Manny Ramirez, a name synonymous with clutch postseason blasts, still holds the top spot for career playoff home runs with a staggering 29. But guess who’s right on his heels, just one bomb shy of tying that legendary mark? Jose Altuve, sitting at 28 homers, including one he hammered in the AL wild card series this year.
The Modern Race for October Glory
This chase for the all-time postseason home run record is happening in a whole new ballgame, literally. With Major League Baseball’s expanded postseason, teams can now play up to 22 games in October, a massive jump from the mere seven games Mickey Mantle played back in his day. Mantle, the Hall of Famer, smashed all 18 of his dingers in the World Series, before the League Championship Series even existed in 1969. Back then, it was just the top team from each league straight to the Fall Classic. Now, with a 12-team field, there are way more opportunities for guys to rack up those big-time October stats. It makes Manny’s 29 homers, last hit in 2009, even more impressive considering he played in a less expanded era than the current crop. But for Altuve to get that record, his team has gotta make it back to the postseason.
Who’s Chasing Them Both?
Beyond Altuve breathing down Manny’s neck, a whole slew of sluggers are making their mark in October. Kyle Schwarber is already at 24 dingers in just 309 plate appearances, which is ridiculous power. George Springer isn’t far behind him with 23. You’ve got legends like Bernie Williams with 22, and Derek Jeter with 20, though Jeter needed a hefty 734 plate appearances to get there. Then there’s a group stacked at 19 homers: Alex Bregman, Albert Pujols, and Corey Seager. Carlos Correa, Nelson Cruz, Bryce Harper, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and Giancarlo Stanton are all tied up at 18. This expanded playoff format means this list is gonna keep shifting, fast.
Every single one of these guys steps up when the lights are brightest, but the regular season grind is what gets you to October. With Altuve needing just one more blast to tie the record, and his team still battling it out in the regular season, you know he’s eyeing that chance to etch his name even deeper into the history books. We’re watching history being written, every game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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