Since its inception in 1876, Major League Baseball has seen some truly remarkable players. From Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds, some of the most iconic players in the history of the sport have graced the diamond with their presence. But who has the highest slugging percentage in MLB history?
What is Slugging Percentage?
Slugging percentage (or SLG) is a statistic that measures a batter’s ability to hit for power. It is calculated by taking a player’s total number of bases divided by their total number of at-bats. This number is then expressed as a percentage. A higher slugging percentage generally indicates a player is a better power hitter.
Babe Ruth
When it comes to slugging percentage, no one can touch the legendary Babe Ruth. The Sultan of Swat hit an astounding .690 SLG in his career. This was the highest slugging percentage in MLB history until Barry Bonds broke his record in 2007. Ruth also holds the record for most home runs in a season with 60, and is second in career home runs with 714.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds holds the record for highest slugging percentage in MLB history with a .609 SLG. This comes as no surprise because Bonds also holds the record for most career home runs with 762. Additionally, he holds the record for most career walks with 2,558. Bonds is widely considered to be the greatest hitter in MLB history and is one of the most feared hitters to ever step onto the field.
Ted Williams
Ted Williams is one of the most iconic players in baseball history and he is also one of the best hitters to ever play the game. Williams holds the record for the highest batting average in MLB history with a .344 AVG. He also holds the third highest slugging percentage in MLB history with a .634 SLG. Williams was known for his incredible plate discipline and his ability to hit for power.
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is another icon of the game and he is also one of the best hitters to ever play. Aaron holds the record for the most career home runs with 755. He also holds the fourth highest slugging percentage in MLB history with a .555 SLG. Aaron is considered to be one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game and his accomplishments speak for themselves.
Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig is an iconic figure in the history of baseball and his accomplishments are legendary. Gehrig holds the fifth highest slugging percentage in MLB history with a .545 SLG. He is also third on the all-time home run list with 493. Gehrig was known for his incredible power and he was one of the best clutch hitters to ever play the game.
Conclusion
The highest slugging percentage in MLB history belongs to Barry Bonds with a .609 SLG. Bonds also holds the record for most career home runs with 762. Babe Ruth holds the second highest slugging percentage with a .690 SLG and he is second in career home runs with 714. Ted Williams, Hank Aaron and Lou Gehrig round out the top five highest slugging percentages in MLB history. These five players are some of the greatest hitters to ever step onto the diamond and their slugging percentages are a testament to their greatness.