 times)
Hack Wilson (3 times)
Jimmie Foxx (2 times)
Mickey Mantle (2 times)
Tony Armas (2 times)
Dave Kingman (2 times)
I find it quite moving that these 7 players include some who have left their mark on history as home run hitters.
If we consider the number of times a player led the league in both home runs and strikeouts in the same year, Babe Ruth, not Jimmie Foxx, comes out on top.
I conducted a similar investigation for walks.
Among players who have led the league in home runs at least once, 40 players (including four active players: Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber) have also led the league in walks at least once, regardless of whether it was in the same year or a different year that they led the league in home runs.
Of these 40 players, the following 13 players have led the league in walks three or more times.
Barry Bonds (12 times)
Babe Ruth (11 times)
Ted Williams (8 times)
Mel Ott (6 times)
Mickey Mantle (5 times)
Harmon Killebrew (4 times)
Mike Schmidt (4 times)
Eddie Mathews (4 times)
Aaron Judge (4 times)
Lou Gehrig (3 times)
Rogers Hornsby (3 times)
Ralph Kiner (3 times)
Dwight Evans (3 times)
Jim Thome (3 times)
What stands out most is undoubtedly the number of times Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth led the league in walks. As for the other hitters, it's noteworthy that Aaron Judge, who is still active, is included among the 13.
Of these 13, six have never led the league in strikeouts (Barry Bonds, Ted Williams, Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Dwight Evans).
This ranking changes dramatically when considering the number of times they led the league in home runs and walks in the same year.
Of the 40 players listed above, 21 have led the league in both home runs and walks in the same year (only Aaron Judge among active players). Of these 21, 12 achieved this once, and 9 achieved it multiple times. Arranging these 9 players in descending order of frequency, we get the following:
Babe Ruth (9 times)
Ted Williams (4 times)
Mel Ott (3 times)
Ralph Kiner (3 times)
Aaron Judge (3 times)
Hack Wilson (2 times)
Mickey Mantle (2 times)
Mike Schmidt (2 times)
Harmon Killebrew (2 times)
Babe Ruth’s 9 times is far ahead of the others. Incidentally, Barry Bonds only did it once.
It's also noteworthy that Aaron Judge is on this list.
Finally, there are only six batters who have led the league in home runs, strikeouts, and walks in the same year.
Babe Ruth (4 times)
Hack Wilson (1 time)
Mickey Mantle (1 time)
Mike Schmidt (1 time)
Dale Murphy (1 time)
Aaron Judge (1 time)
Only Babe Ruth had multiple times; the other five had only one.
There are home run hitters who weren't included in the analyses conducted this time— home run hitters who don't strike out or walk particularly often. No one can say what kind of home run hitter is good or bad. However, to me, home run hitters with many strikeouts and walks have a certain dramatic quality, a mysterious charm. I am sure there are people who have completely different opinions than mine. I wonder what those people think?
The analyses conducted this time has made me realize once again how outstanding Babe Ruth's appeal is. Babe Ruth is truly in a class of his own. And I've also realized that Aaron Judge possesses a charm that rivals that of the most famous home run hitters in history.
(If I've made a mistake or left out something important, please let me know. I'll try to make corrections or additions.)