Top 25 MLB batting seasons of all time

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circa 1909: American baseball player Honus Wagner (1874 – 1955), aka ‘The Flying Dutchman,’ infielder and outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, follows through with his swing while at the plate during a game. (Photo by Photo File/Getty Images) /

5. Honus Wagner, 1908

The Numbers: Led MLB with a .354/.415/.542 line, 201 hits, 39 doubles, 19 triples, 109 RBI, 53 steals

Possibly the greatest all-around shortstop in MLB history, Honus Wagner battled Ty Cobb for the title of greatest player of the dead-ball era. Cobb himself though of Wagner as a bigger star. Both went into the Hall of Fame with the inaugural class in 1936.

Wagner almost did not play in 1908, threatening retirement if he did not receive a pay raise. In the days before free agency, this was the last resort for players unhappy with their pay. Wagner eventually received a raise up to $10,000 — less than $300,000 in today’s dollar — and came back to play for Pittsburgh.

Baseball historian Bill James calls Wagner’s 1908 season the best in MLB history. Pitching dominated the year more than any other in the dead-ball era. The entire league had a 2.35 ERA, meaning scoring was about half as high as today. Wagner still drove in over 100 runs and had 68 extra-base hits while playing phenomenal defense. Project those numbers up to an environment more conducive to hitting, and you begin to see just how good Wagner was in 1908.

Wagner was one of the first MLB players to be highly aware of his marketing appeal. He licensed bats with his signature. His refusal to be associated with tobacco helped create the most valuable baseball card in history. Wagner also appeared in two movies after his playing days were over.

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