Fansided

Top 25 MLB batting seasons of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

American baseball player George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948) known as 'Babe' Ruth. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)
American baseball player George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948) known as 'Babe' Ruth. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images) /
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25 Jun 1998: Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Seattle Mariners in action during an interleague game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
25 Jun 1998: Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Seattle Mariners in action during an interleague game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /

22. Alex Rodriguez, 1998

  • The Numbers: .310/.360/.560, 42 homers, 124 RBI, 46 steals

Alex Rodriguez used performance-enhancing drugs, that much is certain. When he began using them, however, is up for debate. A-Rod may never truly come completely clean on his usage of steroids and the like.

It feels like a safe assumption that Rodriguez was not using PEDs in 1998 when he completed the third 40-40 season in MLB history. It is a very impressive accomplishment considering A-Rod was in his age-21 season at the time. He joined admitted PED user Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds in the club. Bonds went 40-40 in his age-31 season. Rodriguez had debuted in 1994 at the age of 18.

Rodriguez was a generational talent at shortstop — a five-tool player in every sense of the word. He hit 54 doubles and won a batting title with a .354 batting average in his age-20 season. A-Rod had 189 home runs and 133 stolen bases before his age-25 season. Rodriguez got the monster contract with Texas, started using steroids, and tarnished his reputation forever. Instead of going down as one of the greatest players in MLB history, Rodriguez will likely not even make the Hall of Fame.

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