Stanton fails to hit 60th HR in season finale
The list of 60-home run hitters in baseball history will remain at eight for at least one more year.
Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton gave it his best shot in the season finale Sunday - manager Don Mattingly moved him into the leadoff spot in an attempt to maximize his at-bats - but ultimately failed to hit home run No. 60 on the season, and instead finished 2017 with a remarkable 59.
With that mark, Stanton tied Babe Ruth (1921) for ninth place on baseball's single-season homers list.
60-HOME RUN SEASONS IN BASEBALL HISTORY
| Player | Team | Year | HR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Bonds | Giants | 2001 | 73 |
| Mark McGwire | Cardinals | 1998 | 70 |
| Sammy Sosa | Cubs | 1998 | 66 |
| Mark McGwire | Cardinals | 1999 | 65 |
| Sammy Sosa | Cubs | 2001 | 64 |
| Sammy Sosa | Cubs | 1999 | 63 |
| Roger Maris | Yankees | 1961 | 61 |
| Babe Ruth | Yankees | 1927 | 60 |
Stanton had one final chance to hit 60 in the ninth, but struck out swinging at a slider from Arodys Vizcaino. He went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles, an RBI, and two strikeouts in the Marlins' 8-5 loss to Atlanta.
After Stanton struck out in the ninth, fans at Marlins Park acknowledged his remarkable season with a prolonged standing ovation that resulted in a curtain call for the Marlins' $325-million man.
That was an incredible show, @Giancarlo818. pic.twitter.com/33FaRGLll9
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2017
Stanton ends his MVP-caliber 2017 campaign with a remarkable .282/.376/.633 slash line, 32 doubles, 85 walks, and a major-league best 132 RBIs to go along with his 59 homers.
The 27-year-old did set one record on Sunday afternoon, though, as his third-inning single came off the bat at 122.2 mph to become the hardest base hit ever recorded by StatCast.