The Bronx Bombers lived up to their moniker. On the penultimate day of the regular season, the New York Yankees hit their 265th home run to break a major league baseball record for most home runs in a season. The 1997 Seattle Mariners previously held the record for 21 years with 264 home runs.
Rookie infielder Gleyber Torres broke the record with a 4th inning home run against the Boston Red Sox. Torres’ shot marked the 265th home run of the season by the Yankees. Outfielder/DH Giancarlo Stanton added another home run late in the game to bring the season tally to 266.
The Yankees have one more game remaining in the regular season.
Distribution of Power
In Friday’s 11-6 victory over the Red Sox, the Yankees smashed four home runs to tie the 1997 Seattle Mariners’ record with 264 home runs. The 1997 Mariners were led by Ken Griffey Jr.’s 56 homeruns, while Jay Buhner added 40.
The 2018 Yankees set a new record without a single player hitting more than 40 home runs. Former Home Run Derby champion Giancarlo Stanton topped the Yankees with 38 home runs this year.
“When you look back, though, it’s the way in which we’ve done it,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “The amount of people that maybe you didn’t expect to contribute as many home runs as they have, that’s been special. So many guys have had a significant hand in breaking that record.”
It was truly a team effort in the Bronx. Six Yankees hit at least 20 home runs (Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius, Aaron Hicks, and Gleyber Torres), while 12 Yankees smashed at least 10 home runs. The Yankees also set another MLB record with most double-digit home runs in a season.
Team to Remember
The 2018 Yankees came into the season with high expectations, and set the MLB record despite injuries to two of their biggest home run hitters. Right fielder Aaron Judge (27 home runs) and catcher Gary Sanchez (18 home runs) both missed approximately two months of the season when they spent time on the disabled list.
The Yankees also set a new record for becoming the first team to hit at least 20 home runs from all nine spots in the lineup. Torres’ record-setting home run was the 20th home run from the 9th spot in the batting order.
It’s the Baby Bombers who led the team to 100 wins and a Wild Card berth this season. Much of the Yankees’ success can be attributed to a collection of phenomenal rookie talent that includes Torres, Miguel Andujar, and Luke Voit.
Andujar is the leading Rookie of the Year candidate in the American League. Andujar, a 23-year old third baseman from the Dominican Republic, leads all rookies in hits, doubles, and home runs. Andujar is tied for second-most homers on the Yankees with 27.
Most Home Runs in a Season
266* – New York Yankees, 2018
264 – Seattle Mariners, 1997
260 – Texas Rangers, 2005
257 – Toronto Blue Jays, 2010
257 – Baltimore Orioles, 1996* through 161 games
Torres, a 21-year old rookie infielder, hit 24 home runs this season, despite missing a month to an injury.
Luke Voit joined the Yankees in late summer after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade. The rookie first baseman hit 17 home runs in only 38 games of action.
The Yankees will host the AL Wild Card game at home against the Oakland A’s on Wednesday.