On-base plus slugging (OPS) is an important statistic in baseball that measures the overall offensive performance of a player. It combines a player’s on-base percentage and their slugging percentage to measure their offensive value. It is an important statistic for determining the most valuable players in the game of baseball. In this article, we will look at the highest single season OPS in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
What is OPS?
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging. It is a useful statistic for measuring the overall offensive performance of a player. It is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and their slugging percentage (SLG). OBP measures the frequency with which a batter reaches base via a hit, walk, hit by pitch, or fielder’s choice. SLG is a measure of the power of a player’s hitting, calculated by dividing total bases by at bats. When combined, these two stats measure the overall offensive performance of a player.
History of Highest Single Season OPS
The highest single season OPS in MLB history belongs to Babe Ruth. He achieved an OPS of 1.164 in 1921, which was the highest single season OPS until Barry Bonds broke it in 2002. Bonds had an OPS of 1.381 in that season, a record that still stands today. The third highest OPS ever achieved was by Mickey Mantle, who had an OPS of 1.169 in 1956.
Other Notable Players with High Single Season OPS
In addition to Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Mickey Mantle, there are several other notable players who have achieved high single season OPS. Ted Williams had an OPS of 1.095 in 1957, while Lou Gehrig achieved an OPS of 1.080 in 1927. Hank Aaron had an OPS of 1.072 in 1959, and Stan Musial had an OPS of 1.061 in 1948.
Modern Players with High Single Season OPS
While the highest single season OPS is still held by Barry Bonds, there are several modern players who have achieved high single season OPS. Mike Trout had an OPS of 1.083 in 2019, which is the highest single season OPS of any modern player. Joey Votto had an OPS of 1.077 in 2018, while Miguel Cabrera had an OPS of 1.076 in 2013. Other notable modern players who have achieved high single season OPS include Albert Pujols (1.065 in 2008), Bryce Harper (1.061 in 2015), and Paul Goldschmidt (1.059 in 2018).
Conclusion
The highest single season OPS in MLB history belongs to Barry Bonds, who achieved an OPS of 1.381 in 2002. Babe Ruth holds the second highest single season OPS with 1.164 in 1921, while Mickey Mantle is third with an OPS of 1.169 in 1956. There have been several other players who have achieved high single season OPS, including Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, and Stan Musial. In the modern era, Mike Trout has the highest single season OPS with 1.083 in 2019. Other notable modern players with high single season OPS include Joey Votto, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Bryce Harper, and Paul Goldschmidt.