Home Run Kings: Ranking the 30 Best in MLB History

There are a lot of reasons to enjoy watching a baseball game, but the most exciting moments often center around a grand slam. There’s just something infinitely impressive about whacking a high-speed ball that perfectly. These 30 players are the greatest home run hitters in the history of the sport.

Fred McGriff, 493

Fred McGriff, “The Crime Dog,” was a consistent source of power throughout his career, finishing with 493 home runs. McGriff’s smooth swing and disciplined approach made him one of the best power hitters of the 1990s.

Lou Gehrig, 493

The “Iron Horse” finished with 493 home runs, a number that would have been far higher if not for his tragic battle with ALS. Lou Gehrig was known for his consistency, power, and clutch hitting for the Yankees.

Eddie Murray, 504

Eddie Murray’s switch-hitting ability helped him to become one of the most consistent power hitters in the game. He finished his career with 504 home runs and is one of only a few players to combine 500 homers and 3,000 hits.

Gary Sheffield, 509

Known for his quick wrists and explosive bat speed, Gary Sheffield hit 509 home runs during his career. Not to mention, Sheffield was a key contributor to multiple teams over his 22-seasons.

Miguel Cabrera, 511

A two-time MVP and Triple Crown winner, Miguel Cabrera’s sweet swing has propelled him into the ranks of all-time greats. Cabrera has 511 career home runs, cementing his legacy as one of the best hitters of his generation.

Mel Ott, 511

Mel Ott was one of the premier sluggers of the pre-integration era, finishing his impressive career with 511 home runs. In fact, it was his compact swing that helped him dominate pitchers, particularly at the Polo Grounds.

Eddie Mathews, 512

Eddie Mathews was the only player to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, and his 512 home runs stood as a testament to his power and consistency over 17 seasons.

Ernie Banks, 512

Ernie Banks, also known as “Mr. Cub,” was not only known for his infectious love of the game, but also for his power-hitting ability. In fact, he hit 512 career home runs, primarily as a shortstop, and became a Chicago legend.

Willie McCovey, 521

Willie McCovey’s 521 career home runs were a product of his imposing size and immense power. In fact, McCovey terrorized pitchers for two decades, earning a reputation as one of the game’s best left-handed hitters.

Frank Thomas, 521

Frank Thomas, aka “The Big Hurt,” was one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s, combining power and on-base ability. He hit 521 home runs and earned two MVP awards in his career.

Ted Williams, 521

Widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game, Ted Williams hit 521 home runs despite missing nearly five full seasons due to military service. How impressive is that?! It’s safe to say his exceptional plate discipline and power made him a formidable threat.

Jimmie Foxx, 534

A two-time MVP, Jimmie Foxx was one of the premier power hitters of his era. In fact, Foxx hit 534 home runs in a career that included nine seasons with 30 or more homers.

Mickey Mantle, 536

One of the most gifted athletes in baseball history, Mickey Mantle hit 536 home runs despite battling injuries for much of his career. Plus, Mantle’s switch-hitting ability and raw power made him a legend in New York.

David Ortiz, 541

“Big Papi” was a Boston Red Sox legend, famous for his clutch home runs in the postseason. David Ortiz hit 541 home runs in his career and became a central figure in the Red Sox’s resurgence in the 2000s. He will forever be an icon of Boston sports.

Mike Schmidt, 548

One of the greatest third basemen in baseball history, Mike Schmidt hit 548 home runs while playing in an era less conducive to big power numbers. Not to mention, Schmidt’s balance of power and defense earned him three MVP awards.

Manny Ramirez, 555

With one of the most iconic swings in baseball, Manny Ramirez hit 555 home runs during his career. A dynamic presence at the plate, Ramirez was a dominant force for the Boston Red Sox during their championship runs.

Reggie Jackson, 563

Reggie Jackson, aka “Mr. October,” was known for his clutch home runs in the postseason. But, it’s safe to say his 563 career home runs are equally impressive. In fact, Jackson’s flair for drama and power made him a household name

Rafael Palmeiro, 56

With 569 home runs, Rafael Palmeiro’s career was marked by power and consistency. Despite the controversy surrounding his later years, his ability to hit for power over two decades remains undeniable.

Harmon Killebrew, 573

One of the most feared power hitters of the 1960s and early 1970s, Harmon Killebrew slugged a very impressive 573 career home runs. Not to mention, Killebrew was a model of consistency, reaching the 40-home run mark eight times.

Mark McGwire, 583

Mark McGwire, who was often referred to as “Big Mac,” was known for his tape-measure shots and his role in bringing fans back to baseball during the 1990s. Despite using performance-enhancing drugs, McGwire hit 583 home runs throughout his career, including a then-record 70 in the 1998 season.

Frank Robinson, 586

Many fans know that Frank Robinson was the only player to ever be awarded the MVP accolade in both the National and American Leagues, but fewer can tell you that his impressive 586 career home runs make him the tenth-highest overall slugger in MLB history! The Judge played with quite a few teams in his career, including the Reds and the Orioles.

Sammy Sosa, 609

Dominican-born right fielder Sammy Sosa is best known for his time with the Cubs, the team he was with when he reached his 400^th career homer in his 1,354^th game. He was the first player to reach 400 in such a short time, and would end his career with 609 homers total, making him the ninth-best home run hitter of all time.

Jim Thome, 612

The eighth-best home run hitter in history is Jim Thome, who slugged 612 out of the park while playing for numerous teams. He started his career with Cleveland before bouncing to the Phillies, the White Sox, the Dodgers, the Twins, and finally the Orioles. His pure power approach and gregarious personality both made him very popular with baseball fans during his 22-year career.

Ken Griffey Jr., 630

The iconic Ken Griffey Jr. is the seventh-highest home run hitting player in MLB history. While he’s often underrated due to the Mariners never making their way to the World Series during his dominant period with them in the 90s, his stats speak for themselves. He hit a titanic 630 homers in his career, which speaks to his unmistakable talent.

Willie Mays, 660

Reliable all-rounder Willie Mays impressed fans with his talents in multiple roles. He hit 20 home runs in just his rookie year, catapulting the Giants to their first pennant in 14 years. Across his illustrious career, he played for the Giants and the Mets and put up 660 career homers.

Alex Rodriguez, 696

Say what you want about A-Rod, the third baseman could hit. His period of dominance with the Yankees wasn’t without controversy, of course, with his sub-.200 batting average in the 2005 and 2006 postseasons drawing criticism from New York fans. Notably, his performance improved dramatically in the 2009 postseason, endearing him to fans. His 696 lifetime home runs are also quite impressive!

Albert Pujols, 703

A lot of younger baseball fans assume that Albert Pujols’ first name is actually “The Great,” because that’s the only way he’s introduced these days. His 703 career home runs are only a shade off Babe Ruth’s number and put him in the conversation for being one of the greatest power hitters of all time.

Babe Ruth, 714

What is there to say about Babe Ruth that hasn’t already been said? He was the best, full stop. While others have exceeded his 714 home runs, the two who did so notably played a version of the game the Babe helped to create in his own time. Ruth introduced the modern, power-focused era of baseball and will always be remembered for his contributions to the sport.

Hank Aaron, 755

When Hank Aaron slugged his 715^th homer out of the park, it was an electric moment for Braves fans. When he wrapped up his career at 755 total home runs, the number was seared into the minds of baseball fanatics everywhere. Perplexingly, few can tell you off the cuff how many home runs Barry Bonds hit.

Barry Bonds, 762

And there’s a reason that people feel a bit conflicted about Bonds. While he slugged the best home run total in the history of the game at 762, a lot of fans say his achievement should be discounted because he may have done so with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs. Still, his numbers are absurd, even without the specter of possible steroid use. He’s the only member of the 500-500 club, he’s the lifetime leader in walks and intentional walks, and he led all active players in RBIs at the time of his retirement.