the new 50

[acetoolguy]

A guy on the radio today said that 30 homers was the new benchmark that 50 used to be. That seems way to low to me....I think 40 to 44 is a better marker for an elite season. Your thoughts?

[HoustonGM]

That's pretty stupid considering 29 guys hit 30 home runs last year. Even at the height of the "Steroid Era" in the late 90's/early aughts, there was only 1-3 guys with 50 HR each year.

[OregonDuck1989]

I think 30 is a benchmark for a really good season. But I would concur that 40 is probably elite.

[HoustonGM]

Leaguewide HR/G:

1992: 0.72
1993: 0.89
1994: 1.03
1995: 1.01
1996: 1.09
1997: 1.02
1998: 1.04
1999: 1.14
2000: 1.17
2001: 1.12
2002: 1.04
2003: 1.07
2004: 1.12
2005: 1.03
2006: 1.11
2007: 1.02
2008: 1.00
2009: 1.04

For all this talk of a lack of home runs, home runs have actually been fairly consistent since 1994.

I'm sorry, though, I know people don't like facts :(

[OregonDuck1989]

Stfu

[TheNamelessPoet]

stfu with your proof steroids did nto help everyone :D

[free2131]

STEROIDS KILL BABY SEALSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSes

[200tang]

ur a seal.

[boomboom]

league wide yes, more players are hitting homers, especially fridge players. The gap between great players and average players seems to be lessening. It almost feels like this is 80's baseball again. I think that 40+ is an elite "home run" season.

[HoustonGM]

I dunno, theres still like 5 guys a year with 40 HR. I'd put it at 45 if you want to consider "elite" the same as what 50 was during the late 90s/early 00s.

And it was only 2007 when two players hit 50... it's not like it's unheard of or anything anymore.

[OregonDuck1989]

The 5 who hit 40 home runs last year were:

Pujols, 47
Fielder, 46
Howard, 45
Reynolds, 44
A-Gonz, 40

I'd say 2 of those 5 had elite seasons in Pujols and Fielder and the others had "very good" seasons