How is there a Japanese Player called Sadaharu Oh have more home runs then Hank Aaron?

Question

This japanese player has 868 homers.

Answer 1

Oh played for a long time with a lot of success. There are three important things to note about Oh when considering his HR record:
1. Oh batted fourth in the lineup, and the player that batted third (don't remember his name right now) was also a very good player with a lot of power. It was kinda like a Matthews/Aaron or McCovey/Mays situation. If you're too young for that, look at Papi and Manny. Japanese pitchers of the time were more concerned about saving "face" than winning games. Oh was intentionally walked very much when he actually should have been. that doesn't take away from his ability (he still had to hit the ball out of the park), but it helps explain why he got challenged more.

2. As mentioned earlier Japanese baseball differs greatly from American baseball, especially in the 50's through the 70's when Oh played. Smaller parks and varied talent help explain a lot of why Oh was as successful as he was.

3. While Ichiro's hitting success leads many American to believe that Japanese baseball players are as good as American players. Ichiro's style of hitting (singles, doubles, stolen bases, hustling, great arm) translate very well to the American game. On the other hand, power hitter has never translated well from American to Japanese baseball, and vice-versa. American players like Kevin Bass, Bob Horner, Tuffy Rhodes, etc...were exceptional power hitters in Japan, but they were unable to generate that power playing American baseball. On the flip side, Hideki Matsui, a VERY good ballplayer, hit 50+ HRs in Japan, but tops out in the States at around 25. He is still a very talented hitter (lots of doubles, rbi's, etc...), but his power doesn't translate the American baseball.

All and all, Oh's record stands for what it is: An impressive achievement in a league that is not in the United States. It's not better or worse, but it's different. It is also notable that several Japanese players have broken various American records. Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games record hase been broken in Japan, Rickey Henderson's stolen bases record has been broken in Japan, and Pete Rose's career hits record has been broken in Japan. These records are interesting to know about and read about, but they shouldn't be compared to American records without making the above considerations.

Answer 2

How? It's a COUNTING stat, a raw number, and in terms of that particular raw number, Oh beats Aaron.

However, we don't know any stats from Cuban baseball, and have very incomplete stats for the ***** Leagues. It is therefore entirely possible that somone else (perhaps Josh Gibson) actually had the most major league home runs, that Satchel Paige had more career strikeouts than Ryan's 5,714, etc.

You're surprised by this because no one ever seems to refer to any leagues other than the NL and AL. And that omission is very, very wrong.

BTW, Sadaharu Oh also managed the Japanese team to the World Baseball Classic ten months ago.

Answer 3

The all-time career record for home runs in a professional career is held by Japan's Sadaharu Oh with 868. In Major League Baseball, the record is 755, held by Hank Aaron since 1974. Only three other major league players have hit as many as 600: Barry Bonds (734), Babe Ruth (714), and Willie Mays (660). The single season record is 73, set by Barry Bonds in 2001. ***** League slugger Josh Gibson's baseball hall of fame plaque says he hit "almost 800" home runs in his career. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Gibson's lifetime home run total at 800 (although his true total is not known).

Answer 4

Baseball stadiums are much smaller in Japan and the pitching in the Japanese league (at BEST during his time) might be the equivalent to Double A minor leagues.

Answer 5

No, with the aid of smaller ballparks. No knock on Oh, although; he woudl have nonetheless been a 500 abode run guy and a bona fide hall of famer. Ruth and Aaron? no longer fairly. greater like an Ernie Banks- no shame in that; Banks develop right into a out of the undemanding participant.

Answer 6

He spent 22 years in the Japanese leagues and hit around 40 HR every year - that's how.

Answer 7

BUT, Japanese stadium are smaller.

Oh and Aaron has a home run derby and Hank mopped the floor with him

Answer 8

Because he played baseball in Japan for like 30 years.

Answer 9

He never faced American Pitchers, thats how. He was a very good hitter though I'm not going to take away anything from his talent but he did not face the most talented pitchers of his era.

Answer 10

Smaller parks in Japan and the pitching wasn't at the major league standard then.