Most Homers in a Season – Pre-Liveball
Posted by Chris J. on October 13, 2007
Here's a bizarre thought: what's the most homers allowed in a season by a pitcher before 1920? The answer, unsurprisingly is the main pitcher for the 1884 Cubs, Larry Corcoran. That year homers over a ridiculously short fence, in other years ruled doubles, were homers. Multiple Cubs hit over 20 and Ned Williamson set the pre-Ruth record of 27. What is surprising - at first - is that it's more than anyone had hit in a season, with 35 HRA. I say at first because when you think about it, this makes sense. The man threw over 500 innings.
What's a little more surprising is that three more guys were at 27, tying Williamson. They all pitched between 338-349 IP, none of which was too extreme.
If you're curious, 35 remained the record until 1948, when Murray Dickson of the Cards allowed 39. Jeepers.