The Chicago Cubs franchise began as the Chicago White Stockings in 1876. The team became the Chicago Colts in 1890, the Chicago Orphans in 1898, and the Chicago Cubs in 1903.
These are the ten players who have hit the most home runs in a season for the Chicago Cubs. On paper, the Cubs have some of the greatest home run seasons in baseball history, as three times a Cubs player hit over 60 home runs in a season.
Unfortunately, the player who three times hit over 60 home runs in a season for the Cubs was one of the greatest cheats in baseball history. Sammy Sosa not only tested positive for PEDs in his career, he was also suspended for using a corked bat.
Regardless of that, or maybe because of it, this is still a fascinating list of players. Home run hitters and Wrigley Field go together like teenagers and chewing gum.
Chicago Cubs players who hit the most home runs in a season
1. Sammy Sosa (1998) - 66
Sammy Sosa holds the record for the most home runs in a season for the Chicago Cubs with 66. Sosa hit 66 home runs during the 1998 season, but, amazingly, that total did not lead the league. Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs in 1998.
2. Sammy Sosa (2001) - 64
Sammy Sosa hit 64 home runs in 2001, and, once again, did not lead the league. Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs that season.
3. Sammy Sosa (1999) - 63
Sammy Sosa hit over 60 home runs in a season three times in his career, and in none of those seasons did he lead the league. When Sosa hit 63 home runs in 1999, the league leader was Mark McGwire with 65.
4. Hack Wilson (1930) - 56
Hack Wilson hit 56 home runs for the Chicago Cubs in 1930, the same season he set the all-time record for RBIs in a season with 190. Though he only hit 244 career home runs, Hack Wilson is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He did lead the league four times in home runs in his career, including the 56 in 1930.
5. Sammy Sosa (2000) - 50
Sammy Sosa sandwiched a 50 home run season in 2000 for the Cubs around his three 60 plus home run seasons. Ironically, the 50 home runs by Sammy Sosa did lead the league in 2000.
T-6. Andre Dawson (1987) - 49
Andre Dawson led the National League in home runs in 1987 with 49, the sixth most home runs by a Chicago Cubs player in a season. Dawson also led the NL in RBIs (137) in 1987, and he was named NL MVP. Andre Dawson was inducted into Cooperstown in 2010.
T-6. Sammy Sosa (2002) - 49
Sammy Sosa again led the league in home runs in 2002 with 49. So he hit 60 plus home runs three times, but only led the league in home runs when he hit 50 in 2000, and 49 in 2002.
8. Dave Kingman (1979) - 48
Dave Kingman hit the eighth most home runs in a season for the Chicago Cubs when he bashed 48 home runs 1979. That was a career best for a season for Kingman, and also led the National League.
Had he been able to stay healthy, Dave Kingman would easily have hit 500 career home runs, and maybe 600. Kingman played in the majors for 16 years, hitting 443 career home runs, but he only averaged 121 games per season.
Had Dave Kingman played in 20 more games per year, he would have hit another 75 plus home runs. Had Kingman played in 40 more games per season, he would have had around 150 more home runs, which would have gotten him close to 600.
9. Ernie Banks (1958) - 47
The great Ernie Banks hit a league leading 47 home runs for the Chicago Cubs in 1958. Banks was the MVP that season. Ernie was the Cubs shortstop in 1958, but for his career, he actually played more games at first base (1,259) than he did at shartstop (1,125).
10. Derrek Lee (2005) - 46
Derrek Lee hit 46 home runs for the Cubs in 2005, when Lee easily had the best season of his career. Derrek Lee won the batting title in 2005 (.335), and he also led the league in hits (199), doubles (50), SLG (.662), and OPS (1.080).
Comments