Do you think it is possible for a player to hit 50 HRs and Steal 100 Bases in the same season?

by Paul
(Carlinville, IL, USA)

Paul asked: Typically, a home run hitter who can hit 50 home runs in a season is someone really big and strong like Ryan Howard and someone who steals 100 or more bases is someone very fast such as Vince Coleman.

Power and speed normally do not go hand in hand unless the player is some place in the middle physically, then it is more likely that they hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases a season.

However, there have been special players like Eric Davis and Barry Bonds who are both tremendously strong and very fast.

Eric Davis for instance hit 26 home runs and stole 80 bases in the same season, and then followed that up with 37 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

Barry Bonds hit 50 home runs one season and stole 50 bases in another season, and also joined the 40/40 club one year.

However, do you think it is possible for a player not only to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, but hit 50 home runs while also stealing 100 bases.

Obviously, this person would have to be a good hitter and draw a lot of walks too for a high on base percentage.

I guess the real question here that I am asking is can a person with world class speed who is capable of stealing 100 bases in a single season also have enough upper body strength to smash out 50 home runs?


Rick answered: Paul, thank you for your question.

I would never say never to anything in the realm of baseball.

Players change, equipment changes, weather changes, rules and facilities change, just to name a few factors.

That individual may be out there on some team's roster right now, or in a minor league system, college or high school, Little League, as well as not born yet.

It is what makes baseball so intriguing, you just never know what may happen next.


Yours in baseball,

Rick