A home run is a four-base hit clearing the bases. It is abbreviated as HR. Every runner scores including the batter. A home run usually is hit out of the park, beyond the outfield fence, but it is also possible to hit an inside-the-park home run. A home run hit with the bases loaded is a grand slam.

There are a variety of ways to set records with home runs. The major league record for the most home runs in a single game is four (held by 18 players - see list below). The major league record for most home runs in a single inning is 2, achieved by many players. The major league record for the most consecutive games in which a home run has been hit by a player is eight (held by Ken Griffey Jr., Dale Long, and Don Mattingly). The major league record for the most home runs in a single season is 73 (Barry Bonds). The major league record for the most home runs in a single season in the American League is 61 (Roger Maris). The major league record for most seasons as the season home run champ is 12, held by Babe Ruth. The modern major league record for fewest home runs in a season by the league leader is 7 (held by several players). The major league record for most home runs in a season by a pitcher is 9 (Wes Ferrell). The major league record for most home runs in a season by a pinch hitter is 7 (Craig Wilson and Dave Hansen). The major league record for the most home runs in a single season against a single opponent is 14 (Lou Gehrig, against the 1936 Cleveland Indians).

All-Time Leaders [ edit ]

Four home runs in one game [ edit ]

Two home runs in one inning [ edit ]

The first player to hit two home runs in one inning was Charley Jones of the Boston Red Caps on June 10, 1880. The feat has since been reproduced many times, but never topped. Willie McCovey was the first player to accomplish the feat twice, doing so on April 12, 1973 and again on June 27, 1977, both times with the San Francisco Giants. He has since been joined by Andre Dawson and Jeff King in the National League, and Alex Rodriguez and Edwin Encarnacion in the American League. No one has done it three times, or done it in two different leagues. Fernando Tatis is the only player to have hit two grand slams in the same inning, doing so on April 23, 1999, with the St. Louis Cardinals.

There have 63 instances of this feat in major league history, including once each in the American Association and in the Players League. A complete list of occurrences can be found at the Baseball Almanac [1].

Other terms [ edit ]

There are many slang terms for home run, including homer, dinger, tater, round tripper, four bagger, circuit clout, and moon shot. A home run hit with the bases loaded is known as a grand slam.

For a full list, see List of nicknames for a home run.

Further Reading [ edit ]