The Record for Most Home Runs in a Career with One Team in MLB

As of August 2023, the record for the most home runs in a career with one team in Major League Baseball (MLB) is held by Babe Ruth, with a staggering 659 home runs for the New York Yankees.

Franchise HR Leaderboard

Only eleven players have achieved 500 home runs for a single franchise. Among them, Hank Aaron stands out, hitting 733 out of his 755 career home runs with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, while Mike Schmidt holds the record for hitting all his home runs with a single franchise, albeit with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Babe Ruth's Legacy

Babe Ruth's achievement is particularly notable because it was consistent with a single team over a long period. Despite the advent of free agency, which has made changing teams more common, Ruth's 659 home runs with the New York Yankees remain the benchmark.

Potential for the Record to be Broken

The record is unlikely to be broken in the near future, for several reasons:

Injuries can hinder a player's performance, as seen with Ken Griffey Jr., who was on track to challenge the record but was derailed by injuries.

The difficulty of hitting home runs in a lineup that supports your offensive efforts, as proven by Hank Aaron's success surrounded by great hitters.

The current trend towards shorter seasons due to external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and labor disputes can greatly impact a player's career and opportunities.

While more home runs are being hit today, hitters strike out more frequently, making it harder to accumulate home runs consistently.

Babe Ruth's success came from his unique ability to make contact, as reflected in his high batting average of .305.

Other Teams with Notable Hitters

In addition to the Yankees, other teams with significant home run hitters include:

The Atlanta Braves, home of Eddie Mathews, Dale Murphy, and Hank Aaron.

The Boston Red Sox, with David Ortiz, Ted Williams, and Jim Rice leading their lineup in home runs.

Aaron's Underappreciated Legacy

While Hank Aaron's career is considered one of the greatest in baseball history, his contributions may not always be fully appreciated. His performance was exceptional and resilient, particularly given the era in which he played and the challenges he faced.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of professional baseball, Babe Ruth's 659 home runs with the New York Yankees stand as a remarkable and possibly unbreakable record. As free agency and changing lineups become more common, it highlights the difficulty in sustaining such an impressive home run record over an extended career with a single team.