STAT FACT

Tom Verducci

March 31, 1997

Last year Mark McGwire led the majors with 52 home runs, becoming the 30th player to lead the big leagues in dingers in two or more seasons. Nine years ago he blasted 49, tying Andre Dawson for the major league lead. Only four other players have led the majors in homers at least nine years after doing it the first time: Babe Ruth (1918 and '31), Hank Greenberg (1935 and '46), Willie Mays (1955 and '65) and Mike Schmidt (1974 and '83).