The National League hasnt had a player hit 50 bombs in a season for over a decade. During the last five seasons, before this record-setting homer surge in 2017, the end of the PED era normalized the video-game like homer outputs throughout baseball.
On Sunday, Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton continued his throwback assault on MLB pitchers. He broke a tie game by hitting a towering blast in the eighth inning of a 6-2 Marlins win over the Padres for his 50th of the season.
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Video of the Day: Giancarlo Stanton is the first NL player to hit 50 homers in a season since Prince Fielder in 2007. https://t.co/YB9tuu8pa4
Prince Fielder hit a hefty 50 in 2007, Ryan Howard hit a Ruthian 58 in 2006 and Andrew Jones hit 51 in 2005. Since 2010, however, no one in the NL has hit more than 42 homers in a season.
This seasons MLB homer explosion has been reminiscent of the steroids era, when lineups were littered with power guys and everyone wondered why the seventh and eight hitters were going yard 20 times a season. There are special seasons, when great power hitters get in a zone and maintain a certain ferociousness and power productiveness with the bat that becomes historical. Stanton is in one of those zones as hes on pace to hit 63 dingers this season.
Giancarlo Stanton Mix-“Congratulations”
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After the blast, The four-time All-Star right fielder tipped his helmet to the crowd that was chanting: “MVP! MVP! MVP!”
Stanton has scorched the league in August. He has gone on his tear at the right time too. Now 66-63, the Marlins are 4 1/2 games behind the Rockies for the second spot in the Wild Card chase, optimism is abound in Miami and folks are actually coming out to the park to see the Black Knight shine brighter than any star in the MLB Milky Way right now.
“For here, that’s about as lively as they’ve ever been,” Stanton told mlb.com. “In 2012, opening of the new stadium, it was up there. In terms of understanding what we’re doing, and what we have a chance to do, it’s up there.”
Once a player hits that 50-homer mark and theres still a month left in the season, fans start to get excited and think about the possibilities of reaching the magical number of 60. According to ESPN’s Stats and Info, Stanton is the sixth player to have 50 home runs before the end of August. The exclusive list includes Sammy Sosa (three times) and Mark McGwire (twice). Barry Bonds, Luis Gonzalez and Roger Maris each did it once.
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Giancarlo Stanton is the sixth player ever to reach 50 homers in August. How high can he climb? https://t.co/6hE25iW7Jt
Stantons 17 August homers matches Sosa (2001) and Willie Mays (1965) for the NL high for this month. The MLB record is 18, set by Rudy York in 1937 and don’t bet against the baller formerly known as Mike to at least tie the mark.
Stanton already has career-highs of 50 home runs and 108 RBIs.
“I’ve never seen anybody, in person, as he is right now,” said Miamis rising, young center fielder Christian Yelich on MLB Network. “It’s fun to watch. You feel everything he hits is an absolute rocket. If it gets in the air, it’s a homer.”
Stanton is in his prime. Still just 27 years old and eight years into his MLB career, he has figured it all out. Hes worked through injuries and setbacks and slumps and hes fought through that rough period where you have to readjust to the league after it figures out your strengths and weaknesses.
Giancarlo Stanton hit in face with pitch
11.09.2014. In a sickening scene, Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins slumped to the ground after right-hander Mike Fiers of the Milwaukee Brewers hit him in the face with a fastball in the top of the fifth inning Thursday night.
The sky’s the limit for this big-bopper over the next five years. As he rises to mythical heights, his Florida Marlins squad moves up the standings as well. Theres a playoff excitement surrounding a franchise that hasnt had a winning record since 2009. When the Marlins gave Stanton the richest contract in pro sports history, most baseball pundits wondered what the heck they were doing. As baseball will surely usher in its first $400 million man in the near future, Stantons performance and impact on the team and the league is making his $325 millioncontract look like a bargain.
