Caution: Falling Records Ahead The way batters are muscling up, this could be a record-breaking year for major league records. Here are the players we think may set marks and the odds on their doing so
HITTING
HOME RUNS
61
Roger Maris, Yankees, 1961
Most likely to break it
Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 3 to 1
Mark McGwire, Cardinals, 4 to 1
Juan Gonzalez, Rangers, 10 to 1
Albert Belle, White Sox, 20 to 1
RUNS, TEAM
1,067
Yankees, 1931
Most likely to break it
Mariners, 10 to 1
Yankees, 25 to 1
Rockies, 25 to 1
HOME RUNS, TEAM
264
Mariners, 1997
Most likely to break it
Mariners, 6 to 5
HOME RUNS, ONE MONTH
18
Rudy York, Tigers, August 1937
Most likely to break it
Juan Gonzalez, Rangers, 10 to 1
Mark McGwire, Cardinals, 12 to 1
Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 15 to 1
HOME RUNS BY A SHORTSTOP
47
Ernie Banks, Cubs, 1958
Most likely to break it
Alex Rodriguez, Mariners, 50 to 1
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox, 100 to 1
CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, 400 TOTAL BASES
2
Lou Gehrig, Yankees, 1930-31
Jimmie Foxx, Athletics, 1932-33
Chuck Klein, Phillies, 1929-30
Most likely to tie it
Larry Walker, Rockies, 5 to 1
HOME RUNS, CONSECUTIVE SEASONS
114
Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1927-28
Most likely to break it
Mark McGwire, Cardinals, 6 to 5
Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 7 to 5
HITS, TEAM
1,783
Phillies, 1930
Most likely to break it
Red Sox, 10 to 1
Yankees, 30 to 1
Rockies, 50 to 1
HITS
257
Dick Sisler, Cardinals, 1920
Most likely to break it
Tony Gwynn, Padres, 50 to 1
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox, 100 to 1
CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, 100 OR MORE BASES ON BALLS
7
Mel Ott, Giants, 1936-42
Frank Thomas, White Sox, 1991-97
Most likely to break it
Thomas, 1 to 10
EXTRA-BASE HITS
119
Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1921
Most likely to break it
Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, 90 to 1
Larry Walker, Rockies, 100 to 1
DOUBLES, TEAM
373
Cardinals, 1930
Red Sox, 1997
Most likely to break it
Red Sox, 6 to 5
CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, 50 OR MORE HOME RUNS
2
Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1920-21
Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1927-28
Mark McGwire, A's-Cardinals, 1996-97
Most likely to break it
McGwire, 6 to 5
TOTAL BASES, TEAM
2,741
Mariners, 1996
Most likely to break it
Mariners, 4 to 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE BATTING TITLES
8
Honus Wagner, Pirates
Tony Gwynn, Padres
Most likely to break it
Gwynn, 2 to 5
BASES ON BALLS
170
Babe Ruth, Yankees, 1923
Most likely to break it
Barry Bonds, Giants, 25 to 1
PITCHING
MOST HOME RUNS ALLOWED, TEAM
241
Tigers, 1996
Most likely to break it
Devil Rays, 8 to 1
MOST STRIKEOUTS, TEAM
1,245
Braves, 1996
Most likely to break it
Dodgers, 4 to 5
Yankees, 7 to 1
WORST ERA, LEAGUE
5.04
American, 1936
Most likely to break it
American, 3 to 1
All records are for a single season unless indicated
