Player-Seasonal Notation, 1946-2005
Last time, we used Player-Seasonal Notation as a means of illustrating the dramatic changes in run production conditions in major league baseball through the Second World War. Now, we take a look at what’s happened up to the present day.
Era 11, 1946-1954: The Postwar Home Run Derby
Following the war, with both leagues standardized on a lively ball. The trends that had appeared in the late 1930s and early 1940s – declining batting average, increasing home runs and strikeouts — reasserted themselves, in both leagues.
National League 1946-1954 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1953 Dodgers 597 106 170 30 7 23 99 73 76 10 5 .285 .362 .474 .836 1949 Dodgers 600 98 164 26 5 17 91 71 63 13 ? .274 .350 .419 .769 1950 Dodgers 596 94 162 27 5 22 86 67 70 9 ? .272 .346 .444 .790 1946-54 Average 588 77 154 25 5 13 ? 61 67 5 ? .261 .330 .389 .719 1952 Pirates 577 57 133 20 3 10 53 54 80 5 5 .231 .297 .331 .628 1946 Reds 588 58 140 23 4 7 53 55 67 9 ? .239 .303 .327 .630 1946 Pirates 578 61 144 22 6 7 56 66 62 5 ? .250 .327 .344 .671 American League 1946-1954 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1950 Red Sox 613 114 185 32 7 18 108 80 65 4 2 .302 .382 .464 .846 1950 Yankees 596 102 168 26 8 18 96 76 51 5 3 .282 .363 .441 .804 1948 Red Sox 596 101 163 31 4 13 95 91 61 4 2 .274 .371 .409 .780 1946-54 Average 586 77 153 25 5 11 ? 68 66 5 4 .261 .337 .377 .714 1954 Orioles 578 54 145 22 5 6 50 52 70 3 3 .251 .313 .338 .651 1947 Senators 568 55 137 21 5 5 51 58 59 6 6 .241 .312 .321 .633 1946 A's 578 59 146 24 6 4 54 54 66 4 3 .253 .317 .338 .655
Though the two leagues scored at equal rates, the distinctly different cultural character between them was clearly evident, with AL batters continuing to draw significantly more walks (as we explored here). In both leagues, the stolen base reached its nadir in this period.
Era 12, 1955-1962: The Rise of the Strikeout
With franchise shifts and expansion dramatically altering the scope of the sport, the prevailing trends in style of play only intensified. Home runs continued to fly at ever-greater rates, as batting averages dwindled. Strikeouts spiraled upward, dwarfing all previous rates.
One longstanding trend was reversed, as stolen bases, which had been declining since 1920, finally revived a bit.
National League 1955-1962 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1955 Dodgers 577 95 156 26 5 22 89 75 80 9 6 .271 .355 .448 .803 1962 Giants 621 98 172 26 4 23 90 58 91 8 6 .278 .340 .441 .781 1962 Dodgers 625 94 168 21 7 16 87 64 98 22 5 .268 .336 .400 .736 1955-62 Average 590 76 153 24 5 16 ? 56 88 6 4 .259 .324 .400 .724 1956 Giants 577 60 141 21 5 16 55 45 73 7 4 .244 .299 .382 .681 1960 Phillies 574 61 137 22 5 11 56 50 117 5 5 .239 .300 .351 .651 1962 Colt .45s 618 66 152 19 5 12 61 55 90 5 3 .246 .308 .351 .659 American League 1955-1962 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1956 Yankees 590 95 159 21 6 21 88 68 84 6 4 .270 .346 .434 .780 1961 Tigers 618 93 165 24 6 20 87 75 96 11 4 .266 .346 .421 .767 1956 Tigers 596 88 166 23 6 17 83 72 69 5 3 .279 .356 .420 .776 1955-62 Average 589 76 151 23 4 15 ? 63 84 5 4 .256 .327 .388 .715 1958 Orioles 568 58 137 22 2 12 55 54 81 4 4 .241 .307 .350 .657 1955 Orioles 584 60 140 20 4 6 56 62 82 4 5 .240 .313 .320 .633 1959 Orioles 579 61 138 20 3 12 57 60 77 4 3 .238 .309 .345 .654
The Baltimore Orioles of this period were a very interesting team. They played in a poor hitters’ park, and under manager Paul Richards, they compounded the effect by stressing pitching and defense over batting prowess. The result was, obviously, a consistently very-low-scoring lineup. But the team was nevertheless steadily improving, transforming itself from its former St. Louis Browns doormat status into a contender by 1960, and Richards, who had already been instrumental in turning the Chicago White Sox franchise around, earned tremendous respect.
Era 13, 1963-1968: The Swinging (and Missing) Sixties
In a monumentally ill-conceived action, the strike zone was expanded in 1963 (a circumstance we examined here and here). Strikeouts climbed beyond even their previous record-setting levels, walks plummeted, and hitting and scoring declined, eventually sinking to pre-1920 levels.
National League 1963-1968 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1965 Reds 629 92 172 30 7 20 86 60 111 9 4 .273 .336 .439 .775 1964 Braves 621 89 169 30 4 18 84 54 92 6 5 .272 .330 .418 .748 1966 Braves 624 87 164 24 4 23 82 57 101 7 5 .263 .324 .424 .748 1963-68 Average 613 70 153 23 5 13 ? 50 105 8 5 .249 .306 .367 .673 1963 Colt .45s 598 52 132 19 4 7 47 51 104 4 3 .220 .281 .301 .582 1968 Dodgers 595 52 137 22 4 7 48 49 109 6 5 .230 .289 .319 .608 1968 Mets 611 53 139 20 3 9 48 42 134 8 5 .228 .277 .315 .592 American League 1963-1968 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1965 Twins 610 86 155 29 5 17 79 62 108 10 4 .254 .323 .399 .722 1963 Twins 615 85 156 25 4 25 80 61 101 4 2 .255 .322 .430 .752 1966 Orioles 614 84 158 27 4 19 78 57 103 6 5 .258 .321 .409 .730 1963-68 Average 605 69 145 22 4 15 ? 56 107 7 4 .240 .305 .365 .670 1968 White Sox 601 51 137 19 4 8 48 44 93 10 6 .228 .281 .311 .592 1968 Angels 592 55 134 19 4 9 50 50 120 7 6 .227 .287 .318 .605 1967 Yankees 605 58 136 18 2 11 53 59 116 7 4 .225 .294 .317 .611
The differing character between the leagues remained as dramatic as ever, despite the fact that the two leagues scored at just about exactly the same rate overall. They manufactured their meager stock of runs in distinctly different ways: the average NL batter hit .249 while his AL counterpart hit just .240, with the American Leaguer producing fewer doubles, fewer triples, more homers, and over 10% more bases on balls.
In major league history, the place in which one was least likely to witness a single was the American League of 1963 through 1968.
Era 14, 1969-1976: The Bumptious Seventies
In the wake of the extremely low-scoring 1968, the strike zone in 1969 was returned to its pre-1963 dimensions, and the pitchers’ mound was lowered. Scoring revived, though not dramatically, as the other factors contributing to the long-term decline remained: new parks that consistently favored pitchers, ever-more night games, and ever-more sophisticated use of bullpens. In desperation, in 1973 the AL invoked the Designated Hitter.
National League 1969-1976 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1976 Reds 634 95 178 30 7 16 89 76 100 23 6 .280 .357 .424 .781 1975 Reds 620 93 168 31 4 14 87 77 102 19 4 .271 .352 .401 .753 1970 Giants 620 92 162 29 4 18 86 81 112 9 3 .262 .347 .409 .756 1969-76 Average 609 74 155 24 4 13 ? 60 97 10 6 .255 .321 .373 .695 1969 Padres 595 52 134 20 5 11 48 47 127 5 5 .225 .281 .329 .610 1971 Padres 596 54 139 20 3 11 50 49 107 8 5 .233 .291 .332 .623 1972 Padres 579 54 131 19 4 11 50 45 108 9 5 .227 .283 .332 .615 American League 1969-1976 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1975 Red Sox 605 88 167 32 5 15 84 63 82 7 6 .275 .343 .417 .760 1970 Orioles 616 88 158 24 3 20 83 80 106 9 4 .257 .342 .401 .743 1969 Twins 631 88 169 27 4 18 81 67 101 13 8 .268 .338 .408 .746 1969-76 Average 604 73 153 24 4 14 ? 60 93 10 6 .253 .320 .372 .693 1972 Angels 574 50 139 19 3 9 47 40 94 6 4 .242 .291 .330 .621 1972 Rangers 559 51 121 18 2 6 47 56 103 14 8 .217 .288 .290 .578 1972 Indians 579 52 136 21 2 10 49 47 85 5 6 .234 .291 .330 .621
The DH certainly helped. But most significantly, in both leagues, the nature of offense changed, as for the first time in decades, strikeouts declined. Batting averages were up a bit, home runs down a bit (especially with a distinctly less lively Haiti-produced baseball in 1974 through 1976), and stolen bases strongly on the rise.
Era 15, 1977-1984: The Golden Mean
In 1977, with expansion and with a renewed liveliness to the ball, hitters enjoyed the highest home run rate since 1962, and the highest scoring rate since 1961. But base stealing rates continued to grow. MLB entered a period of exceptional balance: while home runs and stolen bases thrived, hitters didn’t dominate, as many historically outstanding pitching performances were achieved as well. Scoring stabilized at rates very close to the historical mean.
National League 1977-1984 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1977 Phillies 616 94 172 30 6 21 88 64 90 15 8 .279 .347 .448 .795 1977 Reds 614 89 168 30 5 20 83 67 101 19 7 .274 .345 .436 .781 1979 Pirates 629 86 171 29 6 16 79 54 95 20 7 .272 .329 .416 .745 1977-84 Average 585 71 151 25 4 12 ? 55 91 15 7 .257 .321 .376 .698 1982 Reds 609 61 153 25 4 9 55 52 91 15 8 .251 .310 .350 .660 1982 Astros 604 63 149 26 5 8 59 48 92 16 7 .247 .302 .349 .651 1980 Giants 596 64 146 22 5 9 60 57 93 11 6 .244 .310 .342 .652 American League 1977-1984 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1982 Brewers 637 99 178 31 5 24 94 54 79 9 6 .279 .335 .455 .790 1977 Twins 627 96 176 30 7 14 89 63 84 12 7 .282 .347 .417 .764 1979 Angels 617 96 174 27 5 18 90 65 94 11 6 .282 .351 .429 .780 1977-84 Average 588 76 156 26 4 14 ? 55 82 11 6 .265 .327 .396 .724 1978 A's 591 59 145 22 3 11 55 48 89 16 13 .245 .302 .351 .653 1983 Mariners 593 62 142 27 3 12 60 51 93 16 9 .240 .300 .360 .660 1979 A's 594 64 142 21 4 12 60 54 83 12 8 .239 .302 .346 .648
All in all, it was a remarkable period. Within the span of 1977 through 1984, seasons of moderate scoring:
– A batter hit .390, and another hit .388.
– Two pitchers had more than 300 strikeouts.
– A batter hit over 50 home runs.
– Two pitchers won 25 games.
– A batter had 239 hits, the most since 1930.
– A pitcher threw 9 shutouts.
– A batter had 406 total bases, the most since 1948.
– A pitcher had a 342-inning season.
– A batter hit 54 doubles, the most since 1950.
– A pitcher had 28 complete games.
– A batter hit 20 triples, the most since 1957.
– Two pitchers had 90-game seasons.
– A baserunner stole 130 bases, the all-time record.
– Two pitchers had 45 saves.
Era 16, 1985-1987: A Hint of Things to Come
In 1985-86, in both leagues, walks suddenly increased significantly over early ’80s rates, and home runs and scoring ticked upward. The AL set a league home run rate record in ’85, and topped it in ’86. The NL in 1986 had its biggest scoring year since 1979, and biggest home run year since 1977. Then in 1987, both leagues spiked upward from the already-high 1986 rates.
National League 1985-1987 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1987 Mets 622 91 167 32 4 21 86 66 112 18 5 .268 .338 .434 .772 1987 Cardinals 611 89 161 28 5 10 83 72 104 28 8 .263 .341 .378 .719 1987 Reds 618 87 164 29 3 21 83 57 103 19 5 .266 .328 .427 .755 1985-87 Average 611 76 156 28 4 15 ? 60 105 16 7 .255 .322 .386 .708 1985 Giants 602 62 140 24 3 13 57 54 107 11 6 .233 .296 .348 .644 1985 Pirates 604 63 149 28 3 9 59 57 94 12 7 .247 .312 .347 .659 1986 Cardinals 598 67 141 24 5 6 61 63 101 29 9 .236 .309 .327 .636 American League 1985-1987 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1987 Tigers 628 100 171 30 4 25 93 73 101 12 6 .272 .347 .451 .798 1987 Brewers 625 96 172 30 5 18 92 66 116 20 8 .276 .345 .428 .773 1987 Blue Jays 626 94 168 31 4 24 88 62 108 14 6 .269 .334 .446 .780 1985-87 Average 615 84 161 28 4 19 ? 61 101 12 6 .263 .329 .413 .742 1985 Rangers 596 69 151 24 5 14 64 59 91 14 8 .253 .321 .381 .702 1986 White Sox 601 72 148 22 4 13 67 54 104 13 6 .247 .309 .363 .672 1986 Royals 618 73 156 29 5 15 69 53 102 11 5 .252 .311 .390 .701
It was a mode of baseball never quite seen before. Home runs, walks, strikeouts, and stolen bases were all at or near historical highs. There was rampant speculation that the ball had suddenly been “juiced” in 1987, but there’s little evidence to support that claim, especially in light of what quickly followed.
Era 17, 1988-1992: The Suspension of the Trend
In response to the record home run rates of 1987, and with a broader sense that umpires had been increasingly neglecting to enforce the rule book strike zone — the de facto strike zone had appeared to have moved low and outside — MLB instituted strict new requirements to call the high strike. The impacts were immediate and dramatic, though perhaps surprising: strikeouts didn’t increase, but walks declined, as did home runs and scoring.
National League 1988-1992 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1990 Mets 612 86 157 31 2 19 82 60 95 12 4 .256 .322 .408 .730 1991 Pirates 605 85 159 29 6 14 81 69 100 14 5 .263 .338 .398 .736 1991 Braves 606 83 156 28 3 16 78 63 101 18 8 .258 .327 .393 .720 1988-92 Average 608 72 152 27 4 13 ? 56 104 15 7 .250 .314 .370 .685 1992 Dodgers 596 61 148 22 4 8 55 56 100 16 9 .248 .313 .339 .652 1989 Dodgers 607 62 146 27 2 10 57 56 98 9 6 .240 .305 .339 .644 1988 Braves 604 62 147 25 3 11 59 48 94 11 8 .242 .298 .348 .646 American League 1988-1992 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1991 Rangers 634 92 171 32 3 20 86 66 115 11 6 .270 .339 .424 .763 1991 Tigers 616 91 152 29 3 23 86 78 132 12 5 .247 .332 .416 .748 1988 Red Sox 616 90 174 34 4 14 84 69 81 7 4 .283 .355 .420 .775 1988-92 Average 612 78 159 28 3 15 ? 60 99 12 6 .260 .326 .389 .714 1988 Orioles 595 61 142 22 2 15 57 56 97 8 5 .238 .303 .359 .662 1991 Indians 608 64 154 26 3 9 61 50 99 9 6 .254 .311 .350 .661 1992 Angels 596 64 145 22 2 10 60 46 98 18 11 .243 .298 .338 .636
Overall, the offensive profile was quite close to that of the early 1980s. The sudden 1985-87 ramp-up in power hitting had been thwarted, simply by enforcement of the rule-book strike zone. But clouds were gathering on the horizon.
Era 18, 1993-2000: The Perfect Storm
Beginning in 1993, a potent brew of conditions swirled together:
1. Expansions had always coincided with short-term spikes in scoring before, and two expansions were undertaken in a six-year span.
2. A wave of new hitter–friendly ballparks was introduced (including the hitter-friendliest location in major league history, Denver).
3. Batters avidly embraced weight-training (often likely steroid-enhanced) and were significantly stronger than ever before, buggy-whipping light, thin-handled bats, generating a commonplace demonstration of bat speed and opposite-field power never seen before.
4. Rules restricted pitchers’ capacity to pitch inside, and batters crowded the plate as never before, “diving in” to hit the outside pitch with power.
5. Increasingly willful and belligerent umpires relapsed in their willingness to call the high strike.
Many suspected that the ball was livelier than ever before as well, though this is far less clear. In any case, the result was a home run derby dwarfing all others, and despite record-high strikeout rates, scoring that approached the highest levels ever seen: the 2000 season, in fact, was the highest-scoring for the two leagues combined since 1930.
National League 1993-2000 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 2000 Rockies 629 108 185 36 6 18 101 67 101 15 7 .294 .362 .455 .817 1996 Rockies 621 107 179 33 4 25 101 59 123 22 7 .287 .349 .472 .821 2000 Astros 619 104 172 32 4 28 100 75 125 13 6 .278 .361 .477 .838 1993-2000 Avg. 585 80 155 29 4 17 ? 58 112 13 6 .264 .331 .414 .745 1993 Marlins 608 65 151 22 3 10 60 55 117 13 6 .248 .310 .346 .656 1995 Cardinals 531 63 131 26 3 12 59 48 102 9 5 .247 .310 .374 .684 1998 Expos 602 72 150 31 4 16 67 49 118 10 5 .249 .305 .394 .699 American League 1993-2000 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1999 Indians 626 112 181 34 4 23 107 83 122 16 6 .289 .372 .467 .839 1996 Mariners 630 110 181 38 2 27 106 74 117 10 4 .287 .362 .484 .846 2000 White Sox 627 109 179 36 4 24 103 66 107 13 5 .286 .356 .470 .826 1993-2000 Avg. 590 87 161 31 3 19 ? 62 105 11 5 .273 .342 .432 .774 1998 Devil Rays 617 69 161 30 5 12 64 53 123 13 8 .261 .319 .385 .704 1997 Blue Jays 608 73 148 31 5 16 70 54 126 15 6 .244 .305 .389 .694 1993 Royals 614 75 162 33 4 14 71 48 104 11 8 .263 .316 .397 .713
Thus, MLB muscled its way through a period of bitter labor strife with a power-centric mode of play that the ticket-buying public generally appreciated. But there were some voices of complaint amid the “arena ball” din: those who decried the suspected widespread steroid use, those who despaired that umpires were fashioning their own individualized rule book, and those who found the endless round of raucous slugfests to deliver little of the sport’s nuance, elegance, and tension.
Era 19, 2001-2005: In Quest(ec) of Moderation
Beginning in 2001, as part of MLB’s reassertion of authority over umpires, another crackdown on enforcement of the rule book strike zone began. This time it incorporated deployment of a laser/computer program of tracking pitches, provided by a firm called QuesTec. Whatever the validity of the QuesTec system, the impact of the effort was undeniable: walks were reduced (by 15% from 2000 to 2001), strikeouts slightly increased, and scoring rates tempered (from 4.96 runs per team/game in 1996-2000, to 4.71 over past five seasons). Still, MLB in 2001-2005 remains in a distinctly high-scoring mode, with, interestingly, doubles at record rates in both leagues.
National League 2001-2005 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 2001 Rockies 632 103 185 36 7 24 97 57 114 15 6 .292 .354 .483 .837 2003 Braves 630 101 179 36 3 26 97 61 104 8 2 .284 .349 .475 .824 2003 Cardinals 630 97 176 38 4 22 92 64 106 9 4 .279 .350 .454 .804 2001-05 Avg. 613 82 160 32 3 19 ? 60 120 10 4 .261 .328 .418 .746 2003 Dodgers 606 64 148 29 3 14 60 45 109 9 4 .243 .303 .368 .671 2004 D-backs 616 68 156 33 4 15 65 49 114 6 4 .253 .310 .393 .703 2002 Brewers 602 70 152 30 3 15 66 56 125 10 6 .253 .320 .390 .710 American League 2001-2005 Team AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 2003 Red Sox 641 107 185 41 4 26 104 69 105 10 4 .289 .360 .491 .851 2004 Red Sox 636 105 179 41 3 25 101 73 132 8 3 .282 .360 .472 .832 2001 Mariners 631 103 182 34 4 19 98 68 110 19 5 .288 .360 .445 .805 2001-2005 Avg. 621 87 166 33 3 20 ? 57 112 11 5 .267 .330 .428 .757 2002 Tigers 601 64 149 29 4 14 61 40 115 7 5 .248 .300 .379 .679 2003 Tigers 607 66 146 22 4 17 61 49 122 11 7 .240 .300 .375 .675 2002 Orioles 610 74 150 35 3 18 71 50 110 12 5 .246 .309 .403 .712
1893-2005 At a Glance
Three Highest-Scoring Lineups, National League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1893-1897 547 131 187 29 14 7 111 57 26 31 ? .341 .403 .481 .884 1898-1903 575 102 172 21 10 3 84 53 34 27 ? .298 .358 .382 .740 1904-1910 572 84 153 20 9 4 67 51 ? 28 ? .268 .328 .355 .684 1911-1913 565 87 155 26 10 5 73 61 64 26 ? .274 .346 .385 .731 1914-1919 576 73 149 22 7 4 62 49 60 20 ? .259 .317 .342 .659 1920-1928 604 98 185 31 11 9 88 51 41 14 7 .305 .359 .437 .796 1929-1930 613 111 189 37 8 15 104 61 63 9 ? .308 .371 .468 .839 1931-1936 609 93 175 34 7 11 86 49 57 8 ? .288 .341 .421 .761 1937-1941 604 90 168 30 8 10 83 63 56 7 ? .279 .346 .405 .751 1942-1945 607 86 166 29 6 8 79 63 52 6 ? .273 .341 .383 .724 1946-1954 598 99 165 28 6 21 92 70 70 11 ? .277 .353 .446 .799 1955-1962 608 95 165 24 5 20 88 66 90 13 6 .272 .343 .429 .772 1963-1968 625 89 168 28 5 20 84 57 102 7 5 .269 .330 .427 .757 1969-1976 624 94 169 30 5 16 87 78 105 17 4 .271 .352 .412 .764 1977-1984 620 90 170 30 6 19 84 61 95 18 7 .275 .340 .433 .773 1985-1987 617 89 164 30 4 18 84 65 106 21 6 .266 .335 .413 .749 1988-1992 608 85 157 29 4 16 80 64 98 15 6 .259 .329 .400 .729 1993-2000 623 106 178 34 5 23 101 67 116 17 7 .286 .355 .468 .823 2001-2005 631 100 180 37 5 24 95 61 108 10 4 .285 .347 .471 .818 1893-2005 601 95 169 29 7 13 86 60 75 16 6 .282 .347 .419 .766 Three Highest-Scoring Lineups, American League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1901-1903 532 89 151 24 9 4 74 41 36 24 ? .284 .336 .385 .721 1904-1910 570 76 151 21 9 2 61 44 ? 24 ? .264 .317 .345 .662 1911-1913 576 92 166 27 10 3 74 54 ? 25 ? .288 .349 .389 .738 1914-1919 553 81 152 22 9 3 68 61 52 23 ? .275 .347 .363 .710 1920-1928 592 105 181 34 10 12 97 68 57 8 6 .305 .377 .461 .838 1929-1930 607 109 182 35 10 14 101 65 59 9 6 .301 .369 .464 .833 1931-1936 618 116 182 32 9 18 109 82 62 11 6 .294 .377 .465 .842 1937-1941 600 108 169 31 7 19 102 80 65 8 4 .281 .366 .451 .817 1942-1945 591 85 161 28 6 10 79 63 58 7 5 .272 .342 .392 .734 1946-1954 601 105 172 30 6 16 100 83 59 4 2 .286 .372 .438 .810 1955-1962 601 92 163 23 6 19 86 72 83 7 4 .271 .349 .425 .774 1963-1968 613 85 157 27 4 20 79 60 104 7 3 .256 .322 .413 .734 1969-1976 617 88 165 28 4 18 83 70 96 10 6 .267 .341 .409 .750 1977-1984 627 97 176 29 5 19 91 61 86 11 6 .281 .344 .434 .778 1985-1987 626 96 170 30 4 22 91 67 108 15 6 .272 .342 .441 .784 1988-1992 622 91 166 32 4 19 86 71 109 10 5 .267 .342 .420 .762 1993-2000 628 110 180 36 3 25 105 74 115 13 5 .287 .363 .473 .836 2001-2005 636 105 182 39 4 23 101 70 116 12 4 .286 .357 .470 .827 1901-2005 601 96 168 29 7 15 88 66 79 13 5 .280 .351 .426 .777 Average Lineup, National League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1893-1897 524 95 154 22 10 4 ? 49 32 27 ? .293 .354 .397 .751 1898-1903 551 77 149 19 8 3 ? 42 ? 21 ? .271 .323 .349 .672 1904-1910 561 64 139 18 7 2 ? 47 ? 21 ? .247 .305 .319 .624 1911-1913 572 75 151 23 9 4 ? 54 65 22 ? .265 .328 .360 .688 1914-1919 545 60 137 19 8 3 ? 42 58 17 ? .251 .305 .331 .636 1920-1928 591 79 168 26 8 7 ? 47 48 10 ? .284 .336 .392 .728 1929-1930 602 95 180 32 8 11 ? 53 51 8 ? .299 .356 .437 .793 1931-1936 601 77 166 29 6 8 ? 46 55 6 ? .276 .327 .386 .713 1937-1941 592 75 158 27 6 9 ? 53 60 6 ? .267 .327 .376 .703 1942-1945 590 71 152 25 5 7 ? 56 56 6 ? .258 .323 .354 .677 1946-1954 588 77 154 25 5 13 ? 61 67 5 ? .261 .330 .389 .719 1955-1962 590 76 153 24 5 16 ? 56 88 6 4 .259 .324 .400 .724 1963-1968 613 70 153 23 5 13 ? 50 105 8 5 .249 .306 .367 .673 1969-1976 609 74 155 24 4 13 ? 60 97 10 6 .255 .321 .373 .695 1977-1984 585 71 151 25 4 12 ? 55 91 15 7 .257 .321 .376 .698 1985-1987 611 76 156 28 4 15 ? 60 105 16 7 .255 .322 .386 .708 1988-1992 608 72 152 27 4 13 ? 56 104 15 7 .250 .314 .370 .685 1993-2000 585 80 155 29 4 17 ? 58 112 13 6 .264 .331 .414 .745 2001-2005 613 82 160 32 3 19 ? 60 120 10 4 .261 .328 .418 .746 1893-2005 586 76 155 25 6 10 ? 53 77 13 6 .264 .325 .379 .704 Average Lineup, American League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1901-1903 526 73 141 22 9 3 ? 36 45 18 ? .252 .307 .324 .630 1904-1910 565 62 138 19 7 2 ? 40 ? 20 ? .244 .294 .313 .607 1911-1913 565 74 149 22 9 2 ? 51 ? 24 ? .265 .326 .347 .673 1914-1919 540 62 136 20 8 2 ? 52 59 18 ? .252 .318 .329 .647 1920-1928 586 84 168 30 8 6 ? 56 49 10 8 .286 .348 .397 .745 1929-1930 591 89 169 32 9 9 ? 56 53 9 6 .286 .348 .414 .762 1931-1936 601 89 168 31 7 9 ? 62 56 7 5 .279 .347 .402 .749 1937-1941 596 88 164 30 7 11 ? 66 62 7 5 .276 .347 .407 .754 1942-1945 585 69 149 24 5 7 ? 58 59 7 5 .255 .323 .349 .672 1946-1954 586 77 153 25 5 11 ? 68 66 5 4 .261 .337 .377 .714 1955-1962 589 76 151 23 4 15 ? 63 84 5 4 .256 .327 .388 .715 1963-1968 605 69 145 22 4 15 ? 56 107 7 4 .240 .305 .365 .670 1969-1976 604 73 153 24 4 14 ? 60 93 10 6 .253 .320 .372 .693 1977-1984 588 76 156 26 4 14 ? 55 82 11 6 .265 .327 .396 .724 1985-1987 615 84 161 28 4 19 ? 61 101 12 6 .263 .329 .413 .742 1988-1992 612 78 159 28 3 15 ? 60 99 12 6 .260 .326 .389 .714 1993-2000 590 87 161 31 3 19 ? 62 105 11 5 .273 .342 .432 .774 2001-2005 621 87 166 33 3 20 ? 57 112 11 5 .267 .330 .428 .757 1901-2005 587 78 155 26 6 11 ? 57 77 11 5 .264 .329 .383 .712 Three Lowest-Scoring Lineups, National League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1893-1897 509 68 135 16 8 4 55 39 39 20 ? .264 .317 .351 .668 1898-1903 536 52 132 15 5 1 44 33 48 16 ? .246 .290 .296 .587 1904-1910 547 43 121 14 6 2 35 36 ? 13 ? .221 .268 .281 .549 1911-1913 563 62 142 18 8 3 52 46 67 20 ? .252 .308 .331 .638 1914-1919 570 53 137 17 8 2 45 41 68 19 ? .241 .291 .310 .602 1920-1928 582 58 150 19 8 2 51 41 50 13 10 .258 .307 .333 .640 1929-1930 585 74 164 29 8 5 68 47 47 9 ? .281 .334 .385 .718 1931-1936 581 59 146 24 6 5 54 39 45 4 ? .252 .299 .336 .634 1937-1941 576 57 141 22 4 7 53 48 60 5 ? .245 .304 .332 .636 1942-1945 568 51 133 21 3 6 47 49 59 5 ? .235 .296 .314 .611 1946-1954 581 59 139 22 4 8 54 58 70 6 ? .240 .309 .334 .643 1955-1962 590 62 143 21 5 13 57 50 93 6 4 .243 .302 .361 .663 1963-1968 602 52 136 20 4 8 48 47 116 6 4 .226 .282 .312 .594 1969-1976 590 53 135 20 4 11 49 47 114 7 5 .228 .285 .331 .616 1977-1984 603 62 149 25 5 9 58 52 92 14 7 .247 .307 .347 .654 1985-1987 601 64 143 25 4 9 59 58 100 17 7 .239 .306 .341 .646 1988-1992 603 61 147 25 3 10 57 53 97 12 7 .244 .305 .342 .647 1993-2000 580 66 144 26 3 13 62 51 112 11 5 .248 .309 .371 .680 2001-2005 608 67 152 31 3 15 64 50 116 8 4 .250 .307 .384 .690 1893-2005 578 59 142 22 5 7 53 47 77 11 6 .245 .302 .337 .638 Three Lowest-Scoring Lineups, American League: Period AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS BA OBP SLG OPS 1901-1903 516 54 124 19 7 2 45 32 57 15 ? .241 .285 .314 .599 1904-1910 559 47 127 16 5 1 37 35 ? 16 ? .227 .272 .281 .553 1911-1913 546 57 129 18 7 2 47 51 72 21 ? .237 .302 .305 .608 1914-1919 547 52 132 19 8 3 43 43 67 16 ? .242 .297 .319 .616 1920-1928 579 63 148 27 6 4 56 45 56 6 8 .256 .310 .344 .653 1929-1930 581 68 155 29 8 4 62 44 55 9 7 .266 .318 .364 .682 1931-1936 596 68 155 31 6 5 63 50 58 8 6 .261 .318 .357 .675 1937-1941 595 73 155 28 7 7 66 55 59 9 5 .260 .323 .370 .693 1942-1945 587 56 144 20 5 4 51 48 53 5 4 .245 .302 .313 .615 1946-1954 575 56 143 22 5 5 52 55 65 5 4 .249 .314 .332 .646 1955-1962 577 60 138 21 3 10 56 58 80 4 4 .240 .310 .338 .648 1963-1968 599 55 136 19 3 9 50 51 110 8 5 .227 .287 .315 .602 1969-1976 570 51 132 19 2 8 48 47 94 9 6 .231 .290 .317 .607 1977-1984 593 62 143 24 3 12 58 51 89 15 10 .241 .301 .352 .654 1985-1987 605 71 152 25 4 14 67 55 99 13 7 .251 .314 .378 .692 1988-1992 600 63 147 24 2 11 59 51 98 12 8 .245 .304 .349 .653 1993-2000 613 72 157 31 4 14 68 51 118 13 7 .256 .314 .390 .704 2001-2005 606 68 148 29 4 16 64 47 116 10 6 .245 .299 .386 .685 1901-2005 580 61 143 23 5 7 55 48 79 11 6 .246 .304 .341 .645
References & Resources
A brilliant exploration of the various elements fueling MLB’s offensive boom of the 1990s/2000s is Howard Bryant’s Juicing the Game: Drugs, Power, and the Fight for the Soul of Major League Baseball, New York: Viking, 2005.