Howard and history

What this kid is doing isn't just cool and great, we're now on the verge of talking about it being one of the single greatest homer seasons EVER by someone so young. I can't even sleep I'm so blown away by what No 6 is doing (never thought I'd ever type/say those words and not be referring to Dr J).

 

A quick check of baseballreferencecom shows that there are only a hanful of young power performances that compare, in terms of age.

Arod at 26 - which has been Howard's age all season - hit 57 homers. Jimmie Foxx at 24 hit 58. Griffey Jr at 26 hit 56. Mantle at 24 hit 52. Hank Greenberg at 27 hit 58.

 

Then, the best ever: Ruth at 26 yrs old in '21 hit 59 and Maris at 26 hit 61.

(The 'roid crew - Luis Gonzales, sosa, mcgwire, bonds - all did their damage in the 30s, a sure sign of drugs.)

 

Yet some of these guys who accomplished so much so early had played several to many seasons by the time they were 26 - such as Arod's 26 in '00 or Ruth's 59 in '21.

 

This is Howard's 1st full year.

 

If he hits 58 homers, this is the greatest season EVER for a young slugger.

 

And 58 is basically now about what I expect.