MLB's Single Season Home Run Record: 2023 Update
Introduction
The Major League Baseball (MLB) single-season home run record has stood since the 2001 season, when Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs in a single year. In the 22 years since then, the record has been challenged by numerous players, but so far it has remained intact. This article takes a look at the current state of the single-season home run record in the 2023 MLB season.
The Current Record Holder
The current record holder for the most home runs in a single MLB season is still Barry Bonds, who hit 73 in the 2001 season. Bonds, who played for the San Francisco Giants at the time, set the record at the height of the "steroid era" in MLB, when performance-enhancing drugs were widely used among players.
Challengers in 2023
So far in the 2023 MLB season, several players have emerged as contenders for the single-season home run record. The most notable of these players is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is currently on pace to hit 75 home runs this season. Other players who are challenging the record include Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta, who is on pace to hit 70 home runs, and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini, who is on pace to hit 68 home runs.
The Impact of Performance Enhancing Drugs
The use of performance-enhancing drugs has been largely eliminated from MLB since 2001, when Bonds set the single-season home run record. As a result, players who are challenging the record are doing so without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. This has led to speculation that the record may eventually be broken in the coming years, as players become more skilled and use more advanced technology to hit home runs.
The Impact of the New Ball
In addition to the elimination of performance-enhancing drugs, the MLB has also introduced a new ball in the 2023 season. The new ball is slightly larger and has a harder core, which has led to an increase in home run production across the league. This has made it easier for players to hit home runs, and has likely contributed to the increase in players challenging the single-season home run record in the 2023 season.
The Impact of Technology
The use of technology has also become increasingly widespread in MLB in recent years. Players are now using advanced analytics to analyze their swing and make adjustments to improve their performance. In addition, the use of video and virtual reality technology has enabled players to gain a better understanding of the game and to better prepare themselves for success. This has enabled them to become more skilled hitters, and has likely contributed to the increase in players challenging the single-season home run record.
Conclusion
The single-season home run record has stood since 2001, and so far it has been unbroken. However, in the 2023 MLB season, several players have emerged as contenders for the record. The elimination of performance-enhancing drugs, the introduction of a new ball, and the use of advanced technology have all likely contributed to the increase in players challenging the record. It will be interesting to see if the record is broken in the coming years.