The Myth and Reality of 500-Foot Home Runs in Major League Baseball

The fabled 500-foot home run stands as a benchmark of both awe and skepticism. While there are documented instances of 500-foot home runs, the claims surrounding them are often exaggerated. The allure of the mythical milestone has captivated baseball fans for decades.

Real 500-Foot Home Runs: The Rare Few

Despite their rarity, 500-foot home runs do exist. Here are some of the most famous and well-documented examples:

Mickey Mantle 1953 Griffith Stadium

Mantle's 1953 blast is perhaps the most famous 500-foot home run. It was estimated to have traveled 565 feet, leaving Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. Although some debate exists over the exact distance, Mantle's raw power was undeniable, and the home run remains one of the longest in MLB history.

Dave Kingman 1979 Wrigley Field

Kingman's legendary home run at Wrigley Field on May 17, 1979, has been estimated at around 530 feet. With a 28 mph wind blowing out and a wild 23-22 Phillies win, the longest of Kingman's three-homer day sailed out of Wrigley and landed on a porch on Kenmore Avenue. While this is regarded as the longest home run ever hit at Wrigley, the exact distance remains a topic of debate.

José Canseco 1989 SkyDome (now Rogers Centre)

Canseco's home run in the SkyDome, now Rogers Centre, is estimated to have traveled 540 feet in an ALCS game. Even if it didn't travel the estimated distance, it is almost surely the longest ever hit in a postseason game. The ball hit the far upper deck of the stadium.

Mark McGwire 1997 Kingdome

Not to be outdone by his "Bash Brother," McGwire's towering shot off Randy Johnson in Seattle's Kingdome is estimated to have traveled 538 feet. McGwire, known for his prodigious power, launched the ball into the upper deck of the Kingdome, leaving both fans and players in awe. The sheer power of this home run, combined with Johnson's dominant fastball, makes it one of the most memorable long balls in MLB history.

Sammy Sosa 2003 Wrigley Field

Sosa's home run during the 2003 season at Wrigley Field is famous for clearing the stadium and landing over a rooftop on Waveland Avenue. While the exact distance isn't confirmed, it is often cited as one of the longest home runs ever hit at Wrigley. Though its unclear how far it really went, Glenallen Hill's home run a few years earlier was measured at 490 to 495 feet, so Sosa's roof-clearing shot was at least 520 feet if not more.

The Legends That Don't Hold Up

Not every 500-foot home run claim withstands scrutiny. Throughout baseball history, some home runs have been exaggerated either through faulty estimates or the natural inclination to mythologize towering shots. Here are some examples where reality may not match the legend:

Babe Ruth 1921 Polo Grounds

Ruth's home run at the Polo Grounds in 1921 is often claimed to have traveled 575 feet. While Ruth was undoubtedly a power hitter, this distance seems improbable given the technology and methods available at the time for measuring home runs. Many believe this figure to be an exaggeration.

Ted Williams 1946 Fenway Park

Ted Williams is credited with hitting a 502-foot home run at Fenway Park in 1946. The ball struck a seat in the right-field bleachers, which is now painted red to commemorate the event. This remains one of the most famous and longest ever hit in Fenway's storied history. However, some modern analysts question whether the ball really traveled 502 feet, suggesting that the measurement might have been exaggerated due to the trajectory and angle at which it hit the seat.

Norm Cash 1962 Tiger Stadium

In 1962, Norm Cash reportedly hit a mammoth home run that is said to have traveled 560 feet at Tiger Stadium. The ball was hit so hard and far that it allegedly left the stadium entirely, clearing the right-field roof and landing far beyond the park. While it's possible that Cash's home run did clear the roof and travel a significant distance, the 560-foot figure may likely be an exaggeration. It's worth noting that Tiger Stadium's right-field roof, which Cash frequently targeted, was about 94 feet high. Hitting a ball over the roof required both tremendous power and the right trajectory.

Harmon Killebrew 1967 Metropolitan Stadium

Killebrew's home run at Metropolitan Stadium in 1967 is estimated to have traveled 520 feet. The ball landed in the upper deck, prompting the Twins to place a red chair in the spot where it hit. This shot is one of the most famous in Minnesota Twins history. While Killebrew's power was immense, most believe that the distance might have been overestimated due to the stadium's layout and the lack of precise measuring tools at the time.

Frank Howard 1967 RFK Stadium

Frank Howard's home run at RFK Stadium in 1967 was estimated to have traveled well over 500 feet. Known for his massive size and strength, Howard routinely hit long home runs, and this one is often cited as one of the longest ever hit at the stadium. As with many home runs from the pre-Statcast era, the precise distance is difficult to verify, and some believe it may have been slightly exaggerated.

Reggie Jackson 1971 Tiger Stadium

Jackson's home run in the 1971 All-Star Game is one of the most iconic in history, often cited as traveling 539 feet. While Jackson's shot did clear the stadium roof, modern estimates suggest the ball might not have traveled as far as initially reported due to the trajectory and wind conditions.

Bo Jackson 1986 Royals Stadium

Bo Jackson's legendary power was on full display in 1986 when he reportedly hit a 500-foot home run at Royals Stadium, now Kauffman Stadium. The ball was said to have cleared the left-field bleachers and traveled into the parking lot. While Jackson's strength is unquestioned, the exact distance of this home run is often debated, with most questioning whether it even reached 500 feet.

Glenallen Hill 2000 Wrigley Field

Hill's home run at Wrigley Field in 2000 is famous for clearing the rooftops on Waveland Avenue and landing on a building across the street. Hill's shot is one of the more impressive in Wrigley's history. The fact that it was perfectly placed in the bleacher seats on top of the roof adds to the impression that it may have seemed longer than it really was. Lack of precise measurement tools makes it difficult to confirm whether it truly reached 500 feet, with the true estimate being about 490-495 feet.

Adam Dunn 2004 Great American Ball Park

Dunn's home run was said to have traveled 535 feet. While this was undoubtedly a colossal hit, there is real doubt surrounding the accuracy of the measurement. The distance may have been inflated due to the ballpark's layout and the excitement surrounding the event.

Conclusion

The exaggeration of home run distances often stems from the lack of precise measurement tools in earlier eras and the inherent drama of the sport. Before modern technology, home run distances were often estimated based on where the ball landed, leading to overestimates. Additionally, fans and players alike enjoy the idea of a home run that stretches the limits of possibility.

With the advent of Statcast in 2015, home run distances can be measured more accurately. Statcast uses a combination of radar and optical tracking to calculate precise distances, making exaggerated claims harder to sustain. As a result, modern-day 500-foot home runs, like those hit by Nomar Mazara, are far more reliable in their measurements.