Alex Rodriguez has already hit more home runs than Lou Gehrig and may break Barry's career record for home runs, but it would be silly to think that Alex is greater.
Sometimes players from different eras can be compared accurately because they played in similar eras. Lou Gehrig and Alex Rodriguez played when offense was dominant. Gehrig played fourteen full seasons – 1925-1938, while Alex, whose first full season was 1996, has completed his twelfth full year. Rodriguez has already hit more home runs than Gehrig and may break Barry’s career record for home runs, but it would be silly to think that Alex was a greater player.
Best Home Run Season
Gehrig hit 493 career home runs, with a single season high of 49, while Alex has hit 518 home runs, with a single season high of 57. When Gehrig hit his 49 home runs in 1934, Jimmy Foxx was the only other American League player to hit over 40 home runs. Mel Ott and Ripper Collins tied for the National League lead with 35 each.
Alex Rodriguez hit 57 home runs in 2002, but more than one American Leaguer hit at least 40 that season. Jim Thome had 52, Rafael Palmeiro hit 43, and Jason Giambi hit 41, while Sammy Sosa led the senior circuit with 49, followed by Barry’s 46, and Lance Berkman’s and Shawn Green’s 42. Suffice it to say that Jimmy Foxx, Mel Ott, and Ripper Collins had fewer clouds over their heads than Raffy, the Giambino, Sammy, and Barry. Regardless, home runs were not as commonplace during Lou Gehrig’s era. Lou’s home run ratio was 1 home run every 16.20 at bats. Alex’s is 1 home run every 14.20 at bats.
Where Gehrig and A-Rod Played
The left hand hitting Gehrig played his entire career with the Yankees, which meant that his home park, which was only 344 to right field and 295 feet down the line, gave him a friendly target, but the distance to deep right center field was 429 feet. Righty Alex has played in Seattle’s Kingdome, Safeco Field, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and the new Yankee Stadium, which has become the old Yankee Stadium. Safeco Field is a not a launching pad for home runs, but the Kingdome and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington are hitter-friendly. Yankee Stadium, after its renovation was completed in 1976, made it easier for right handed hitters to hit home runs, but it is not hitter-friendly for right handers. It is reasonable to conclude that Rodriguez was greater home run threat than Gehrig.
There is More to Winning Than Home Runs
But as Alex knows, there is more to winning than home runs. Gehrig hit .340 with a .447 on base average. Alex has hit .306 with a .389 on base average. Gehrig’s American League batted .286 and had a .356 on base average. Alex’s American League hit .272 and had a .341 on base average. Huge edge to Gehrig.
More Revealing Statistics
- Gehrig had a .632 slugging average compared to the league’s .413. Rodriguez has slugged .578 compared to the league’s .434. Huge edge to Gehrig.
- Gehrig averaged 149 RBIs a season with a high of 184, which is still the league record. He had over 100 RBIs for 13 consecutive seasons. Rodriguez has averaged 128 RBIs a season with a high of 156. He has over 100 RBIs in 11 seasons. Edge to Gehrig.
- Gehrig averaged 113 walks and 59 strikeouts. Rodriguez has averaged 78 walks and 130 strikeouts. Anybody have a runner on third and one out? Huge edge to Gehrig.
- Gehrig hit 534 doubles and 163 triples. Rodriguez has hit 395 doubles and only 26 triples. Huge edge to Gehrig.
- Gehrig stole a total of 102 bases and was thrown out 101 times. Rodriguez has 265 steals with only 64 caught stealing. Huge edge to Alex.
- Finally, an amazing statistic. Gehrig had 9660 plate appearances and made 5489 outs. Rodriguez has 8482 plate appearances and has made 5427 outs. Alex has made almost as many outs as Gehrig in almost 1200 fewer plate appearances. Huge edge Gehrig.
So what is the verdict? Don’t be silly.
