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59-549: The Babe Ruth Home Run Award was an annual award presented to the previous season's leading home run hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB). The award was named after the legendary Babe Ruth , who led the American League in homers 12 times. It was first awarded to Mark McGwire after his record-setting 1998 season . The award was a 21-pound (9.5 kg), 20-inch-high (51 cm) bronze statue of Ruth based on

118-404: A single into an extra-base hit. Doubles typically drive in runs from third base , second base, and even from first base at times. When total bases and slugging percentages are calculated, the number two is used for the calculation. Teams sometimes position their fielders in a "no doubles" defense, meaning: This defensive alignment is typically seen late in a game, when the team in

177-480: A 1920 photo of him following through on a tremendous swing. The Babe Ruth Home Run Award was developed by brothers Jim and Brian Sullivan. Jim was the sculptor, while Brian focused on the marketing of the award. The Sullivans originally wanted to create a life-size statue of Ruth as a tourist attraction similar to the Michael Jordan statue . Unable to secure a sponsor, they created the award to honor Ruth. The trophy

236-470: A fair ball, and an umpire may award a home run to the batter if a fielder does so on a ball that, in the umpire's judgment, would have otherwise been a home run (this is rare in modern professional baseball). A home run accomplished in any of the above manners is an automatic home run. The ball is dead, even if it rebounds back onto the field (e.g., from striking a foul pole), and the batter and any preceding runners cannot be put out at any time while running

295-415: A fast runner hits the ball deep into the outfield and the ball bounces in an unexpected direction away from the nearest outfielder (e.g., off a divot in the field or off the outfield wall), the nearest outfielder is injured on the play and cannot get to the ball, or an outfielder misjudges the flight of the ball in a way that he cannot quickly recover from the mistake (e.g., by diving and missing). The speed of

354-622: A home run is commonly referred to as back-to-back-to-back. Four home runs in a row has only occurred eleven times in Major League Baseball history. Following convention, this is called back-to-back-to-back-to-back. The most recent occurrence was on July 2, 2022, when the St. Louis Cardinals hit four in a row against the Philadelphia Phillies . Nolan Arenado , Nolan Gorman , Juan Yepez , and Dylan Carlson hit consecutive home runs during

413-400: A home run. An official scorer will credit the batter with a hit , a run scored, and a run batted in (RBI), as well as an RBI for each runner on base . The pitcher is recorded as having given up a hit and a run, with additional runs charged for each base-runner that scores. Home runs are among the most popular aspects of baseball and, as a result, prolific home run hitters are usually

472-597: A lead change in each instance. On July 23, 2017, Whit Merrifield , Jorge Bonifacio , and Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox. The Royals went on to win the game 5–4. On June 20, 2018, George Springer , Alex Bregman , and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning against

531-459: A play, however, still count. An example of an unexpected bounce occurred during the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco on July 10, 2007. Ichiro Suzuki of the American League team hit a fly ball that caromed off the right-center field wall in the opposite direction from where National League right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. was expecting it to go. By

590-420: A player hitting a home run may be said to have "gone deep" or "gone yard". A home run is most often scored when the ball is hit over the outfield wall between the foul poles (in fair territory ) before it touches the ground ( in flight ), and without being caught or deflected back onto the field by a fielder. A batted ball is also a home run if it touches either a foul pole or its attached screen before touching

649-565: A row. Such a home run can also be called a " sudden death " or "sudden victory" home run. That usage has lessened as "walk-off home run" has gained favor. Along with Mazeroski's 1960 shot, the most famous walk-off or sudden-death home run would most likely be the " Shot Heard 'Round the World " hit by Bobby Thomson to win the 1951 National League pennant for the New York Giants , along with many other game-ending home runs that famously ended some of

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708-529: A single and an error , however. The sole player to have twice hit three doubles in a postseason game is Albert Pujols , both times in the 2011 postseason. The most doubles hit in a postseason game by both teams combined is 13, by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS . There have been 13 postseason games that ended with a walk-off double; the most recent was hit by Carlos Correa of

767-545: A single postseason: Albert Pujols and David Freese (both 2011) and Ben Zobrist (2015). The most doubles hit by a player in a major league game is four. This has been achieved more than 40 times, most recently on April 27, 2022, by Kyle Farmer for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres . Only two players—Billy Werber and Albert Belle—have achieved the feat twice. Johnny Damon and Shannon Stewart are

826-465: Is a home run hit by the first batter of a team, the leadoff hitter of the first inning of the game. In MLB (major league Baseball), Rickey Henderson holds the career record with 81 lead-off home runs. Craig Biggio holds the National League career record with 53, fourth overall to Henderson, George Springer with 60, and Alfonso Soriano with 54. As of August 21 2024, George Springer holds

885-469: Is in Approved Ruling (2) of Rule 7.10(b). An inside-the-park home run is a rare play in which a batter rounds all four bases for a home run without the baseball leaving the field of play. Unlike with an outside-the-park home run, the batter-runner and all preceding runners are liable to be put out by the defensive team at any time while running the bases. This can only happen if the ball does not leave

944-533: Is the only major league game to begin and end with back-to-back home runs. On May 5, 2019, Eugenio Suarez , Jesse Winker and Derek Dietrich of the Cincinnati Reds, hit back-to-back-to-back home runs on three straight pitches against Jeff Samardzija of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning. On October 30, 2021, Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler hit back-to-back home runs for

1003-418: Is usually achieved by hitting the ball over the outfield fence between the foul poles (or hitting either foul pole) without the ball touching the field . Inside-the-park home runs where the batter reaches home safely while the baseball is in play on the field are infrequent. In very rare cases, a fielder attempting to catch a ball in flight may misplay it and knock it over the outfield fence, resulting in

1062-644: The Atlanta Braves off Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier to give the Braves a 3–2 lead in the bottom of the seventh in Game 4 of the World Series . On October 18, 2024, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back quadruples to take the lead in a game of the American League Championship Series. The record for consecutive home runs by a batter under any circumstances is four. Of

1121-519: The Houston Astros in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS . The 1924 and 1929 World Series were both won via a game-ending RBI double. Nine players have hit two doubles in an All-Star Game , most recently Jonathan Lucroy in the 2014 edition . Bo Bichette hit a double in a record nine consecutive games in 2019. Among MLB pitchers, Earl Whitehill of the Washington Senators has given up

1180-571: The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, umpires awarded Dave Kingman a ground rule double in a 1984 game, when a ball he hit became stuck in the roof, although no specific ground rule existed for that situation at the Metrodome at the time. The all-time leader in doubles is Tris Speaker , with 792. The following players are the top 10 Major League doubles hitters of all-time: Derek Jeter has

1239-425: The "gap" between the center fielder and one of the corner outfielders , bounces off the outfield wall and down into the field of play, or is hit up one of the two foul lines. To hit many doubles, a batter must have decent hitting skill and power; it also helps to run well enough to beat an outfield throw. Many of the best double hitting batters were revered for high baseball IQ and the ability to slide well and turn

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1298-414: The 17th; walked as a pinch-hitter on the 18th; there was no game on the 19th; hit another pinch-homer on the 20th; homered and then was lifted for a pinch-runner after at least one walk, on the 21st; and homered after at least one walk on the 22nd. All in all, he had four walks interspersed among his four homers. Double (baseball) Typically, a double is a well-hit ball into the outfield that finds

1357-585: The Chicago White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 9–2. In this game, Jim Thome , Paul Konerko , Alexei Ramírez , and Juan Uribe hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs in that order. Thome, Konerko, and Ramirez hit their home runs against Joel Peralta, while Uribe did it off Rob Tejeda. On April 22, 2007, the Boston Red Sox were trailing the New York Yankees 3–0 when Manny Ramirez , J. D. Drew , Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek hit consecutive home runs to put them up 4–3. They eventually went on to win

1416-535: The Los Angeles Dodgers. With this feat, Tatís also set a Major League record with 8 RBI in one inning. On July 29, 2003, against the Texas Rangers, Bill Mueller of the Boston Red Sox became the only player in major league history to hit two grand slams in one game from opposite sides of the plate; he hit three home runs in that game, and his two grand slams were in consecutive at-bats. On August 25, 2011,

1475-509: The New York Yankees became the first team to hit three grand slams in one game vs the Oakland A's. The Yankees eventually won the game 22–9, after trailing 7–1. On October 25th, 2024, Freddie Freeman made history by hitting a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series , leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to win against the New York Yankees 3-6 in the bottom of the 10th inning. Freeman is

1534-575: The Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros went on to win the game 5–1. On April 3, 2018, the St. Louis Cardinals began the game against the Milwaukee Brewers with back-to-back home runs from Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham . Then in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and the Cardinals leading 4–3, Christian Yelich homered to tie the game; and Ryan Braun hit the next pitch for a walk-off home run. This

1593-924: The Yankees. Raines' home run tied the game. New York went on to win 8–6. This was the first occurrence of three home runs in a row ever in postseason play. The Boston Red Sox repeated the feat in Game Four of the 2007 American League Championship Series , also against the Indians. The Indians returned the favor in Game One of the 2016 American League Division Series . Twice in MLB history have two brothers hit back-to-back home runs. On April 23, 2013, brothers Melvin Upton Jr. (formerly B.J. Upton) and Justin Upton hit back-to-back home runs. The first time

1652-489: The ballfield. In the early days of baseball, outfields were much more spacious, reducing the likelihood of an over-the-fence home run, while increasing the likelihood of an inside-the-park home run, as a ball getting past an outfielder had more distance that it could roll before a fielder could track it down. Modern outfields are much less spacious and more uniformly designed than in the game's early days. Therefore, inside-the-park home runs are now rare. They usually occur when

1711-418: The base they occupied at the time of the pitch. Prior to 1931 , such hits were considered home runs . A two-base hit awarded because the batter hit into a special situation defined in the ground rules is also defined as a ground rule double. An example of this occurs where the rules of Chicago's Wrigley Field award a ground rule double if a batted ball is lost in the vines on the outfield bleacher wall. At

1770-404: The bases are "loaded" (that is, there are base runners standing at first, second, and third base) and the batter hits a home run. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary , the term originated in the card game of contract bridge . An inside-the-park grand slam is a grand slam that is also an inside-the-park home run , a home run without the ball leaving the field, and it is very rare, due to

1829-435: The bases. However, if one or more runners fail to touch a base or one runner passes another before reaching home plate, that runner or runners can be called out on appeal , though in the case of not touching a base a runner can go back and touch it if doing so will not cause them to be passed by another preceding runner and they have not yet touched the next base (or home plate in the case of missing third base). This stipulation

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1888-422: The batter) and thus the home run is often called a two-run homer or two-run shot . Similarly, a home run with two runners on base is a three-run homer or three-run shot . The term "four-run homer" is never used. Instead, it's called a "grand slam". Hitting a grand slam is the best possible result for the batter's turn at bat and the worst possible result for the pitcher and his team. A grand slam occurs when

1947-544: The bottom of the tenth, on a walk-off two-run home run by Nomar Garciaparra . J. D. Drew has been part of two different sets of back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs. In both occurrences, his home run was the second of the four. On September 30, 1997, in the sixth inning of Game One of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians , Tim Raines , Derek Jeter and Paul O'Neill hit back-to-back-to-back home runs for

2006-438: The career record among active players, with 60 leadoff home runs, which also ranks him second all-time. In 1996, Brady Anderson set a Major League record by hitting a lead-off home run in four consecutive games. When consecutive batters hit home runs, it's referred to as back-to-back home runs. The home runs are still considered back-to-back even if the batters hit their home runs off different pitchers. A third batter hitting

2065-473: The field during the attempt, and if the fielder successfully catches the ball while it is in flight the batter is out, even if the ball had already passed the vertical plane of the wall. However, since the fielder is not part of the field, a ball that bounces off a fielder (including his glove) and over the wall without touching the ground is still a home run. A fielder may not deliberately throw his glove , cap , or any other equipment or apparel to stop or deflect

2124-436: The field is ahead by one or two runs. Renowned doubles hitters occasionally acquire a nickname that relates to their doubles hitting, for example "Mitchy Two Bags" ( Mitch Moreland ) and "Tony Two Bags" ( Anthony Rendon ). A two-base hit awarded by an umpire when a batted ball is hit fairly and bounces out of play is referred to as a ground rule double . The batter is awarded second base and any runners advance two bases from

2183-576: The first inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox . The Mariners batted around in the inning, and Boone and Cameron came up to bat against reliever Jim Parque with two outs, again hitting back-to-back home runs and becoming the only pair of teammates to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same inning. On June 19, 2012, José Bautista and Colby Rasmus hit back-to-back home runs and back-to-back-to-back home runs with Edwin Encarnación for

2242-641: The first inning off starting pitcher Kyle Gibson . On June 9, 2019, the Washington Nationals hit four in a row against the San Diego Padres in Petco Park as Howie Kendrick , Trea Turner , Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon homered off pitcher Craig Stammen . Stammen became the fifth pitcher to surrender back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs, following Paul Foytack on July 31, 1963, Chase Wright on April 22, 2007, Dave Bush on August 10, 2010, and Michael Blazek on July 27, 2017. On August 14, 2008,

2301-510: The game 7–6 after a three-run home run by Mike Lowell in the bottom of the seventh inning. On September 18, 2006, trailing 9–5 to the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning, Jeff Kent , J. D. Drew , Russell Martin , and Marlon Anderson of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs to tie the game. After giving up a run in the top of the tenth, the Dodgers won the game in

2360-426: The ground, as the foul poles are by definition in fair territory. Additionally, many major-league ballparks have ground rules stating that a batted ball in flight that strikes a specified location or fixed object is a home run; this usually applies to objects that are beyond the outfield wall but are located such that it may be difficult for the umpire to judge. In professional baseball, a batted ball that goes over

2419-460: The home team the lead and thereby ends the game. The term is attributed to Hall of Fame relief pitcher Dennis Eckersley , so named because after the run is scored, the losing team has to "walk off" the field. Two World Series have ended via the "walk-off" home run. The first was the 1960 World Series when Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a ninth inning solo home run in

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2478-427: The moment the runner touches home plate—whichever happens last. However, this is superseded by the "ground rule", which provides automatic doubles (when a ball-in-play hits the ground first then leaves the playing field) and home runs (when a ball-in-play leaves the playing field without ever touching the ground). In the latter case, all base runners including the batter are allowed to cross the plate. A leadoff home run

2537-468: The most career doubles (32) in postseason history. Only five players in Major League history have reached 50 or more doubles in a season at least three times: Tris Speaker (1912, 1920–21, 1923, 1926), Paul Waner (1928, 1932, 1936), Stan Musial (1944, 1946, 1953), Brian Roberts (2004, 2008–09) and Albert Pujols (2003–04, 2012). Individual season leaders: Three players have hit eight doubles in

2596-443: The most important and suspenseful baseball games. A walk-off home run over the fence is an exception to baseball's one-run rule. Normally if the home team is tied or behind in the ninth or extra innings, the game ends as soon as the home team scores enough runs to achieve a lead. If the home team has two outs in the inning, and the game is tied, the game will officially end either the moment the batter successfully reaches first base or

2655-474: The most popular among fans and consequently the highest paid by teams—hence the old saying, "Home run hitters drive Cadillacs , and singles hitters drive Fords " (coined, circa 1948, by veteran pitcher Fritz Ostermueller , by way of mentoring his young teammate, Ralph Kiner ). Nicknames for a home run include "homer", "round tripper", "four-bagger", "big fly", "goner" "dinger", "long ball", "jack", "quadruple", "moon shot", "bomb", "tater", and "blast", while

2714-458: The only player in MLB history to do so in the World Series. These types of home runs are characterized by the specific game situation in which they occur, and can theoretically occur on either an outside-the-park or inside-the-park home run. A walk-off home run is a home run hit by the home team in the bottom of the ninth inning, any extra inning , or other scheduled final inning, which gives

2773-461: The only players to have hit four doubles in interleague play , doing so in separate games on July 18, 2000. The St. Louis Cardinals have recorded the most doubles by a team in one game: they hit 13 doubles in a 17–13 win over the Chicago Cubs on July 12, 1931, in the second game of a doubleheader . Frank Isbell of the Chicago White Sox hit four doubles in Game 5 of the 1906 World Series ,

2832-414: The only time this has been achieved in the postseason . Freddy Sanchez was the first player to hit three doubles in his first three World Series plate appearances, doing so in Game 1 of the 2010 World Series . Later in the game, Sanchez reached second base on a base hit that was initially scored as a double, which would have tied Isbell's World Series and postseason records; the play was later amended to

2891-405: The outfield wall after touching the ground (i.e. a ball that bounces over the outfield wall) becomes an automatic double . This is colloquially referred to as a " ground rule double " even though it is uniform across all of Major League Baseball , per MLB rules 5.05(a)(6) through 5.05(a)(9). A fielder is allowed to reach over the wall to try to catch the ball as long as his feet are on or over

2950-441: The relative rarity of loading the bases along with the significant rarity (nowadays) of inside-the-park home runs. On July 25, 1956, Roberto Clemente became the only MLB player to have ever scored a walk-off inside-the-park grand slam in a 9–8 Pittsburgh Pirates win over the Chicago Cubs , at Forbes Field . On April 23, 1999, Fernando Tatís made history by hitting two grand slams in one inning, both against Chan Ho Park of

3009-412: The runner is crucial as even triples are relatively rare in most modern ballparks. If any defensive play on an inside-the-park home run is labeled an error by the official scorer, a home run is not scored. Instead, it is scored as a single , double , or triple , and the batter-runner and any applicable preceding runners are said to have taken all additional bases on error. All runs scored on such

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3068-634: The seventh game of the series off New York Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry to give the Pirates the World Championship. The second time was the 1993 World Series when Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a ninth inning three-run home run off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams in Game 6 of the series, to help the Toronto Blue Jays capture their second World Series Championship in

3127-458: The sixteen players (through 2012) who have hit four in one game, six have hit them consecutively. Twenty-eight other batters have hit four consecutive across two games. Bases on balls do not count as at-bats, and Ted Williams holds the record for consecutive home runs across the most games, four in four games played, during September 17–22, 1957, for the Red Sox. Williams hit a pinch-hit home run on

3186-546: The time the ball was relayed, Ichiro had already crossed the plate standing up. This was the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star Game history, and led to Suzuki being named the game's Most Valuable Player . Home runs are often characterized by the number of runners on base at the time. A home run hit with the bases empty is never called a "one-run homer", but rather a solo home run , solo homer , or "solo shot". With one runner on base, two runs score (the base-runner and

3245-431: Was accompanied by various Ruthian theatrics, yet the pitcher, Charlie Root , was allowed to stay in the game. He delivered just one more pitch, which Lou Gehrig drilled out of the park for a back-to-back shot, after which Root was removed from the game. In Game 3 of the 1976 NLCS , George Foster and Johnny Bench hit back-to-back home runs in the last of the ninth off Ron Reed to tie the game. The Series-winning run

3304-589: Was estimated to cost around $ 4,000 as of 2006, and it was funded by the Sullivans and given on behalf of their company, Sullivan Artworks based in Weymouth, Massachusetts . MLB was not interested in sponsoring the award; the American League already honored its home run champion with a nameless award, and the National League offered the Mel Ott Award . Both the awards received little publicity. The Babe Ruth Home Run Award

3363-545: Was on September 15, 1938, when Lloyd Waner and Paul Waner performed the feat. Simple back-to-back home runs are a relatively frequent occurrence. If a pitcher gives up a home run, he might have his concentration broken and might alter his normal approach in an attempt to "make up for it" by striking out the next batter with some fastballs. Sometimes the next batter will be expecting that and will capitalize on it. A notable back-to-back home run of that type in World Series play involved " Babe Ruth's called shot " in 1932, which

3422-461: Was scored later in the inning. Another notable pair of back-to-back home runs occurred on September 14, 1990 , when Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. hit back-to-back home runs, off Kirk McCaskill , the only father-and-son duo to do so in Major League history. On May 2, 2002 , Bret Boone and Mike Cameron of the Seattle Mariners hit back-to-back home runs off starter Jon Rauch in

3481-403: Was usually presented to the recipient by Ruth's daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens , or her son, Tom Stevens. Home run In baseball , a home run , homerun or homer (abbreviated HR ) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run

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