I thought it was time for another look at the career leader boards. Here are the all-time leaders in a number of hitting and pitching categories.
Code:
BATTING AVERAGE
1 T. Cobb .357
2 W. Keeler .350
3 B. Leonard* .346
4 H. Wagner .343
5 D. Alexander* .341
6 C. Klein* .340
7 L. Waner* .340
8 C. Bell* .339
9 O. Charleston .336
10 G. Goslin* .336
11 N. Lajoie .335
12 M. Haas* .334
13 J. Jackson .333
14 P. Waner* .332
15 C. Jamieson .332
16 E. Averill* .332
17 E. Murphy .331
18 C. Hafey* .331
19 L. Gehrig* .330
20 F. Luderus .329
21 H. Manush* .329
22 M. Suttles* .329
23 B. Chapman* .328
24 T. Shafer .327
25 P. O'Farrell .327
A few of these active players may move off this list as they decline. If a player is still fairly close to the top as he reaches his mid-thirties, he’s a decent bet to stay on the chart. Among these players are Goslin (age 35), Alexander, Haas, Bell, and Paul Waner (all 32).
Code:
HOME RUNS
1 B. Ruth 617
2 O. Charleston 422
3 L. Gehrig* 370
4 B. Leonard* 256
4 J. Bottomley* 256
6 J. Foxx* 239
7 M. Ott* 232
8 J. Hauser* 225
9 R. Hornsby 216
10 P. O'Farrell 209
The two leading home run sluggers in history have now put away their booming bats for good. Oscar would have been a cinch to join the Babe in the 500 club had he been able to begin his career at 22, say, instead of 26. Gehrig (age 32) has a great chance at 500, and I’ll predict that Leonard and Foxx, who are both 28, will join him.
Take your last look at the name of Pat O'Farrell among the top ten home run hitters of all time.