Only four players—Roger Connor, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds (left to right)—have held the career home run record since 1895, 129 years ago.

The following is a chronology of the top ten leaders in lifetime home runs in Major League Baseball. This includes any home runs hit by a player during official regular season games (i.e., excluding playoffs or exhibition games) in the National Association (1871–1875), National League (since 1876), the American Association (1882–1891), the Union Association (1884), the Players' League (1890), the American League (since 1901), and the Federal League (1914–1915).

The list helps contextualize the evolution of one of the most prized achievements in United States sports. In the early 1930s, Babe Ruth had almost 400 more home runs than the next player, his longtime teammate Lou Gehrig; when Joe DiMaggio retired in 1951, he was fifth on the all-time list.

Career home run leaders by year

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Key to symbols in player table
†
 Player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
‡
 Player is still active
Year 1st[1] 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th (tied)
1871[1] Meyerle
4 		Pike
4 		Treacey
4 		Bass
3 		Cuthbert
3 		Sutton
3
1872 Pike
10 		Treacey
6 		Meyerle
5 		Cuthbert
4 		Bass
3 		Gedney
3 		Hall
3 		Sutton
3 		Wood
3 		T York
3
1873 Pike
14 		Meyerle
8 		Treacey
7 		Cuthbert
6 		T York
5 		Wright†
5 		Gedney
4
1874 Pike
15 		Meyerle
9 		Cuthbert
8 		Treacey
7 		Wright†
7 		O'Rourke†
6 		Clapp
5 		Gedney
5 		McVey
5 		T York
5
1875 Pike
15 		O'Rourke†
12 		Meyerle
10 		Wright†
9 		Cuthbert
8 		Hall
8 		McVey
8 		Start
8 		Treacey
7 		White†
5 		Gedney,
T York,
Clapp 5
1876 Pike
16 		O'Rourke†
14 		Hall
13 		Meyerle
10 		Wright†
10 		McVey
9 		Cuthbert
8 		Start
8 		Treacey
7 		T York
6 		White†
6
1877 Pike
20 		O'Rourke†
14 		Hall
13 		Meyerle
10 		Wright†
10 		McVey
9 		Start
9 		Cuthbert
8 		White†
8 		Treacey
7 		T York
7
1878 Pike
20 		O'Rourke†
15 		Hall
13 		McVey
11 		Meyerle
10 		Start
10 		Wright†
10 		Jones
9 		Cuthbert
8 		White†
8 		T York
8
1879 Pike
20 		Jones
18 		O'Rourke†
16 		Hall
13 		Start
12 		McVey
11 		Wright†
11 		Meyerle
10 		Hines
9 		White†
9 		T York
9
1880 Jones
23 		O'Rourke†
22 		Pike
20 		Hall
13 		Hines
12 		Start
12 		McVey
11 		Wright†
11 		Meyerle
10 		White†
9 		Jo O'Rourke,
T York 9
1881 Jones
23 		O'Rourke†
22 		Pike
20 		Hines
14 		Hall
13 		Brouthers†
12 		Start
12 		Wright†
11 		T York
11 		McVey
11
1882 O'Rourke†
24 		Jones
23 		Pike
20 		Brouthers†
18 		Hines
18 		Bennett
13 		Hall
13 		Stovey
13 		Start
12 		T York
12
1883 Jones
33 		Stovey
27 		O'Rourke†
25 		Hines
22 		Brouthers†
21 		Pike
20 		Bennett
18 		Farrell
14 		Wood
14 		T York
14
1884 Jones
40 		Stovey
37 		Brouthers†
35 		Williamson
35 		O'Rourke†
30 		Pfeffer
27 		Anson†
26 		Dalrymple
26 		Hines
25 		Dunlap
24
1885 Stovey
50 		Jones
45 		Brouthers†
42 		Williamson
38 		Dalrymple
37 		O'Rourke†
35 		Anson†
33 		Pfeffer
32 		K Kelly†
31 		Wood
27
1886 Stovey
57 		Brouthers†
53 		Jones
51 		Williamson
44 		Anson†
43 		Dalrymple
40 		Pfeffer
39 		O'Rourke†
36 		Hines
35 		K Kelly†
35
1887 Brouthers†
65 		Stovey
61 		Jones
56 		Pfeffer
55 		Williamson
53 		Anson†
50 		Hines
45 		Wood
45 		K Kelly†
43 		Dalrymple
42
1888 Brouthers†
74 		Stovey
70 		Pfeffer
63 		Anson†
62 		Williamson
61 		Jones
56 		Reilly
54 		Connor†
53 		Denny
52 		K Kelly†
52
1889 Stovey
89 		Brouthers†
81 		Denny
70 		Pfeffer
70 		Anson†
69 		Connor†
66 		Williamson
62 		K Kelly†
61 		Reilly
59 		Jones
56 		Wood
56
1890 Stovey
101 		Brouthers†
82 		Connor†
80 		Anson†
76 		Pfeffer
75 		Denny
73 		K Kelly†
65 		Reilly
65 		Wood
65 		Williamson
64
1891 Stovey
117 		Brouthers†
87 		Connor†
87 		Anson†
84 		Pfeffer
82 		Denny
73 		Reilly
69 		Richardson
68 		Wood
68 		K Kelly†
67
1892 Stovey
121 		Connor†
99 		Brouthers†
92 		Anson†
85 		Pfeffer
84 		Denny
73 		Ryan
73 		Thompson†
72 		Richardson
70 		K Kelly†
69 		Reilly
69
1893 Stovey
122 		Connor†
110 		Brouthers†
94 		Pfeffer
87 		Anson†
85 		Thompson†
83 		Tiernan
77 		Ryan
76 		Denny
74 		Richardson
70
1894 Stovey
122 		Connor†
118 		Brouthers†
103 		Thompson†
96 		Pfeffer
92 		Anson†
90 		Tiernan
82 		Ryan
79 		Denny
74 		Richardson
70
1895 Connor†
126 		Stovey
122 		Thompson†
114 		Brouthers†
105 		Anson†
92 		Pfeffer
92 		Tiernan
89 		Ryan
85 		Denny
74 		Duffy†
73
1896 Connor†
137 		Thompson†
126 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Tiernan
96 		Anson†
94 		Pfeffer
94 		Ryan
88 		Duffy†
78 		Denny
74
1897 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
126 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Tiernan
101 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Ryan
93 		Duffy†
89 		Denny
74
1898 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Anson†
97 		Duffy†
97 		Ryan
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Clements
76
1899 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Duffy†
102 		Ryan
100 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Delahanty†
80
1900 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Ryan
105 		Duffy†
104 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Long
86
1901 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Ryan
105 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Delahanty†
90
1902 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
111 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
100 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94
1903
–1913 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94
1914 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Anson†
97 		Pfeffer
94 		Wagner†
94
1915 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
100 		Anson†
97
1916 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101 		Anson†
97
1917 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101 		Cravath
98
1918 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Cravath
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101
1919 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Ryan
118 		Cravath
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101
1920 Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Ruth†
103 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101
1921 Ruth†
162 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106 		Delahanty†
101 		Wagner†
101
1922 Ruth†
197 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Walker
116 		C Williams
108 		Brouthers†
106 		Duffy†
106 		Tiernan
106
1923 Ruth†
238 		C Williams
149 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Walker
118 		Hornsby†
116 		K Williams
108
1924 Ruth†
284 		C Williams
173 		Hornsby†
141 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		K Williams
126 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Walker
118
1925 Ruth†
309 		C Williams
186 		Hornsby†
180 		K Williams
151 		Connor†
138 		Thompson†
127 		Wheat†
126 		Stovey
122 		Cravath
119 		Ryan
118 		Walker
118
1926 Ruth†
356 		C Williams
204 		Hornsby†
191 		K Williams
168 		Connor†
138 		Wheat†
131 		Thompson†
127 		Fournier
126 		G Kelly†
123 		Stovey
122
1927 Ruth†
416 		C Williams
234 		Hornsby†
217 		K Williams
185 		Connor†
138 		Fournier
136 		Heilmann†
135 		Wheat†
132 		G Kelly†
128 		Thompson†
127
1928 Ruth†
470 		C Williams
246 		Hornsby†
238 		K Williams
193 		Heilmann†
149 		Connor†
138 		Fournier
136 		Meusel
136 		Wheat†
132 		G Kelly†
131
1929 Ruth†
516 		Hornsby†
277 		C Williams
251 		K Williams
196 		Heilmann†
164 		Bottomley†
146 		Gehrig†
146 		Meusel
146 		Connor†
138 		Wilson†
137
1930 Ruth†
565 		Hornsby†
279 		C Williams
251 		K Williams
196 		Wilson†
193 		Gehrig†
187 		Heilmann†
183 		Bottomley†
161 		Meusel
156 		Simmons†
151
1931 Ruth†
611 		Hornsby†
295 		C Williams
251 		Gehrig†
233 		Wilson†
206 		K Williams
196 		Heilmann†
183 		Simmons†
173 		Bottomley†
170 		Goslin†
169
1932 Ruth†
652 		Hornsby†
296 		Gehrig†
267 		C Williams
251 		Wilson†
229 		Simmons†
208 		K Williams
196 		Goslin†
186 		Heilmann†
183 		Bottomley†
181
1933 Ruth†
686 		Gehrig†
299 		Hornsby†
299 		C Williams
251 		Wilson†
238 		Foxx†
222 		Simmons†
222 		Goslin†
196 		K Williams
196 		Bottomley†
194
1934 Ruth†
708 		Gehrig†
348 		Hornsby†
300 		Foxx†
266 		C Williams
251 		Wilson†
244 		Simmons†
240 		Klein†
211 		Ott†
211 		Goslin†
209
1935 Ruth†
714 		Gehrig†
378 		Foxx†
302 		Hornsby†
300 		Simmons†
256 		C Williams
251 		Wilson†
244 		Ott†
242 		Klein†
232 		Goslin†
218
1936 Ruth†
714 		Gehrig†
427 		Foxx†
343 		Hornsby†
300 		Ott†
275 		Simmons†
269 		Klein†
257 		C Williams
251 		Wilson†
244 		Goslin†
242
1937 Ruth†
714 		Gehrig†
464 		Foxx†
379 		Ott†
306 		Hornsby†
301 		Simmons†
277 		Klein†
272 		C Williams
251 		Goslin†
246 		Wilson†
244
1938 Ruth†
714 		Gehrig†
493 		Foxx†
429 		Ott†
342 		Hornsby†
301 		Simmons†
298 		Klein†
280 		C Williams
251 		Goslin†
248 		Wilson†
244
1939 Ruth†
714 		Gehrig†
493 		Foxx†
464 		Ott†
369 		Simmons†
305 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
292 		C Williams
251 		Goslin†
248 		Wilson†
244
1940 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
500 		Gehrig†
493 		Ott†
388 		Simmons†
306 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
299 		C Williams
251 		Goslin†
248 		Greenberg†
247
1941 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
519 		Gehrig†
493 		Ott†
415 		Simmons†
306 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		C Williams
251 		Greenberg†
249 		Goslin†
248
1942 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
527 		Gehrig†
493 		Ott†
445 		Simmons†
306 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
252 		C Williams
251 		Greenberg†
249
1943 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
527 		Gehrig†
493 		Ott†
463 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
259 		C Williams
251 		Greenberg†
249
1944 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
527 		Gehrig†
493 		Ott†
489 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
276 		C Williams
251 		Greenberg†
249
1945 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
510 		Gehrig†
493 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
288 		Greenberg†
262 		C Williams
251
1946 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Simmons†
307 		Greenberg†
306 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
288 		R York
256
1947 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Greenberg†
331 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Johnson
288 		R York
277
1948 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Greenberg†
331 		Simmons†
307 		DiMaggio†
303 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300 		Mize†
297
1949 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Greenberg†
331 		DiMaggio†
317 		Mize†
316 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300
1950 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		DiMaggio†
349 		Mize†
341 		Greenberg†
331 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301 		Klein†
300
1951 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
351 		Greenberg†
331 		T Williams†
323 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301
1952 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
355 		Greenberg†
331 		T Williams†
324 		Simmons†
307 		Hornsby†
301
1953 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		T Williams†
337 		Greenberg†
331 		Kiner†
329 		Simmons†
307
1954 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
366 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Kiner†
351 		Greenberg†
331 		Simmons†
307
1955 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
394 		Kiner†
369 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Greenberg†
331 		Musial†
325
1956 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
418 		Kiner†
369 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Musial†
352 		Greenberg†
331
1957 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
456 		Musial†
381 		Kiner†
369 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Greenberg†
331
1958 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
482 		Musial†
398 		Kiner†
369 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Greenberg†
331 		Snider†
331
1959 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		T Williams†
492 		Musial†
412 		Kiner†
369 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359 		Snider†
354
1960 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
429 		Kiner†
369 		Snider†
368 		DiMaggio†
361 		Mize†
359
1961 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
444 		Snider†
384 		Mantle†
374 		Mathews†
370 		Kiner†
369
1962 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
463 		Mantle†
404 		Mathews†
399 		Snider†
389 		Hodges†
370
1963 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
475 		Mathews†
422 		Mantle†
419 		Mays†
406 		Snider†
403
1964 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
475 		Mantle†
454 		Mays†
453 		Mathews†
445 		Snider†
407
1965 Ruth†
714 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Mays†
505 		Gehrig†
493 		Mathews†
477 		Musial†
475 		Mantle†
473 		Snider†
407
1966 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
542 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Ott†
511 		Mantle†
496 		Gehrig†
493 		Mathews†
493 		Musial†
475 		Aaron†
442
1967 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
564 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mantle†
518 		Ott†
511 		Mathews†
509 		Gehrig†
493 		Aaron†
481 		Musial†
475
1968 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
587 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Ott†
511 		Aaron†
510 		Gehrig†
493 		Musial†
475
1969 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
600 		Aaron†
554 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Ott†
511 		Banks†
497 		Gehrig†
493
1970 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
628 		Aaron†
592 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Ott†
511 		Banks†
509 		Gehrig†
493
1971 Ruth†
714 		Mays†
646 		Aaron†
639 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Killebrew†
515 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512 		Ott†
511
1972 Ruth†
714 		Aaron†
673 		Mays†
654 		Killebrew†
541 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		Robinson†
522 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1973 Ruth†
714 		Aaron†
713 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
552 		Killebrew†
546 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1974 Aaron†
733 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
574 		Killebrew†
559 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1975 Aaron†
745 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1976
–1978 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1979 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
520 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1980
–1984 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521 		Mathews†
512 		Banks†
512
1985 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		Jackson†
530 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521
1986 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
548 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521
1987 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		Schmidt†
530 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521
1988 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
542 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521
1989
–1998 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
548 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		T Williams†
521 		McCovey†
521
1999 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
548 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534 		McGwire
522
2000 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		McGwire
554 		Schmidt†
548 		Mantle†
536 		Foxx†
534
2001 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Bonds
567 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
548 		Mantle†
536
2002 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Bonds
613 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
548 		Mantle†
536
2003 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Bonds
658 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Schmidt†
548 		Sosa
539
2004 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Bonds
703 		Mays†
660 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Sosa
574 		Killebrew†
573 		Jackson†
563 		Palmeiro
551
2005 Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Bonds
708 		Mays†
660 		Sosa
588 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Palmeiro
569 		Jackson†
563
2006 Aaron†
755 		Bonds
734 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Sosa
588 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Palmeiro
569 		Griffey Jr.†
563 		Jackson†
563
2007 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Sosa
609 		Griffey Jr.†
593 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Palmeiro
569
2008 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
611 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Killebrew†
573 		Palmeiro
569
2009 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583 		Rodríguez
583 		Killebrew†
573
2010 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Rodríguez
613 		Sosa
609 		Thome†
589 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583
2011 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Rodríguez
629 		Sosa
609 		Thome†
604 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583
2012 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Rodríguez
647 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583
2013
–2014 		Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Mays†
660 		Rodríguez
654 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583
2015 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
687 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586 		McGwire
583
2016 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Pujols
591 		Robinson†
586
2017 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Pujols
614 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
2018 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Mays†
660 		Pujols
633 		Griffey†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
2019 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Mays†
660 		Pujols
656 		Griffey†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
2020 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Pujols
662 		Mays†
660 		Griffey†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
2021 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Rodríguez
696 		Pujols
679 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
Since 2022 Bonds
762 		Aaron†
755 		Ruth†
714 		Pujols
703 		Rodríguez
696 		Mays†
660 		Griffey Jr.†
630 		Thome†
612 		Sosa
609 		Robinson†
586
Statistics updated through 2022 season.

Leadership dates

Starting with Harry Stovey passing Charley Jones in August 1885, there have been seven changes of the career home run leader. Stovey held the title twice, having lost it to Dan Brouthers in June 1887 and then regaining it from Brouthers in August 1889. In the modern era—since the formation of the American League in 1901—there have only been four players who have held the title.

Harry Stovey held the career home run record twice during the late 1800s.
Player Became leader Career Date
surpassed 		Duration
of reign 		Ref.
HR no. Date hit Total HR Last year
Charley Jones     56 1888 August 11, 1885†   [2]
Harry Stovey 46 August 11, 1885 122 1893 June 29, 1887† 1y 10m 18d [2]
Dan Brouthers 59 June 29, 1887 106 1904 August 13, 1889† 2y 1m 15d [2]
Harry Stovey ‡ August 13, 1889 122 1893 June 23, 1895 5y 10m 10d [2]
Roger Connor 123 June 23, 1895 138 1897 July 18, 1921 26y 25d [2][3]
Babe Ruth 139 July 18, 1921 714 1935 April 8, 1974 52y 8m 21d [4][5]
Hank Aaron 715 April 8, 1974 755 1976 August 7, 2007 33y 3m 30d [6]
Barry Bonds 756 August 7, 2007 762 2007 — 16y 6m 1d [7]
† indicates the player hit additional home runs after being passed.
‡ source material is unclear of Stovey's home run count when passing Brouthers

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b "Progressive Leaders & Records for Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vincent, David (2008). Home Run: The Definitive History of Baseball's Ultimate Weapon. Potomac Books. p. 14. ISBN 978-1597970365 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Browns Hit the Ball". The Pittsburg Post. June 24, 1895. p. 6. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  4. ^ Britton, Evan. "Babe Ruth smacks 139th home run of career, passing Roger Connor as all-time home run leader". famousdaily.com. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  5. ^ "New York Yankees 10, Detroit Tigers 1". Retrosheet. July 18, 1921. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "Atlanta Braves 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 4". Retrosheet. April 8, 1974. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  7. ^ "Washington Nationals 8, San Francisco Giants 6". Retrosheet. August 7, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
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