When it comes to baseball stats, slugging percentage is one of the key indicators of a player’s offensive prowess. It is a measure of a batter’s total bases divided by their at-bats. It is a popular statistic among baseball fans, and many consider it the best way to evaluate a hitter’s power. So, who has the highest slugging percentage of all time?
What is Slugging Percentage?
Slugging percentage, or SLG, is a statistic used to measure a batter’s power. It is calculated by taking the total number of bases a player has earned from hits, including extra-base hits such as doubles, triples, and home runs, and dividing it by the total number of at-bats. The result is expressed as a decimal. The higher the number, the better the player’s hitting power.
The History of Slugging Percentage
The first record of the statistic being used dates back to the 1800s. It was originally developed by Henry Chadwick, who is credited with inventing the box score. He was searching for a way to compare players with different amounts of playing time, and the slugging percentage was his solution. It quickly became a popular statistic among baseball fans and remains so today.
The Highest Slugging Percentage of All Time
The player with the highest slugging percentage of all time, based on their career numbers, is Babe Ruth. He holds the record with a career slugging percentage of .690. Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees between 1914 and 1935 and was one of the most prolific hitters in the history of the game.
Other Notable Players
Ruth’s record is impressive, but there are several other players with impressive slugging percentages. Lou Gehrig, who played for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 1930s, has the second-highest career slugging percentage with .634. Barry Bonds is third with .607, followed by Ted Williams with .634 and Stan Musial with .579.
Modern Slugging Leaders
Today’s players are putting up impressive numbers as well. Mike Trout, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels, has the highest slugging percentage among active players with .585. He is followed by Giancarlo Stanton with .551, J.D. Martinez with .548, and Mookie Betts with .547.
Conclusion
Slugging percentage is a key statistic in baseball, and it can tell us a lot about a player’s offensive ability. Babe Ruth holds the record for the highest slugging percentage of all time with .690, but there are a number of other players with impressive numbers. Mike Trout is the leader among active players, and it will be interesting to see if he can match Ruth’s record.