Who is the only player to hit over 70 home runs in a single season?

Barry Bonds is the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit more than 70 home runs in a single season. He hit 73 for the San Francisco Giants in 2001, setting the current MLB single-season record.

Bonds broke Mark McGwire’s record of 70 home runs, established with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998. Bonds reached 71 on October 5, 2001, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, then finished with 73 two days later. His final home run came off Dennis Springer, also against the Dodgers.

The feat occurred during baseball’s famous late-1990s and early-2000s home-run surge. Sammy Sosa also topped 60 home runs three times, but never reached 70; McGwire reached 70 once. Giancarlo Stanton has been one of the era’s premier power hitters, yet his best MLB season produced 59 home runs in 2017.

Bonds’ 2001 season was remarkable beyond home runs: he posted a .515 on-base percentage, a .863 slugging percentage, and 177 walks. His record remains officially recognized by MLB, although his career is closely debated because of performance-enhancing-drug allegations.