Baseball is a sport of statistics, and one of the most important numbers that players and teams track is total bases. Total bases are a measure of how much a player has contributed to their team’s offensive production, and the players who are able to accumulate the most total bases are often the most productive and valuable players in the game. So who leads MLB in total bases?
All-Time Leader: Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is the all-time leader in total bases in Major League Baseball, with 6,856 total bases over his 23-year career. Aaron was one of the most prolific hitters of all time, and he was also one of the most consistent. He hit at least 20 home runs in 20 different seasons, and he drove in at least 100 runs in 15 different seasons. Aaron was also known for his durability, as he played in at least 150 games in 16 different seasons. All of these factors made him the all-time leader in total bases, and he is likely to remain in that position for a long time.
2020 Leaders
The 2020 season was an unusual one, as it was shortened to just 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the shortened season, there were still several players who were able to accumulate a significant amount of total bases. The 2020 leader in total bases was Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, who had 126 total bases in just 54 games. He was followed closely by teammate Cody Bellinger, who had 123 total bases in 56 games. Other notable leaders in total bases included Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (117 total bases), Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo (114 total bases), and San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer (112 total bases).
Active Leaders
Mookie Betts is currently the active leader in total bases, and he is likely to remain in that position for the foreseeable future. Betts has accumulated 1,592 total bases over his seven-year career, and he is still in the prime of his career. He is the only active player with more than 1,500 total bases, and he has a good chance at eventually surpassing Hank Aaron as the all-time leader.
Other Notable Leaders
In addition to Hank Aaron and the 2020 and active leaders, there have been several other notable players who have accumulated a significant amount of total bases over the course of their careers. These players include Babe Ruth (6,857 total bases), Stan Musial (6,134 total bases), Willie Mays (5,973 total bases), Alex Rodriguez (5,919 total bases), and Barry Bonds (5,954 total bases). All of these players have been among the most productive and valuable hitters in baseball history, and they all have a place in the record books as some of the greatest total base accumulators of all time.
Conclusion
Hank Aaron is the all-time leader in total bases in Major League Baseball, with 6,856 total bases over his 23-year career. Mookie Betts is the leader in total bases for the 2020 season and the active leader, with 1,592 total bases over his seven-year career. Other notable players who have accumulated a significant amount of total bases include Babe Ruth, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds. All of these players have been some of the most productive and valuable hitters in baseball history, and they all have a place in the record books as some of the greatest total base accumulators of all time.