Now that Pete Alonso has joined what used to be the very exclusive 50 home run club, let’s take a look at the history of that club, and how the steroid era ruined it.
Here is the chronological list of the 46 50 or more home run seasons (achieved by 30 players):
POST-DEAD BALL ERA (1919-1989)
1920 Babe Ruth 54
1921 Babe Ruth 59
1927 Babe Ruth 60
1928 Babe Ruth 54
1930 Hack Wilson 56
1932 Jimmie Foxx 58
1938 Jimmie Foxx 50
1938 Hank Greenberg 58
1947 Johnny Mize 51
1947 Ralph Kiner 51
1949 Ralph Kiner 54
1955 Willie Mays 51
1956 Mickey Mantle 52
1961 Mickey Mantle 54
1961 Roger Maris 61
1965 Willie Mays 52
1977 George Foster 52
STEROID ERA (1990-2003)
1990 Cecil Fielder 51
1995 Albert Belle 50
1996 Brady Anderson 50
1996 Mark McGwire 52
1997 Ken Griffey Jr.