Home runs drop to 15-year low
NEW YORK – Home runs in the major leagues dropped this year to their lowest level since 1993, and Angels center fielder Torii Hunter thinks he might know why.
“I think the steroid testing has something to do with it,” he said. “If there were any guys who were taking it, they’re not taking it anymore. I’d say it’s a small percentage, but of course it’s going to have an impact.”
An average of 2.01 home runs per game were hit this year, down from 2.04 in 2007. The average hadn’t dropped that low since 15 years ago, when it stood at 1.78, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The home run high of 2.34 was set in 2000, and the average stood at 2.14 in 2003, the last season before drug testing with penalties began.
Miguel Cabrera topped the American League with 37 homers, the fewest for any league champion since Fred McGriff hit 35 for San Diego to win the 1992 N.L. title. It was the lowest total for an A.L. champ since McGriff had 36 for Toronto in 1989.
The average was virtually the same in both leagues, but the power drop wasn’t as evident among the N.L. leaders. Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard hit 48 homers and topped the majors for the second time in three seasons.
With 118 runs, Boston’s Dustin Pedroia had the lowest total for an A.L. leader in a non-shortened season since Detroit’s Tony Phillips (114) in 1992. Alex Rodriguez’s .573 slugging percentage was the lowest for an A.L. leader since Ruben Sierra’s .543 for Texas in 1989 and Josh Hamilton’s 331 total bases were the fewest to top the A.L. in a non-shortened season since Kirby Puckett’s 313 for Minnesota in 1992.
Hamilton had 130 RBIs, one more than Minnesota’s Justin Morneau, who could overtake him if the Twins have a tiebreaker game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
In the N.L., Howard led with 146 RBIs and St. Louis’ Albert Pujols had the highest slugging percentage at .653.
Atlanta’s Chipper Jones won his first N.L. batting title with a career-high .364 average. Pujols finished second at .357.
Jones just missed Mickey Mantle’s season record for a switch hitter (.365 in 1957).
Minnesota’s Joe Mauer pretty much wrapped up the A.L. batting title at .330, with Pedroia second at .326.