Unveiled: The Untold Stories Behind Baseball's Most Jaw-Dropping Records
Ever wonder what it’d really mean to delve deep into the annals of baseball history? You know that the sport’s record books are like sacred archives, and this article dives into the astonishing world of MLB records like never before…
Here's a thought-provoking question: Have you ever stopped to ponderatically* consider the sheer multitude of record holders whose stories we’d instantly recognize, compared to those we’ve barely ever heard of? It’s quite the curiosity, ain’t it? From beloved legends like Babe Ruth and Nolan Ryan, to front-runners who’ve carved out their niches, to names that ring fainter bells, like Ty Cobb and even Ed Walsh—who’s got that lowest-ever career ERA at 1.82!
A funny insight: Picture this for a second. They say baseball’s the pace of a glacier, especially when discussing its stats/achievements. But with over a century of records now encompassing everything from home runs and stolen bases to the actual least amount of time it’s ever taken to play nine innings, one could almost claim it’s got the exhilarating feel of (barely) watching paint dry!
And don't even get me started on the Negro Leagues — now, a part of the official MLB record books. Who would’ve thought players like Josh Gibson would top an our-season batting average leaderboard?
MLB records brim with a wide array of bewildering feats and achievements, from individual player heroics to clutch team comeback(s). Each record presents a unique narrative, a legacy stitched with moments of glory, determination, and sometimes, even a dash of bafflement.
As an insider to the world’s richest sports side-hustle—SEO-wrangling and story-spinning—reading this article will feel like lugging through a treasure trove of baseball’s most cherished, most obscure, and sometimes downright peculiar moments.
Bands, feats, and fundraising for stats are indeed an amusing thing, educational thinglly insightful LEARN MORE. And yes, I would’ve said more curious things if my typing weren’t prone to slipping now and then.
Unlock this remarkable journey through baseball lore. Discover the legendary and lesser-known stories here!
The aforementioned Atlanta Braves of the ’90s were involved in all three of the fastest playoff games of all time. Greg Maddux worked seven innings and didn’t give up a run in the fastest game, a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1996 National League Division Series.
While 14 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit in a postseason series, the 2004 Boston Red Sox pulled off the biggest series comeback in history when they came back from down 3-0 to beat the rival New York Yankees. David Ortiz’s walk-off home run in the 12th inning of Game 4 drastically shifted the momentum of the series.
Ten players on the all-time MVP leaderboard each have three career MVPs, which places them collectively tied for second place of all time. This group of Hall of Famers won less than half the MVP awards Barry Bonds won, who won the National League MVP seven times including in four straight seasons.
MLB All-Time Records
Player Records
Team Records
Rickey Henderson unequivocally mastered the art of the stolen base – agility, speed, sliding, and timing. His total of 1,406 stolen bases is nearly 500 more than Lou Brock, who is in second on the all-time stolen bases leaderboard.
Player Postseason Records
From Nolan Ryan’s strikeouts to Cy Young’s pitching victories to Ty Cobb’s hits, the record books are littered with legends.
Team Postseason Records
Player Records
Most Career Home Runs
Most Home Runs in a Single Season
Most Home Runs in a Game by a Player
Most Consecutive Games with a Home Run
Most Career RBIs
Most RBIs in a Game
Highest Batting Average in a Season
Most Strikeouts in a Game
Most Strikeouts in a Season
Most Career Hits
Most Career Stolen Bases
Most Stolen Bases in a Game
Most MVP Awards
Most Cy Young Awards
Most Gold Glove Awards at Each Position
Most Five-Hit Games in a Season
Most Five-Hit Games in a Career
Lowest ERA in a Career
Lowest ERA in a Single Season
Highest Paid Player
Most Cycles in a Season and Career
Team Records
Most Home Runs in a Game by a Team
Most Stolen Bases in a Game by a Team
Best Record in a Season
Worst Record in a Season
Most Total Runs Scored in a Game
Most Wins in a Row
Most Losses in a Row
Biggest Comeback in a Game
Fastest Game
Biggest Blowout in MLB History
Postseason Player Records
Most Strikeouts in a Playoff Game
Lowest ERA in a Postseason
Most World Series MVPs
Most Home Runs in a Postseason
Most Home Runs in a Postseason and World Series Game
Most Doubles in a Postseason and World Series Game
Most Hits in a Postseason and World Series Game
Most RBIs in a Postseason and World Series Game
Team Postseason Records
Most Home Runs in a Playoff Game by a Team
Most Total Runs Scored in a Playoff Game
Longest Active World Series Win Drought
Longest Active Playoff Appearance Drought
Most Consecutive Playoff Appearances
Fastest Postseason Game
Biggest Comeback in a Series
Biggest Comeback in a Playoff Game
Biggest Postseason and World Series Blowout
Below is an index of various all-time season records, streaks and interesting tidbits to bring some of these remarkable stories to life and showcase the rich history of America’s pastime. Commissioner Rob Manfred first announced MLB would recognize statistics from the Negro Leagues in 2020. And before the 2024 season, the league made it official.
The teams with the five worst records of the modern era all played in 1935 or earlier, except for the 1962 Mets in their 120-loss inaugural season. The Philadelphia Athletics are the owners of both the worst- and fifth-worst records of all time.
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